I have owned a Ducati 600SS foir three years now and have loved owning such a good machine. After years of being a lumbering italian company with many problems with electrics and just a beautiful model to show for, the management was reshuffled (1995) and a new company was born.

This was my first bike and a great step for someone who wants to get into motorcycles...not too much CCs but enough to get you going. Its twin-cylinder engine works beautifully and you will become amazed at how much you love the deep sound of a ducati rather than the whine of four cylinders...it is addictive!

I bought my SS in 98 (97 model) and have ridden it all over England and Europe, just came back from a 3 day 1600 km trip (Barcelona-London) and it worked and purred over winding roads and even the highways. It did however scream for a 6th gear as I had it revving at 8000 rpms at 180 km/hr. The bike loves a good burn and has the acceleration required for smooth riding, but the top-end speed lacks so if you want to whizz around at 200+ km/hr...this is not for you.

In terms of maintenance, I have had no problems apart from the usual wear and tear...tires and brakes. The motorcycle is easy to tinker with and has a relatively simple engine with easy access (fearings are easily removed).

Overall this is a fun bike (fast and reliable)! It has a comfortable enough riding position for a bit of fast riding, but can be a bit tiring on long rides and in the city. Its turning radius is also a bit tight so don't expect scooter agility in city traffic!