DUCATI Pantah 500 (1979-1983) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati Pantah was a sports bike manufactured by Ducati from 1980 to 1986. The motorcycle was presented in December 1979 at the Milan Bike Show and released into the market in 1980 as the 500SL. The last model was seen in 1986 as the 650SL.

The prototype presented at the Milan Bike Show differed from earlier models, with features such as a trellis frame, a suspended engine acting as a stressed member, and a swingarm bolted to the rear of the crankcase.

In 1980, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati Pantah 500, a sports machine developed from the last GP500 racers of 1973. Compared to the 600cc TT2 and 750cc TT1, the Pantah was lighter, had a shorter wheelbase, and was built around a trellis frame that became a trademark Ducati feature.

In the visual department, the bike had standard features, such as an upper fairing with a round headlight, a one-piece dual seat, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, a center stand, and six-spoke lightweight wheels.

The bike was built around a tubular steel trellis frame with a 35 mm Marzocchi fork on the front and two three-way adjustable side-mounted Marzocchi shock absorbers on the rear, offering optimum suspension and handling.

In the performance department, the 1980 Ducati Pantah 500 had installed a 499cc four-stroke V-twin engine fed by two Dell'Orto carburetors, boasting 50 hp with a peak force at 8,500 rpm.