Ducati SuperSport
Encyclopedia
The Ducati SuperSport and SS are names applied to a series of Pantah
based air-cooled four stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90-degree V-Twin
motorcycles manufactured from 1988 onwards. A limited edition SuperSport called the SuperLight was sold in 1992. The name harked back to the round case 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport, and the 1975 square case 750 and 900 Super Sport. The later one-word spelling was only applied to the belt drive (Pantah) based models.
) with a for-production based 750 cc, desmodromic valve
v-twin
motor developed by Fabio Taglioni
. Imola was a traditionally fast circuit that placed a premium on high-speed handling rather than brute horsepower. The Super Sport prototypes used for the inaugural race were developed using a 750 GT based engine and frame and earned instant fame when legendary racer Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari
finished first and second, respectively, immediately elevating Ducati from a company known for "quaintly individual" motorcycles and into the superbike market.
camshaft
made the bike uneconomical to produce, thus the 1974 model is the only round-case 90-degree v-twin with desmodromic valve gear. However the 1974 model bike is considered to be the most significant production bike in Ducati's history, mostly because it offered the highest standards of handing and performance available at that time and essentially saved Ducati from extinction.
Most of the subsequent changes made to the Super Sport model were to comply with global legislation. Quieter mufflers, relocated shifting and rear brake and new foot pegs. The biggest improvement was the redesign of the kick-starter. On the 1975 model the kick starter would rotate around and shift the transmission into first gear. If the bike was not on the center-stand the rider could potentially have a very unpleasant surprise.
Because the price of the 750 Super Sport was very similar to 900, very few 750s were produced with the majority of them being shipped to Australia, Germany or staying in Italy for racing applications.
By 1978 the bike looked identical, but several significant improvements had made their way into the motor making them more reliable and solving problems with engine cranks breaking. The electronics also improved as well as some minor timing tweaks making the bike run more efficiently. Most notable was a majorly redesigned gear shifter that made the bike a lot easier for owners to live with the bike. Most 1978 900 Super Sports also came with a dual seat and lockable tool box. The solo seat was available as an option. The 1978 model bike is considered to be the finest iteration of the bevel drive square case Super Sports. The 1978 900 and 1979 750s were the last to retain close links with the Imola racers and the last to come with the "old fashioned" spoke wheels
. it was also in 1978 that the Isle of Man TT
Formula 1 race was won by a 900 Super Sport.
In 1979 the Super Sport's were painted black with gold accents to appeal to the British market. Ugly cast wheels replaced the stunning Borrani
alloy rims and a Mike Hailwood
Replica was made available in very limited numbers painted in lavish green and red schemes. The new changes, specifically the black and gold paint and cast wheels were very successful at making an aging design look more modern. The 1980 model stayed essentially the same with no notable changes. Essentially, the Super Sport was being transitioned into the Mike Hailwood Replica.
Into the early 1980s the fuel tank became less angular and more rounded while the tail section was revised to look more modern with a duck-tail sweep. Side covers were integrated into the tail-section and swoopy paint lines tried to connect the design together. All in all, the early 80's Super Sports were somewhat uninspiring and were met with limited success. In 1982, the Super Sport was replaced, mostly in name only, by the S2.
SuperSport used a Pantah
based 904 cc air-cooled L-twin, 2V "Desmodue" engine with crankcase
s derived from the 851
motor. It was mounted in a tubular trellis frame. The resurrection was due largely to Ducati being bought out by Cagiva
and the first reborn SuperSport was released as a 750 Sport. It met with failure due to its 16-inch wheels and a kludgy Weber carburetor and cracking swingarms.
From 1988 to 1991, the model was called a 900 SuperSport, and had a full fairing
. The 1989 Supersport received an revised air/oil cooled motor from the 906cc Ducati Paso
incorporating many changes to the Pantah motor, including a six-speed gear box. From 1989 to 1990 the motorcycle was fitted with a Marzocchi
rear suspension
, then first changed to Showa
, and then to better quality Marzocchi damping in 1990. Marzocchi M1BB front forks were used until 1993, when they were replaced by Showa upside down units. The Marelli Digiplex ignition was used in early models, and then replaced by a Kokusan ignition.
were used on the Supersport vastly improving braking performance. All new bodywork and a pivoting fuel tank were elegantly shaped. The revised Supersports were met with immediate success and became wildly popular. Even though the 1991 Supersport was extremely well developed, Ducati would continue to refine the bike over the years.
