To Duc or not to Duc

[keelbolts]

I’m currently riding a ‘92 BMW R100RS, but I’m thinking about adding something a bit more spirited to the stable. I started thinking about a Ducati when I saw a recent article on the Cagiva Allazzura. I then came across info and photos of the 906 Paso. Particularly in red, it’s a breath-taking sculpture.

I’ve researched the 750 and 906 Pasos as well as the 907s. The prices seem to be comparable which doesn’t help in selecting one from the others. So here are some questions:

I like an air-cooled bike, so the 750 looks good, but how much am I giving up to 906?

How much of a problem are the 16” wheels?

Most bikes have one or more problem areas. What are the problem areas for the 750, the 906, and the 907?

Are there years to look for and years to avoid?

How’s the Allazzura stack up?

Thanks

[paso750]

Pls. don`t post the same in every forum. The guys will find your post.

G.

[paso750]

check the lowest article on the bottom.
http://www.box.net/public/yrb6c0887z

Are there years to look for and years to avoid?

I`d say, no.
The 906 has little bit more power than the 750 but is heavier so I`d rather consider 750 or 907ie, 906 depending on the price.
906 is water cooled as is the 907ie, while the 750 is oil cooled.
I don`t like to say that, but if you tour a lot the 907ie is probably the better chioce with the 17" wheels.
Every bike has some parts that are hard to find. I.e. on the 906/907ie the coolant reservoir, new fairing parts are generally hard to find, but they pop up once in a while.
Availability of tires seems to depend on the location, up to know Micheklin produced some batches every couple of years and there are constant statements that the tires have been discontinued. So for this the 907ie is also the "better" choice.

G.

[Finnpaso]

btw, Alazurra is quite hard to find! I mean good one and its not real Ducati, no matter Pantah engine....

[persempre907]

btw, Alazurra is quite hard to find! I mean good one and its not real Ducati, no matter Pantah engine....

Really, the Alazzurra was a Ducati Pantah with the Cagiva brand...

I agree entirely with Gerhard: if you want to use quite every day the bike, you have to choose the 907 IE.
Ciao

[keelbolts]

I don't expect it to be my daily driver, but If the 750 & 906 are more trouble, I don't need the aggravation. I gather the 907s fuel injection did a lot for it.

I've heard many of the Ducatis described as torture racks. American cycle writer Peter Egan has a mid-90s 900SS that sounds reasonably comfortable, but when he test drove a newer version, he said his hands and wrists were numb after 40 minutes of riding. At my age, I can't ride around all day with half my weight on my wrists. How comfortable are the Pasos?

[persempre907]

I also made the same your thoughts, so I choosed the 907.
The Paso is a sport-tourer and they handle-bars are higher than the 900 SS ones.
Besides, you can put some spacers to raise the handle-bars.
Perhaps, the knees are a little bit bent as well as a real tourer bike, but I'd say the Pasos are comfortable enough.
Good luck .
Ciao

[keelbolts]

You've sold me on the 907. It wasn't really a hard sell as I saw a '92 907 on the internet last night that was breathtaking. I was late getting to bed because I was sitting there staring at the photo. Beautiful.

Now, for my education, what turned you away from the others. If, let's say, my neighbor finds he has a 906 sitting in his garage, why shouldn't I buy it? ...or a 750?

[paso750]

I would buy my 750 again also because I like it more and it`s more puristic as a 907ie. However with a 750 and 906 you`re likely to have carb and tire problems sooner or later and with the 907 there will be no such issue.
I found my 750 to be a very reliable bike after swapping the carbs to Mikunis.

G.

[persempre907]

I found my 750 to be a very reliable bike after swapping the carbs to Mikunis.

... and the reliability can be improved by some modification on the electrics.

No matter, even if the 750 is probably the best looking Paso, the 907 for sure is a better bike.
Take a look to the following articles.
http://ducatipaso.org/docs/907/articles_english

Ciao

[jcslocum]

The 907 is by far the most refined and developed of the Paso's. The 750 has some flaws that will need to be addressed to make it a reliable runner. The carb and electrics are weak but very fixable and once sorted out, it's a fun and beautiful bike.

The 906 was a big improvement in reliability but still has the weber carb. It seems like the weber on the 906 works better than on the 750.

Both the 750 and the 906 use 16" tires which are only available from Michelin. In the USA these are easier to find but are getting harder to find as the supply is use up. Both bikes can be changed to 17" wheels which will offer you a HUGE selection of tires to use.

The handling of the bikes with the 16" is a bit tricky and can be sometimes scary to ride. The suspension can be tuned and the tires pressure fiddled with to get is to be more secure feeling. It just takes some time.

The 907 is a thouroughly modern bike and will handle like any other Ducati Sport Tour bike. It's fast, reliable, fun and beautiful.

Good luck with your decision!

[Finnpaso]

The Paso is a sport-tourer

Frankie, i would say thing this way: Paso(all versions) are "allround" bikes, cause its not designed for "touring", no side cases, etc..... ST series bikes are "Sport Tourers", cause they are much better for longer journeys, than any Paso series bikes, and these days its easy to find ST2 for very good price from EU markets. Pasos are much more such bikes, that they are for "dayly trips" without packages, but if looking motorbike to "touring" use, then ST searies are much better.... Ok, i know, that this my opinion went little out from topic, cause i put that ST to this discussions, but ST2 is very good bike, if really want some touring bike. Surely, if WANT Paso, then have to choose from Paso series bikes!

[persempre907]

No matter, we can say the Pasos was the first attempt of Ducati doing a bike which didn't be only a sport bike.
Ciao

[Tigger]

Hi there

I have owned a 750, and am currently running a 907ie. Both bikes have their good and negative points. My 750 never had a problem on the carburation, but it was regulary dealer serviced from new and have very low mileage, so either there was no wear or I just had an exceptional bike. Personally, I prefer the handling of the 750 because to ride it properly and hard required far more rider input and you felt that you were part of the bike. Flip side would be the difficulty of obtaining the rubber.

Conversely, my 907, whilst having more conventional handling, is far superior on the power stakes, as the fuel injection means the bike can be chipped.

If I had the money and garage space, I would have one of each!

Best of luck with your choice.

Bryn

[Finnpaso]

No matter, we can say the Pasos was the first attempt of Ducati doing a bike which didn't be only a sport bike.

That i accept 100%