1991 Ducati 900SL Superlight MKI

Make Model	Ducati 900 SL Superlight MKI
Year	1992
Engine	Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven
Capacity	904 cc / 55.2 cu in
Bore x Stroke	92 x 68 mm
Compression Ratio	9.2:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Induction	Mikuni BDST 38-B67
Spark Plug	Champion RA6HC
Ignition	Kokusan electronic inductive discharge
Battery	12V 16Ah
Starting	Electric
Max Power	57 kW / 78 hp @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque	84 Nm / 8.6 kgf-m / 62 ft-lb @ 6400 rpm
Clutch	Dry, multiplate
Transmission	6 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	2.000:1 (31/62)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.466 / 2nd 1.764 / 3rd 1.350 / 4th 1.091 / 5th 0.958 / 6th 0.857:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.466:1 (15/37)
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	41 mm Showa fully adjustable inverted fork
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Progressive type with adjustable Showa GD monoshock
Rear Wheel Travel	125 mm / 4.9 in
Front Brakes	2 x 320 mm discs
Rear Brakes	Single 245 mm disc
Front Tyre	120/70-17
Rear Tyre	170/60-17
Dry Weight	180 kg / 397 lbs
Rake	25^o
Trail	104 mm / 4.1 in
Dimensions	Length: 2030 mm / 79.9 in Width: 730 mm / 28.7 in Height: 1125 mm / 44.3 in
Wheelbase	1410 mm / 55.5 in
Seat Height	780mm / 30.7in
Dry Weight	182 kg / 401 lbs
Wet Weight	192.5 kg / 424 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17.5 L / 4.6 US gal / 3.8 Imp gal
Consumption Average	5.7 L/100 km / 17.5 km/l / 41.2 US mpg / 49.4 Impmpg
Braking 60 km/h - 0	12.9 m / 42.3 ft
Braking 100 km/h - 0	36.7 m / 120.4 ft
Standing ¼ Mile	11.5 sec / 186.8 km/h / 116.1 mph
Top Speed	221.1 km/h / 137.3 mph
Colours	Bronze frame, red or yellow
Manual	Bevelheaven.com

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.