Ducati Sport 1000

If you object to the idea of meeting new people and discussing motorcycles or yore as they get misty-eyed, do not buy a Ducati Sport 1000. It's an exceptional-looking bike with lots of styling cues from days gone by and you'll find no shortage of new friends willing to debate its merits.

According to the factory blurb: "Ducati's first big sportbikes - the superbikes of their era - date back to the early 1970s. They raced and they won; they were the joy of the most sport-oriented and fanatical riders, and now they are sought-after collectors' items. Now, as then, they are seen as fine examples of style and performance, but above all, they are magnificent motorcycles to look at and to ride.

"These bikes were made with the heart and the head, so they were minimalist machines with few frills but plenty of thrills to ride."

The Sport is one of a new breed of retros produced by Ducati, Harley (35th anniversary Super Glide) and Triumph (Scrambler), which provide a modern take on machines many older riders either owned in their heyday, or more likely lusted after. Personally, I'm all for it -- they provide an interesting new niche with good performance and without the often cranky habits of their forbears.

In the case of the Ducati, you get the company's air-cooled 1000 twin, two-valve, powerplant fitted with Marelli fuel injection.

 It's used in a variety of the Bologna firm's models and supplies a claimed 92 horses, which is quite enough to provide lively performance.

In this case we found the fuel injection and overall throttle response to be faultless, while offering a meaty mid-range good low urge and adequate if unspectacular top end. In other words it's well sorted for road use.

That lot is tied to a crisp six-speed gearbox with a clutch that offers good progression if a fairly heavy action.

It's tied to the ground by a 43mm upside down fork, which could probably get away with lighter spring and damping rates - it was a little firm in bumpy conditions - and a well-sorted single shock with full adjustment out the back. The swingarm is a curious bit of kit, with a lovely curved design on one side and is something of a work of art in its own right.

Tyres are Pirelli Phantoms - replicas of the tyres which dominated production racing in the later seventies and early eighties. I have to say I'd prefer a set of Pirelli Diablos, as the Phantoms weren't great on feedback and the front tended to bump steer in some situations.

The riding position features low handlebars with a wide spread and might challenge the wrists and necks of older riders - it's a classic sport/cafe racer position and I suspect bar risers will be popular among owners.

 Handlebar-end mirrors are part of the kit. They give a good rear view, but make the machine fairly wide in traffic - again very much a throwback to the seventies.

The single seat is comfortable enough and the overall finish is good. There are plenty of good detail touches that make it special. I can see keen owners looking for more delicate mufflers to replace the rather large originals, and perhaps some way of minimising the large number pate carrier at the rear.

As you might expect, it's great fun to ride. The beat of the twin and minimalist approach to the styling add zest to a bike that's got plenty of potential on your local sport road. Price is substantial but far from outrageous and I can easily see an owner being very happy with the toy over the long term.

By Guy Allen