From 1991 to 1998, the model was called a 900SS, and was available with a full(SS) or half fairing(SS/CR). 1993 saw the addition to the SS/SL (Superlight). In 1994, to further differentiate the 900 from smaller Supersports additional models were released in addition the Superlight. The 900 SS/SP (Sport Production) was offered to the North American market only. This model had carbon fiber fenders and clutch cover, sound dampening material, adjustable Showa suspension, and an aluminum swingarm. The Superlight had the same options as the SS SP but with a single seat and upswept mufflers. The CR's came with a non adjustable suspension, a steel swingarm, and a narrower 4.5-inch rear wheel and 160 section rear tire. Many riders feel the aluminum swingarms are more desirable, however, aluminum swingarms on older Supersports and Monsters are prone to cracking.
In 1997, as Supersport sales were declining due to the popularity of the Ducati Monster
and Ducati Superbike lines, Ducati attempted to keep the model alive with a few final changes. Yellow was added as a color option, an additional air intake was added as well as new, bolder graphics; namely the "Ducati" emblazoned across the entire side of the Supersport body panel.
In 1998, only 200 red and 200 yellow SS/CR's were imported to the United States. They featured the last of the Cagiva graphics and elephant but had 1998 spec. motors with new pistons, cylinders and lower mounted oil cooler. A final series Supersport the SS/FE (Final Edition) was also available in 98, but featured the new graphics, came only in silver with black wheels, had the single seat and upswept exhausts of the Superlight and represented the last carburated Supersport.
front discs, carbon fibre
bits, and lightweight Marvic wheels and guards. In 1993 the vented clutch
cover, fully floating Brembo front discs
, and lightweight Marvic wheels and guards disappeared from the Mark 2 SuperLight, and there was now only the fully floating rear brake to differentiate it from the 900 SuperSport.
and fuel injection
introduced. The SS was available with 750 cc and 900 cc engines, both offered with either full fairing or half fairing. Also offered, in flat black, was a lower spec "Sport" model. In 2003 Ducati replaced the 750 and 900 with three new variations: 620 cc, 800 cc and 1000 cc. Only the 620 was offered with half fairing. After that the Supersport family was slowly reduced until in 2007, with only the 1,000 cc version available, it finally came to an end. The 1999 model was one of the first Ducatis designed by Pierre Terblanche
and met with very limited success based on the bikes controversial aesthetics. The SS naming convention was eventually dropped and the line evolved into the SportClassic
line that includes another Paul Smart replica, the Paul Smart 1000LE
, the Sport 1000 and GT 1000.
Ducati Pantah
The Pantah was the first of the belt-driven camshaft Ducati motors, the first generation of the current Ducati V twins. First shown December 1979, it came on the market as the 1980 500SL and the last of the line 650SL was sold in 1986...
based air-cooled four stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90-degree V-Twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
motorcycles manufactured from 1988 onwards. A limited edition SuperSport called the SuperLight was sold in 1992. The name harked back to the round case 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport, and the 1975 square case 750 and 900 Super Sport. The later one-word spelling was only applied to the belt drive (Pantah) based models.
Miglia di Imola, 1972
Modern Ducati, as well as the Super Sport can be traced back to April 1972 when Ducati won the Imola 200 (the European equivalent of the Daytona 200Daytona 200
The Daytona 200 is a 68-lap, motorcycle race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.-History:The race evolved from a beach racing venue in 1937 to the Daytona International Speedway course in 1961....
) with a for-production based 750 cc, desmodromic valve
Desmodromic valve
A desmodromic valve is a reciprocating engine valve that is positively closed by a cam and leverage system, rather than by a more conventional spring...
v-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
motor developed by Fabio Taglioni
Fabio Taglioni
Fabio Taglioni was an Italian engineer.Born in Lugo di Romagna, he was chief designer and technical director of Ducati from 1954 until 1989. His desmodromic L-twin design is still used in all current Ducati motorcycle engines...
