Ducati 900SL Superlight MKII

In 1992 Ducati unveiled the limited edition 900 Superlight following the success on the 1991 Supersport. The chassis and engine were from the 1992 Supersport but there were a few details that set the Superlight apart.These included a vented clutch cover, fully floating cast-iron front disc brakes, and larger diameter exhaust silencers (from the 888 SP4).

Each Superlight came with carbon fibre front mudguard & rear hugger, solo seat unit and a numbered plaque on the top triple clamp. This model in now commonly known as the MK1. 1992 models featured lightweight 17 inch Marvic/Akront composite wheels. Following on the from the success of the 1992 version, the Superlight specification was downgraded for 1993 which increased the weight of the bike (known as the MK II). The wheels were regular Brembo and the front discs were now stainless steel. The vented clutch cover disappeared.

The 1993 Superlights still came with the numbered plaque on the triple clamp. For 1994 the Superlight(MKIII) was upgraded with a return of the cast-iron disc brakes, upgraded front forks and a stronger aluminium swingarm along with other general differences that were shared with the standard 900ss. Only minor detail changes were made on the Superlight (MKIV) for 1995 and the Superlight (MKV) for 1996.

With the release of the new Supersport imminent , a Final Edition was offered in 1998. It was silver in colour with black wheels with much of the specifications the same as the earlier Superlight. All the of the FE's came with a numbered plaque.

When Ducati began using carbon fiber on their bikes, they predictably used it on a limited edition, single-seat Ducati 900 Super Sport. Built from 1992 to 1996 as the Ducati 900 Superlight, the bike used the aforementioned carbon fiber material on a number of its components, particularly the mudguards and the clutch cover.

Initially, the Italian bike maker wanted to build 500 models of the bike, but bumped that up to 900 pieces after incessant public demand. After the 900 Superlight enjoyed success in the market, Ducati built the Superlight II in 1993, replacing the composite wheels with Brembo units and adding a floating rear disc brakes setup. They also fitted in a powerful 904 cc V-twin SOHC Desmo engine that produced 73 horsepower and was mated to a six-speed transmission.

In launching the 900 Superlight in 1992. Ducati revealed a new-found ability to broaden its range with a new bike that was closely related to an existing model. The Superlight was a sportier version of the 900SS. the air/oil-cooled, two-valvcs-per-cylinder V-twin that offered a simpler and less expensive alternative to the Bologna firm's more powerful and exotic eight-valve superbikes.  Ducati hardly needed to produce another new model, because the 900SS itself had been successfully restyled and updated only the year before. But the Bologna firm saw the opportunity to create a significantly more sporty bike with little extra effort. Hence the arrival of the Superlight, complete with more aggressive image, reduced weight and no room for a pillion.  With the exception of a ventilated cover for its dry clutch the engine was unchanged.

That meant a 904cc. 90-degree. SOHC desmodromic V-twin, cooled by oil and air, and putting out a 73bhp at 7000rpm. (Ducati by now measured power in a more conservative way than in previous years.) Much of the chassis was also borrowed from the 900SS, including the steel ladder frame, Showa upside-down forks, and rear shock unit from the same Japanese firm.  The Superlight got its name from its weight-reducing chassis modifications.

 These included 17-inch Marvic wheels that combined aluminium rims with magnesium spokes and hubs. The front mudguard was made from carbon-fibre instead of plastic. The rest of the bodywork was shared with the 900SS, apart from the single-seat which, in conjunction with the removal of pillion footrests, allowed the twin tailpipes to be raised slightly.

Source of review: Fast Bikes by Roland Brown