After ten thousand kilometres or so Ducati clutches often become terribly noisy. So much so that people stare at you when stopped at traffic lights, half expecting a con-rod to come through the side of the block. The 1000SS we recorded nearly 1,000 kilometres on was new, and thus the clutch was very quiet and far from intrusive around town.

Ducati have changed the clutch design somewhat, so hopefully this quieter operation will continue through the life of ownership. The clutch basket and plates have been improved with a switch to an all aluminium design. Ducati claim a much longer service life through the more balanced wear factors from the new construction along with a much quieter operation due to improved tolerances and lower resonances of the new material. Operation of the clutch is hydraulically assisted, but still requires a moderately strong pull on the lever; however it is not enough to become tiresome around town.

The transmission output shaft (lay shaft) has been improved with the use of a double row bearing on the sprocket side for improved durability. The countershaft sprocket is now mounted on the splined shaft via a single large nut rather than the former models two screws.

On the suspension side of the equation, the new machine uses lighter Showa USD forks. These offer the full range of adjustments and combine with a similarly featured Ohlins Shock which also adds the benefit of a separate ride height adjustment along with the regular preload, compression and rebound damping settings.

This new suspension package is much more pleasant than before. The initial part of the stroke seems much more compliant than found on the previous machine. This dramatically increases rider comfort when negotiating the bumpy back roads we find in Australia. A big bump will still give you a decent nudge in the guts, but it is much more bearable than the killer kidney punch the 900SS would inflict on its rider over similar terrain.

A lot of thought has gone in to the design of the seat, it is well shaped and perfectly padded. Not too soft, and not too hard, but just right. It is not that end of the machine that will have you complaining. The riding position still puts quite an amount of weight on the wrists, but it does seem a little less extreme than before. Perhaps the improved suspension is largely what makes it more bearable than the 900SS. I did cover around 650 kilometres in a spirited afternoon/evening strop south-west of Perth and my wrists and hands still maintained reasonable function at the other end. This would not have been the case on any recent 900SS model.

Continued...