DUCATI 800SS (2003-2004) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati Supersport and SS was a series of sports machines manufactured by Ducati from 1972 to 1981 and then again from 1988 to 2007. The bikes were powered by a four-stroke air-cooled desmodromic L-twin engine.

In 2003, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer introduced the Ducati 800SS, a smaller capacity but higher-revving version of the air-cooled Ducati SS model range from that year. The middle-class motorcycle was addressed to riders who wanted a compromise between raw power and agility.

The bike was famous for production racing in the American market, competing against other motorcycles, such as the Suzuki SV650. Also, in the UK, the bike was eligible to compete in the Minitwins series with clubs like BMCRC, North Gloucester Road Racing Club (NGRRC), and North East Motorcycle Racing Club (NEMCRC).

Visually, the 2003 Ducati 800SS had standard features, such as a full fairing with a single headlight unit (available with no fairing as well), a medium-sized windscreen, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab handle, an up-swept exhaust system, and five-spoke lightweight wheels.

As for performance, the 2003 Ducati 800SS had installed an 803cc four-stroke V-twin air-cooled engine fed by a fuel injection system, boasting an output power of 75 hp with a peak force at 8,250 rpm and 71 Nm (52 lb-ft) torque at 6,250 rpm.

The bike's engine was married to a six-speed manual transmission linked to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to 210 kph (131 mph).