. Imola was a traditionally fast circuit that placed a premium on high-speed handling rather than brute horsepower. The Super Sport prototypes used for the inaugural race were developed using a 750 GT based engine and frame and earned instant fame when legendary racer Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari
Bruno Spaggiari
Bruno Spaggiari is a former Italian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His best year was in 1960 when he finished fourth in the 125cc world championship. Spaggiari won the first Grand Prix he entered at the 1958 125cc Nations Grand Prix held at Monza, but he was never able to win another...
finished first and second, respectively, immediately elevating Ducati from a company known for "quaintly individual" motorcycles and into the superbike market.
Super Sport Prototype
The first official Super Sport prototypes used the 750 Sport and 750 GT models for their basis, but featured bodywork styled along the lines of the Imola bikes. The frame was painted blue while the fiberglass gas tank, covers and top half of the fairing where silver. The gas tank also featured a unique translucent strip to be able to quickly see the fuel level.1974 Super Sport
1974 marked the first year of mass production of Super Sport. The bike featured 10.5:1 compression ratio, a voluminous 6 gallon gas tank and a claimed weight of 333 lb (151 kg). A mere 401 1974 Super Sport's were produced and the bike immediately set new standards for production motorcycles and had unique styling, but for all intents and purposes it was a pure production racer with the minimum of concessions to make it street legal. Unfortunately, the complicated bevel gear-drivenBevel gear
Bevel gears are gears where the axes of the two shafts intersect and the tooth-bearing faces of the gears themselves are conically shaped.Bevel gears are most often mounted on shafts that are 90 degrees apart, but can be designed to work at other angles as well...
camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
made the bike uneconomical to produce, thus the 1974 model is the only round-case 90-degree v-twin with desmodromic valve gear. However the 1974 model bike is considered to be the most significant production bike in Ducati's history, mostly because it offered the highest standards of handing and performance available at that time and essentially saved Ducati from extinction.
1975–1981 Square Case Super Sport
In 1975, two versions of the Super Sport were made available based on the 860 cc "square-case" 90-degree twin cylinder motor; the full 860 cc version coined the 900 and a sleeved down 750. 250 versions of each were produced but the 750 and 900 are virtually identical. The 1975 Super Sport continued to use the right-side gear shift despite the 1974 U.S. regulation that all bikes have the gear shifting on the left side of the engine. Despite this a handful of right side Super Sports have made it into the United States.Most of the subsequent changes made to the Super Sport model were to comply with global legislation. Quieter mufflers, relocated shifting and rear brake and new foot pegs. The biggest improvement was the redesign of the kick-starter. On the 1975 model the kick starter would rotate around and shift the transmission into first gear. If the bike was not on the center-stand the rider could potentially have a very unpleasant surprise.
Because the price of the 750 Super Sport was very similar to 900, very few 750s were produced with the majority of them being shipped to Australia, Germany or staying in Italy for racing applications.
By 1978 the bike looked identical, but several significant improvements had made their way into the motor making them more reliable and solving problems with engine cranks breaking. The electronics also improved as well as some minor timing tweaks making the bike run more efficiently. Most notable was a majorly redesigned gear shifter that made the bike a lot easier for owners to live with the bike. Most 1978 900 Super Sports also came with a dual seat and lockable tool box. The solo seat was available as an option. The 1978 model bike is considered to be the finest iteration of the bevel drive square case Super Sports. The 1978 900 and 1979 750s were the last to retain close links with the Imola racers and the last to come with the "old fashioned" spoke wheels
Wire wheels
The rims of wire wheels are connected to their hubs by wire spokes. Although these wires are generally stiffer than a typical wire rope, they function mechanically the same as tensioned flexible wires, keeping the rim true while supporting applied loads.Wire wheels are used on most bicycles and...
. it was also in 1978 that the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
Formula 1 race was won by a 900 Super Sport.
