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 S

Following the '70s trend for uncompromising individualism and enhanced performance, Ducati introduces the Ducati Sport 1000 S with a classic aerodynamic half-fairing which takes its styling cues directly from the 'Race' models of the era.

It may be a biposto, but the Ducati Sport 1000 S retains all its hallmark Café Racer styling, with the added benefit that you can enjoy its impressive performance either alone or two-up.

The colour scheme retains the characteristic white stripe, while offering red on red for the frame and fairing. The aluminium spoked-wheels, hubs, exhaust system and a number of other engine parts, are all black creating stark contrast with the red frame and fairing. This effect gives the new Ducati Sport 1000 S an attractive and decidedly aggressive look, without compromising its retro form and charm. The removable rear seat cover contributes to the typical Café Racer look of the Ducati Sport 1000 S, but take it off and you'll find a comfortable pillion seat underneath. What's more, the bike features an unmistakeable 1970s style upper fairing with the pronounced, rounded shape that characterised the great competition bikes.

The Ducati Sport 1000 S was built with close attention to the quality of its components and to Ducati DNA. The race-bred Trellis frame and sports suspension give the bike outstanding road-holding. The Ducati Sport 1000 S mounts high-performance Marzocchi 43mm upside-down forks with chromed fork caps, for a classic look, while rear suspension duties are handled by high-performance Sachs twin shocks, which are fully adjustable for spring pre-load, compression and rebound damping. This suspension set-up provides sure-footed handling characteristics for sports riding while ensuring comfortable rideability when riding two-up.

Colour Scheme

Tank / Frame / Wheels
Ducati Red with with white stripe / Red / Black
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.