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Ducati 900SL Superlight MKI

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Make Model

Ducati 900 SL Superlight MKI

Year

1992

Engine

Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven

Capacity

904 cc / 55.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke 92 x 68 mm
Compression Ratio 9.2:1
Cooling System Air cooled

Induction

Mikuni BDST 38-B67

Spark Plug

Champion RA6HC

Ignition

Kokusan electronic inductive discharge

Battery

12V 16Ah

Starting

Electric

Max Power

57 kW / 78 hp @ 7000 rpm 

Max Torque

84 Nm / 8.6 kgf-m / 62 ft-lb @ 6400 rpm

Clutch

Dry, multiplate

Transmission

6 Speed

Primary Drive Ratio

2.000:1 (31/62)

Gear Ratios

1st 2.466 / 2nd 1.764 / 3rd 1.350 / 4th 1.091 / 5th 0.958 / 6th 0.857:1

Final Drive Ratio

2.466:1 (15/37)

Final Drive

Chain

Front Suspension

41 mm Showa fully adjustable inverted fork

Front Wheel Travel

120 mm / 4.7 in

Rear Suspension

Progressive type with adjustable Showa GD monoshock

Rear Wheel Travel

125 mm / 4.9 in

Front Brakes

2 x 320 mm discs

Rear Brakes

Single 245 mm disc

Front Tyre

120/70-17

Rear Tyre

170/60-17

Dry Weight

180 kg / 397 lbs

Rake

25o

Trail

104 mm / 4.1 in

Dimensions

Length: 2030 mm / 79.9 in
Width:     730 mm / 28.7 in
Height:  1125 mm / 44.3 in

Wheelbase

1410 mm / 55.5 in

Seat Height

780mm / 30.7in

Dry Weight

182 kg / 401 lbs

Wet Weight

192.5 kg / 424 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

17.5 L / 4.6 US gal / 3.8 Imp gal

Consumption Average

5.7 L/100 km / 17.5 km/l / 41.2 US mpg / 49.4 Impmpg

Braking 60 km/h - 0

12.9 m / 42.3 ft

Braking 100 km/h - 0

36.7 m / 120.4 ft

Standing ¼ Mile  

11.5 sec / 186.8 km/h / 116.1 mph

Top Speed

221.1 km/h / 137.3 mph

Colours

Bronze frame, red or yellow
Manual Bevelheaven.com
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When Ducati began using carbon fiber on their bikes, they predictably used it on a limited edition, single-seat Ducati 900 Super Sport. Built from 1992 to 1996 as the Ducati 900 Superlight, the bike used the aforementioned carbon fiber material on a number of its components, particularly the mudguards and the clutch cover.

Initially, the Italian bike maker wanted to build 500 models of the bike, but bumped that up to 900 pieces after incessant public demand. After the 900 Superlight enjoyed success in the market, Ducati built the Superlight II in 1993, replacing the composite wheels with Brembo units and adding a floating rear disc brakes setup. They also fitted in a powerful 904 cc V-twin SOHC Desmo engine that produced 73 horsepower and was mated to a six-speed transmission.

In launching the 900 Superlight in 1992. Ducati revealed a new-found ability to broaden its range with a new bike that was closely related to an existing model. The Superlight was a sportier version of the 900SS. the air/oil-cooled, two-valvcs-per-cylinder V-twin that offered a simpler and less expensive alternative to the Bologna firm's more powerful and exotic eight-valve superbikes.  Ducati hardly needed to produce another new model, because the 900SS itself had been successfully restyled and updated only the year before. But the Bologna firm saw the opportunity to create a significantly more sporty bike with little extra effort. Hence the arrival of the Superlight, complete with more aggressive image, reduced weight and no room for a pillion.  With the exception of a ventilated cover for its dry clutch the engine was unchanged.

That meant a 904cc. 90-degree. SOHC desmodromic V-twin, cooled by oil and air, and putting out a 73bhp at 7000rpm. (Ducati by now measured power in a more conservative way than in previous years.) Much of the chassis was also borrowed from the 900SS, including the steel ladder frame, Showa upside-down forks, and rear shock unit from the same Japanese firm.  The Superlight got its name from its weight-reducing chassis modifications.

 These included 17-inch Marvic wheels that combined aluminium rims with magnesium spokes and hubs. The front mudguard was made from carbon-fibre instead of plastic. The rest of the bodywork was shared with the 900SS, apart from the single-seat which, in conjunction with the removal of pillion footrests, allowed the twin tailpipes to be raised slightly.

Raw and racy feel

For many riders, one of the most appealing things about the oil/air-cooled Ducatis was the way in which they managed to retain so much of the older bevel-drive V-twins' raw feel despite ever-tightening regulations. When the Superlight's throttle was blipped at a standstill, the noise and feel left no doubt that this bike was a big V-twin. 

The view was suitably simple too: foam-mounted clocks, and multi-adjustable forks poking through an alloy top yoke. The single-seat's padding was thinner than that of the standard SS, but those bars were high enough to make the Superlight reasonably comfortable. Its dry weight was just 3881b (176kg), a reduction of 151b (7kg) on the SS, which helped make the bike manageable at slow speed despite its limited steering lock.  That light weight was partly due to the lean, basic nature of the engine, whose relatively modest peak output meant that the Superlight had a top speed of just under 140mph (225km/h). at least 10mph (16km/h) down on rival Japanese 750s. But the 900's combination of lightness and the way that power was produced allowed it to stay with all but the fastest opposition on the road.

The motor was rough below 4000rpm but from then on produced storming mid-range torque that made the bike very easy to ride. Handling was as good as might have been expected of a light, moderately powerful bike with a rigid frame and high-quality suspension. Steering was effortless and neutral, giving the Ducati the feel of a middleweight. Its upside-down forks were well-sprung without being harsh, and gave a finely controlled ride. Despite its relative simplicity, the cantilever rear-end also worked well. And the Superlight's front brake was powerful and progressive thanks to big twin discs and new Brembo Gold Line calipers. 

 The advantage of the Superlight's reduced weight was not dramatic, and in purely functional terms the bike offered only a slight edge over the 900SS. It was also considerably more expensive. But the Superlight was a worthy addition to Ducati"s range, providing even more of the raw, characterful performance and fine handling that had made the 900SS so popular.

Source of review: Fast Bikes by Roland Brown