Ducati SportClassic
Encyclopedia
The SportClassics were a range of retro styled motorcycle
s first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year
. The Paul Smart version
was made for the 2006 model year only, while the Sport1000 ran from 2006 through the 2009 model years, and the GT1000 ran from the 2007 through 2010 model years.
They were the product of Ducati's design chief Pierre Terblanche
, who said the series started with the Evoluzione MH900e replica of Mike Hailwood
's victorious 1978 Isle of Man TT
bike. The different variations are based on similar frames, and powered by the Desmodue 992 cc air-cooled L-twin Ducati 1000 Dual Spark engine, also called the DS9 engine.
The Sport1000 took its inspiration from the 1973 Ducati 750 Sport and related 750 Imola Desmo
, and had the look of a classic lightweight single-seat cafe racer
. It used a two valve 1000DS motor with twin stacked exhaust pipes on the right hand side in a 1425 mm (56.1 in) wheelbase, trellis tube frame. The suspension was a three way adjustable single Sachs rear shock on the left side, and non-adjustable 43 mm Marzocchi front forks. The wheels were wire spoke large section alloy rims with tubed Pirelli Phantom
tyres
. Borrani were approached to supply the rims, but could not supply the volume, so Excel rims were used. The well gusseted 60 mm section asymmetric swingarm and single shock give the left a traditional twin shock look.
The 2009 Ducati Sport1000S had the front suspension of the Sport1000, while adding a retro styled fairing like the Paul Smart. The rear suspension used the GT1000's dual-shock swingarm and mufflers on both sides, rather than the asymmetrical swing arm, single left-side shock, and stacked mufflers on the right side of the Sport1000 and Paul Smart. This change created space for passenger footpegs, so the Sport1000S had a removable rear seat cowl covering a pillion seat. In 2008, a variation with taller handlebars was available, called the Sport1000 biposto (tandem). The model could be equipped with Ducati original accessory lower fairings to create a late 1960s or early 1970s race bike look.
Paul Smart rode the 750 Imola Desmo
competition bike to victory in 1972, and the 1974 750 SuperSport was based on that, tank and sidepanels painted silver, fairing painted green and silver with a green frame. The Giugiaro case 900 and 750 SuperSports had the blue and silver paint. The inspiration for Paul Smart LE is based on these bikes. It has multi adjustable Öhlins
suspension front and rear, the fairing, steering damper, and a green frame to go with the silver and blue paint on the tank, lower clip-ons, fairing, and side covers.
The Ducati GT1000 used a similar steel tubular trellis frame to the Paul Smart and the Sport1000, and the same Desmodue 992 cc engine. It was designed with comfort in mind and intended for sport-touring riders. The frame differed from the Sport1000 in the addition of mounting points for twin shocks and side panels. The GT1000 had touring handlebars, mounted on the same front forks as the Sport has clip-ons: non-adjustable 43 mm Marzocchi upside-down forks.
While the rear end had the seventies appearance, the components were more modern. The rear suspension used twin Sachs shocks, adjustable for spring pre-load, mounted on a beefy 60 mm section swingarm. Wide Excel 17 inch chromed steel (36 spoke) rims are laced with thick 4.4 mm spokes to silver painted aluminum alloy hubs, necessitating the use of tube-type tires.
The front brakes of the GT1000 were derived from the other SportClassic models, and had two Brembo floating calipers with 30 and 32 mm diameter thermally insulated pistons. They were semi-floating discs with a diameter of 320 mm and a thickness of 4 mm. The rear brake system consisted of a floating single piston Brembo 34 mm caliper with high friction sintered pads and a 245 mm disc (bigger rear disc for two-up
riders).
It had twin exhausts and silencers, and pillion pegs where they belong for riding any distance. The silencers (exhausts) have more of a "Silentium" look and were not designed to resemble the original 'reverse cone' "Conti" silencers that were present on the original 1970s Ducatis that inspired the GT1000.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s first introduced by Ducati at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
, and put on sale in 2005 for the 2006 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
. The Paul Smart version
Ducati PaulSmart1000LE
The Ducati PaulSmart1000LE is a retro styled "naked" sportbike built by Ducati to commemorate Paul Smart's win at the Imola 200 km race in 1972, a win that helped define Ducati's future approach to racing...
was made for the 2006 model year only, while the Sport1000 ran from 2006 through the 2009 model years, and the GT1000 ran from the 2007 through 2010 model years.
