Description
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1998 Ducati 900SS Final Edition. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Ducati’s Supersport may be back; however, over two decades ago, the iconic air-cooled SS line came to a halt with a one-year run of 800 bikes. Expectedly, Ducati called it the Final Edition, or FE, for short. All of the bikes got silver paint as well as some tasty upgrades like an Öhlins rear shock. 300 of the 800 examples were sold in the US.
Ducati started with the Superlight variant of the SS, and then — in addition to the silver paint — added a whole bunch of carbon fiber: the mudguard, the chain guard, the rear fender, the countershaft drive cover, and even the dashboard cover. Moreover, they raised the pipes for more cornering clearance, fitted new cast iron floating rotors, and added a new voltage regulator and alternator. Some riders believe this is the best of the 900SS breed simply because Ducati had sorted out any issues by the end.
A 1998 review from Motorcyclist had this to say – “Call it irrational. Call it delusional, but beware. Any nonlinear-thinking, creative-type human mind is susceptible to the desmo’s aural brainwashing. Flaws become character. Freeways and constipated surface streets submerge beneath the Ducati’s sporting dignity, and all that matters is tracing as many gnarly little lines on the map as the weekend will allow.”
This example is VIN: ZDM1LC4M1WB027252. The seller acquired the bike from a private party in Marina Del Rey, California approximately two months ago. He states that he is selling because “I can’t ride it. I’m waiting to have shoulder surgery. I’ve been looking at these as well as Superlights and SPs and just wanted to have one in the garage. It is just uncomfortable (for me) to ride. Im old and am spoiled by my Pikes Peak. This bike presents excellent with no stories. Runs phenomenal. Starts up immediately with 2 or so seconds of choke and has nice constant idle immediately after choke is turned off.”
It is #248.
During his ownership, the seller has covered approximately 150 miles. The odometer shows 17,366 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller states that the bike had a full service with a belt replacement performed by Motoservizio (Scott Waters) 3/24. He adds that “the low fuel light stays on, even when the bike is full.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 2211/1116
Tire % Front/ Rear: 80/80
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 32/34
Brake % Front/ Rear : 90/90
Front hydraulic fluid: OK
Rear Hydraulic Fluid: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid: OK
Oil: LEVEL OK/ COLOR OK
Coolant: AIR
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: ONLY REAR WORKS
Plate Light: OK
Kill :OK
Horn: OK
Fork: OK
Shock/s: OK
Final Drive: OK
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.5
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 12.8
Notes:
• FRONT BRAKE SWITCH INTERMITTENT
• CHAIN NEEDS SERVICE
• OUTER FORK TUBES HAVE SCRATCHES
Recommended Repairs:
• CHAIN SERVICE
• REPLACE FRONT BRAKE SWITCH
Modifications:
There appears to be some touch-up work on the right-hand fairing. Per the seller, “paint appears to be mostly original (I did not take meter readings). Bike is a solid 7 (most people would say it is a 8 or 9). Absolutely no indications of prior crash damage. Retains inner fairing pads on lowers.”
Sparx slip-ons.
Open clutch cover.
Sargent seat.
Steering dampner.
Double bubble windscreen.
Aftermarket handlebars.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT016 tires that have aged out.
The sale includes two keys, the original owner’s manual, the stock exhaust, some spark plugs and other spares, a set of spare mirrors, as well as the stock clutch cover, and other take-off parts. Per the seller, “I have been told that the original pipes have been cored out.”
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Forks are scratched from the top down to about 1 foot.”
“Various small paint chips.”
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Ducati is offered on a clean California title with current registration through August 2024.
Have any 900SS stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
