Morning all, i'm possibly looking at getting myself a Mk2 superlight, i don't know too much about them...can anyone tell me the differences between a 900ss (carb) and superlight please, apart from the different fairings and Marvic wheels is the motor the same etc?
morning, not much to report, the SL should have cast iron front discs (?) and single seat h/l zorsts apart they're the same bike, you might have a look at the SL register? Ducati900sl.com (The Ducati Superlight register)
Powerwise they're the same, just a carbon mudguard front and rear plus the clutch cover. https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ducati/ducati_900sl 94.htm
There's no difference in performance. The only difference is a disproportionate amount of money for some extra blingy bits for the most part. The Mk2 didn't come with Mavics, it was only the MK1. My personal opinion is to save the money get a 900SS, which rides the same, and spend the difference on upgrades, if that's your thing. The only great thing about the Superlight is, that it's a collectors bike, and they are constantly rising in value.
I was informed the inferior SS has an engine temperature gauge where as the superior SL doesn’t! Either way make sure you do all the necessary checks on these future classics before you commit.
Oil temp gauges came with the Mk4 superlight update and the same year SS which is around 1994 though it was easy for left over 93 bikes to be sold in 94 or later . And relatively easy to retrofit an oil gauge /3 clock dash to an earlier bike. All you need is the 3 clock dash, a 94 on screen (more bulge to clear clocks), a 94 on crankcase oil screen and temp sensor, a wire from sensor up to the oil gauge plus a 12v feed if memory serves as I fitted one to my 93 Mk111 superlight.
The gospel according to Sir Ian of Falloon states that the MK 2 was a bit of a downgrade from the Mk 1, as above the Marvic wheels and cast iron rotors were replaced with regular Brembo wheels (painted bronze) and std stainless SS brake discs. Differences between an SS and a Mk 2 S/L were a single seat, upswept pipes, carbon front and rear mudguards but also had the fully floating rear brake linkage, and a rectangular plaque on the triple clamp. Apparently even the carbon clutch cover from the Mk 1 was replaced with std. Some of the more expensive items reappeared on later marks, including cast iron rotors, so a Mk 2 is the lowest spec of all the Superlights, unless its yellow of course. The book says 325 Mk 2's were built in 1992, with a further 250 in 1993.
I had 2 new mk1s with the White frame, Marvic wheels and carbon guards and single seat, brembo floating disks, cost new 8.5K no2 was £6.2k from Bike Studio in London when they went bust
The under-slung rear caliper always amused me. Same caliper but attached with much more metal and brackets than on the SS, and they called it Superlight! The only advantage was when the pin holding the brake pads fell out, the pads would fall on the road instead of jamming the wheel. Later models (both SS & SL) had an e clip on the end to address this issue.
I'd suggest that an SS with some suitable mods financed by the difference in purchase cost between an SS and SL will be a far nicer, dare I say better, bike to own and ride. You can always stick an aftermarket Single seat unit on it for the look if you want. Ignatec Ignition module Coils End cans. Flatslides. Plus the value will go up rather than devaluing a Superlight by modifying it to be as good as the modified SS. If you must have a Superlight, be properly sure it's a real one before parting with any cash.