Ducati SportClassic

The Ducati SportClassic family was launched at the end of the 2005. It recreates the original styles that came from the Ducati factory during the 1970s, motorcycles characterised by minimalist, sporting design with exposed frames and classic bodywork shapes typical of the 'Café Racer' era. To emphasis the unique style of these bikes, Ducati has applied modern engineering techniques and finishes to original component design, featuring plenty of chrome and polished finishes that literally mirror the beautiful features of the original motorcycles.

The entire Ducati SportClassic family combines retro style with modern technology and uses the fantastic Desmo 1000 DS engine. Delivering impressive torque, this air-cooled 90° L-Twin is the ideal engine for the SportsClassic models. The cylinders, with their traditional cooling fins and classic L-configuration, remind us of the original design by Taglioni. The 1000 Dual Spark Desmo two-valve engine, which complies with the Euro 3 standards, has electronically controlled fuel injection to guarantee smooth, linear power delivery, reliability and thrilling performance.

For 2008, the Ducati SportClassic family boasts three versions: the Ducati Sport 1000 biposto, with a removable rear seat-cover so as to retain that perfect Café Racer style, Ducati Sport 1000 S using a classically shaped half-fairing with central round headlamp in keeping with the 70s styling and the
GT 1000. As well as its two traditional colours of red and metallic-black/cream, the GT 1000 is now available in a new two-tone livery of classic silver & smoke grey, which recalls the original designs of this Ducati grand tourer.

SPORT 1000 biposto

In the 70s, the most sports-oriented motorcyclists modified their road bikes according to what they saw on the track. Including clip-ons handlebars, rear set footrests and aggressive colours, the aim was not just to make the bike look better but to enhance its performance also. And that's how the Café Racer style came into being. The Ducati Sport 1000 elegantly captures the audacious look of the motorcycles of that era.

The Ducati Sport 1000 biposto features raised clip-ons to make the riding position even more comfortable and retro style twin rear shocks. The removable passenger seat-cover, colour-matched with the bike, keeps the Ducati Sport 1000 biposto true Café Racer looks intact, but take it off and you'll find a comfortable pillion seat underneath.

The biposto version of the Ducati Sport 1000 embodies the same high quality and advanced technology as its monoposto counterpart. The classic wire-spoke wheels using lightweight Excel 17' aluminium alloy rims keep the overall weight of the front wheel assembly down to a minimum.

High-performance Marzocchi 43mm upside down forks up front and twin rear Sachs suspension units, which are fully adjustable for spring pre-load, and compression and rebound damping, take good care of the suspension duties. The twin rear shocks are fixed to a large 60mm diameter tubular steel swingarm, which features a simple chain adjuster system, reminiscent of those used on bikes of the 70s.

The front brake system consists of two Brembo floating callipers with 30 and 32mm diameter pistons which are thermally insulated. The discs are semi-floating with a diameter of 320mm and thickness of 4mm.

The rear brake system consists of a floating single piston Brembo caliper and a 245mm disc.

Finally, a new Euro 3 compliant exhaust system, which culminates in two symmetrical silencers on the right and left of the bike, completes the lay-out.

The Ducati Sport 1000 biposto is available in two different colours. Featuring the characteristic stripe down the middle of the fuel tank and tail section the colours are burnt yellow with black stripe and gloss black with white stripe, all two contrasting against black Trellis frames.

Colour Scheme

Tank / Frame / Wheels
Burnt Yellow with black stripe / Black / Aluminium
Black with white stripe / Black / Aluminium

The Family Electronics

All the Ducati SportClassic models have a layout for the electrical system, which helps to conceal wiring while giving users easy access to all main components of the system, specially located beneath the seat in a well designed storage compartment.

A compact Magneti Marelli 5AM engine control unit manages the fuel injection and ignition of the 1000 DS engine. This contains the hybrid power circuits and a re-programmable Flash EPROM. Among the innovative features is the use of a stepper motor for automatic control of idling speed, and the advanced PICO fuel injectors.

Finally the multi-function display has a software which includes a trip-fuel function allowing remaining mileage to be checked whenever the fuel reserve light is on and auto light off system function that automatically switches off the lights after 60 seconds of 'key-on' if the engine is not running.

The Family Engine

All the Ducati SportClassic family is equipped by the Desmodue 992cc air-cooled twin-cylinder Ducati 1000 Dual Spark engine, known and appreciated for its great torque and excellent reliability.

The powerful mid-range of this highly advanced power-unit perfectly underlines the true sporting character of all Ducati SportClassic models.

The Dual Spark ignition, with its "double flame front", offers more complete combustion, while simultaneously boosting mid-range power and reducing emission levels.

These are some of technical improvements of this engine that was designed to respect the Euro 3 anti pollution laws.

The cylinder head has camshafts which rotate on bearing faces machined into the casting in order to reduce the overall dimensions, weight and the number of moving parts, while improving heat dispersal.

A closer look at the 1000 DS engine reveals a reduced angle between the intake and exhaust valves which allows for a more compact combustion chamber, reducing the volume and thus obtaining improved combustion. The improved efficiency of the combustion chamber allows the engine to run on a leaner air/fuel mixture without compromising performance at high temperatures and significantly reduces emissions of hydrocarbons (HC).

The crankshaft is of a more compact design and the oil passages have been strategically repositioned in areas less critical for its structural strength. The result is a crankshaft that is more rigid and with less flex, making for less vibration and improved reliability.