The 900SS Ducati is the Italian Marque's largest capacity 'SuperSports' bike. Ducati refers to it's 748 and 996 range as 'HyperSports' models and these two are clearly a step above the 'SS' range in performance, with price tags to match. 

A two-valve engine is fitted to the 900SS with reasonable bottom and mid-range performance but a lack of a top end urge. Shifting at anything much over around 7,500rpm is wasting time as you are well out of the torque curve by then.  Short shifting is the way to make good progress.  Check out the dyno charts.

If you are a power fiend this bike will not suit you in the slightest, any Japanese sportsbike of 600cc or above would comprehensively blow its doors off when acceleration enters the equation. The engine does make good bottom end power but the vibes that shudder through the bike when trying to use the bottom end pretty much render it as a pointless exercise. When trying to pull from 2,500 or 3,000rpm so much vibration goes through the bike that it is hard to read the gauges, not to mention use the mirrors. 

Some people refer to this as character, I could think of less kinder terms... The injection system is also prone to having a cough in the air box every now and then.

The engine did receive some updates for the 2001 model year which included totally air-cooled cylinders, split timing belt rollers for enhanced set-up accuracy, new KTM oil cooler, new-design clutch master cylinder, new Bosch timing sensor, improved ECU mapping and a new starter motor ratio.

But it must be said that given a tight set of twisties the bottom end of the Ducati will allow it to stay with most bikes. In this situation less experienced riders may well do better on the 900SS than they would on something like a 600-4. The Ducati would probably also improve the skills of the rider as to get the best out of it you have to ride well and concentrate on being smooth and flowing rather than the more frantic riding style that the small Japanese fours lean towards.

The chassis is taut and reasonably hard sprung, with most road irregularities making themselves felt, sometimes a little too harshly. On smooth blacktop the stiff suspension is a big plus but when any bumps enter the equation a rider will feel every one of them. A lot of weight is placed on the wrists/hands and this discomfort is compounded by the hard suspension. Pillion accommodation is typical sportsbike fare, which is of course uncomfortable but no worse than most other sportsbikes. It seems a lot of thought has been put into the design of the seat, which is well padded and excellently shaped, but the harsh ride makes it work hard. With some suspension work to make it a bit more compliant I think it would be quite comfortable in the butt department but the wrists are another matter. I am quite a heavy rider and found the suspension a little stiff so I would think a person of average weight would feel it even more.

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