They were the product of Ducati's design chief Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche
Pierre Terblanche is a South African motorcycle designer born in 1956 in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape. He started his career in advertising but felt the need to move into the design world. After moving to Germany and working with Volkswagen design he worked at Cagiva's Research Center at San Marino...
, who said the series started with the Evoluzione MH900e replica of Mike Hailwood
Mike Hailwood
Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, MBE, GM was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability...
's victorious 1978 Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
bike. The different variations are based on similar frames, and powered by the Desmodue 992 cc air-cooled L-twin Ducati 1000 Dual Spark engine, also called the DS9 engine.
2006–2008 Sport1000
Ducati 750 Imola Desmo
The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo is a race motorcycle built by Ducati that won the 1972 Imola 200 mile race at the hands of Paul Smart. This win is considered historic by Ducati and its fans in that it helped define Ducati's approach to racing.-Design:...
, and had the look of a classic lightweight single-seat cafe racer
Café racer
A café racer is a type of motorcycle as well as a type of motorcyclist. Both meanings have their roots in the 1960s British counterculture group the Rockers, or the Ton-up boys, although they were also common in Italy, Germany, and other European countries...
. It used a two valve 1000DS motor with twin stacked exhaust pipes on the right hand side in a 1425 mm (56.1 in) wheelbase, trellis tube frame. The suspension was a three way adjustable single Sachs rear shock on the left side, and non-adjustable 43 mm Marzocchi front forks. The wheels were wire spoke large section alloy rims with tubed Pirelli Phantom
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
tyres
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
. Borrani were approached to supply the rims, but could not supply the volume, so Excel rims were used. The well gusseted 60 mm section asymmetric swingarm and single shock give the left a traditional twin shock look.
2007–2009 Sport1000S
2006 Paul Smart Limited Edition
Ducati 750 Imola Desmo
The Ducati 750 Imola Desmo is a race motorcycle built by Ducati that won the 1972 Imola 200 mile race at the hands of Paul Smart. This win is considered historic by Ducati and its fans in that it helped define Ducati's approach to racing.-Design:...
competition bike to victory in 1972, and the 1974 750 SuperSport was based on that, tank and sidepanels painted silver, fairing painted green and silver with a green frame. The Giugiaro case 900 and 750 SuperSports had the blue and silver paint. The inspiration for Paul Smart LE is based on these bikes. It has multi adjustable Öhlins
Öhlins
Öhlins or Öhlins Racing AB, is a manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems for automotive, motorcycle, snowmobile, and ATV use. It is based in Upplands Väsby just north of Stockholm, Sweden...
suspension front and rear, the fairing, steering damper, and a green frame to go with the silver and blue paint on the tank, lower clip-ons, fairing, and side covers.
2006–2010 GT1000
While the rear end had the seventies appearance, the components were more modern. The rear suspension used twin Sachs shocks, adjustable for spring pre-load, mounted on a beefy 60 mm section swingarm. Wide Excel 17 inch chromed steel (36 spoke) rims are laced with thick 4.4 mm spokes to silver painted aluminum alloy hubs, necessitating the use of tube-type tires.
The front brakes of the GT1000 were derived from the other SportClassic models, and had two Brembo floating calipers with 30 and 32 mm diameter thermally insulated pistons. They were semi-floating discs with a diameter of 320 mm and a thickness of 4 mm. The rear brake system consisted of a floating single piston Brembo 34 mm caliper with high friction sintered pads and a 245 mm disc (bigger rear disc for two-up
Pillion
A pillion is a mostly British English term for a secondary pad, cushion, or seat behind the main seat or saddle on a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or moped...
riders).
It had twin exhausts and silencers, and pillion pegs where they belong for riding any distance. The silencers (exhausts) have more of a "Silentium" look and were not designed to resemble the original 'reverse cone' "Conti" silencers that were present on the original 1970s Ducatis that inspired the GT1000.