In 1979 the Super Sport's were painted black with gold accents to appeal to the British market. Ugly cast wheels replaced the stunning Borrani
Borrani
Ruote Borrani S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of wheels, famous for supplying single-nut lockable wire wheels to many Italian racing cars and luxury cars up until the 1960s....
alloy rims and a Mike Hailwood
Mike Hailwood
Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, MBE, GM was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability...
Replica was made available in very limited numbers painted in lavish green and red schemes. The new changes, specifically the black and gold paint and cast wheels were very successful at making an aging design look more modern. The 1980 model stayed essentially the same with no notable changes. Essentially, the Super Sport was being transitioned into the Mike Hailwood Replica.
Into the early 1980s the fuel tank became less angular and more rounded while the tail section was revised to look more modern with a duck-tail sweep. Side covers were integrated into the tail-section and swoopy paint lines tried to connect the design together. All in all, the early 80's Super Sports were somewhat uninspiring and were met with limited success. In 1982, the Super Sport was replaced, mostly in name only, by the S2.
Ducati SuperSport and SS (1988–2007)
Announced in 1988, the DucatiDucati Motor Holding
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is a motorcycle manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing.- History :...
SuperSport used a Pantah
Ducati Pantah
The Pantah was the first of the belt-driven camshaft Ducati motors, the first generation of the current Ducati V twins. First shown December 1979, it came on the market as the 1980 500SL and the last of the line 650SL was sold in 1986...
based 904 cc air-cooled L-twin, 2V "Desmodue" engine with crankcase
Crankcase
In an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating type, the crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft. The enclosure forms the largest cavity in the engine and is located below the cylinder, which in a multicylinder engine are usually integrated into one or several cylinder blocks...
s derived from the 851
Ducati 851
The Ducati 851 was a Ducati motorcycle, with liquid cooling and four valve heads, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time....
motor. It was mounted in a tubular trellis frame. The resurrection was due largely to Ducati being bought out by Cagiva
Cagiva
Cagiva is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It was founded in 1950 by Giovanni Castiglioni in Varese, originally producing small metal components. It went into the motorcycle industry in 1978. The name is a portmanteau derived from the founder and the founding location, i.e. CAstiglioni GIovanni...
and the first reborn SuperSport was released as a 750 Sport. It met with failure due to its 16-inch wheels and a kludgy Weber carburetor and cracking swingarms.
From 1988 to 1991, the model was called a 900 SuperSport, and had a full fairing
Motorcycle fairing
A motorcycle fairing is a shell placed over the frame of some motorcycles, especially racing motorcycles and sport bikes, with the primary purpose to reduce air drag. The secondary functions are the protection of the rider from airborne hazards and wind-induced hypothermia and of the engine...
. The 1989 Supersport received an revised air/oil cooled motor from the 906cc Ducati Paso
Ducati Paso
The Ducati Paso was introduced in 1986 with the slogan "Il nostro passato ha un grande futuro" . The name was in honour of racer Renzo Pasolini, nicknamed "Paso", who died on 20 May 1973 in an accident at the Monza race track during the Grand Prix of Italy.-Background:The Cagiva company, founded...
incorporating many changes to the Pantah motor, including a six-speed gear box. From 1989 to 1990 the motorcycle was fitted with a Marzocchi
Marzocchi
Marzocchi is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1949 by the two brothers Stefano and Guglielmo Marzocchi. The company profile includes hydraulic industrial pumps and suspension components for motorcycles and bicycles...
rear suspension
Suspension (motorcycle)
A motorcycle's suspension serves a dual purpose: contributing to the vehicle's handling and braking, and providing safety and comfort by keeping the vehicle's passengers comfortably isolated from road noise, bumps and vibrations....
, then first changed to Showa
Showa Corporation
is a manufacturer of high-performance automotive, motorcycle and outboard suspension systems based in Gyoda, Saitama in Japan.Founded in October 1938 in Japan's drive to develop its military capability in preparation for World War II, Showa supplied aircraft suspension and landing systems to...
, and then to better quality Marzocchi damping in 1990. Marzocchi M1BB front forks were used until 1993, when they were replaced by Showa upside down units. The Marelli Digiplex ignition was used in early models, and then replaced by a Kokusan ignition.
1991–1998
The 1991 Supersports were produced with white chrome molybdenum steel frames and white wheels. The swingarms used needle bearings instead of bushings as in the past. Brakes from the Ducati 851Ducati 851
The Ducati 851 was a Ducati motorcycle, with liquid cooling and four valve heads, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time....
were used on the Supersport vastly improving braking performance. All new bodywork and a pivoting fuel tank were elegantly shaped. The revised Supersports were met with immediate success and became wildly popular. Even though the 1991 Supersport was extremely well developed, Ducati would continue to refine the bike over the years.
From 1991 to 1998, the model was called a 900SS, and was available with a full(SS) or half fairing(SS/CR). 1993 saw the addition to the SS/SL (Superlight). In 1994, to further differentiate the 900 from smaller Supersports additional models were released in addition the Superlight. The 900 SS/SP (Sport Production) was offered to the North American market only. This model had carbon fiber fenders and clutch cover, sound dampening material, adjustable Showa suspension, and an aluminum swingarm. The Superlight had the same options as the SS SP but with a single seat and upswept mufflers. The CR's came with a non adjustable suspension, a steel swingarm, and a narrower 4.5-inch rear wheel and 160 section rear tire. Many riders feel the aluminum swingarms are more desirable, however, aluminum swingarms on older Supersports and Monsters are prone to cracking.
In 1997, as Supersport sales were declining due to the popularity of the Ducati Monster
Ducati Monster
The Monster is a motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati Motor Holding in Bologna, Italy since 1993...
and Ducati Superbike lines, Ducati attempted to keep the model alive with a few final changes. Yellow was added as a color option, an additional air intake was added as well as new, bolder graphics; namely the "Ducati" emblazoned across the entire side of the Supersport body panel.
In 1998, only 200 red and 200 yellow SS/CR's were imported to the United States. They featured the last of the Cagiva graphics and elephant but had 1998 spec. motors with new pistons, cylinders and lower mounted oil cooler. A final series Supersport the SS/FE (Final Edition) was also available in 98, but featured the new graphics, came only in silver with black wheels, had the single seat and upswept exhausts of the Superlight and represented the last carburated Supersport.
Ducati SuperLight
The 900 SuperLight appeared in 1992 as a limited edition model SuperSport. upswept exhaust pipes, vented clutch cover, fully floating BremboBrembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
front discs, carbon fibre
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
bits, and lightweight Marvic wheels and guards. In 1993 the vented clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
cover, fully floating Brembo front discs
Disc brake
The disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
, and lightweight Marvic wheels and guards disappeared from the Mark 2 SuperLight, and there was now only the fully floating rear brake to differentiate it from the 900 SuperSport.
1999–2007
In 1999, the Supersport had a major facelift. The fairing was redesigned after the Ducati SupermonoDucati Supermono
The Ducati Supermono is a lightweight, single-cylinder racing motorcycle made by Ducati. It is named for the Supermono racing class. The Supermono is arguably one of the most collectable Ducatis in any era...
and fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
introduced. The SS was available with 750 cc and 900 cc engines, both offered with either full fairing or half fairing. Also offered, in flat black, was a lower spec "Sport" model. In 2003 Ducati replaced the 750 and 900 with three new variations: 620 cc, 800 cc and 1000 cc. Only the 620 was offered with half fairing. After that the Supersport family was slowly reduced until in 2007, with only the 1,000 cc version available, it finally came to an end. The 1999 model was one of the first Ducatis designed by Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche is a South African motorcycle designer born in 1956 in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. He started his career in advertising but felt the need to move into the design world. After moving to Germany and working with Volkswagen design he worked at Cagiva's Research Center at San Marino...
and met with very limited success based on the bikes controversial aesthetics. The SS naming convention was eventually dropped and the line evolved into the SportClassic
Ducati SportClassic
The SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycles first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year...
line that includes another Paul Smart replica, the Paul Smart 1000LE
Ducati PaulSmart1000LE
The Ducati PaulSmart1000LE is a retro styled "naked" sportbike built by Ducati to commemorate Paul Smart's win at the Imola 200 km race in 1972, a win that helped define Ducati's future approach to racing...
, the Sport 1000 and GT 1000.