WTB Paso or 907

[Garnet]

Hi

I am looking for my first Ducati . Been into old BMWs for 30 years and looking around the corner (so to speak).

I would prefer something built before 11/91 as it is easier to import to Canada. I have been searching eBay and Craigslist and uncoverd a few, but none in the Pacific NW near me. Shipping adds a lot to a $2500ish bike :ugh: .


Does anyone have something north of Frisco and west of Boise?

Garnet

[Finnpaso]

Try to find 907IE, or clean 750 Paso with low kms and good maintain history... I think 906 is not so good choise, cause that have all same "problems", as 750, but its much more heavier, than 750 Paso. Anyway those "problems" can be solved quite easily.

[Garnet]

Is the 907ie better quality (less trouble) or just faster?
Garnet

[mrinflux]

Garnet,

This is not even a close call. The Paso was originally released in 1987 as a fully-faired, air-cooled, carbureted 750 w/ '16 inch wheels. The Paso was pretty but the carburation system, (which utilized an automotive-style dual barrel Weber carburator), never worked properly, and the "16 inch wheels resulted in poor handling and body works that dragged during hard cornering. Additionally, with the air-cooled engine wrapped in all that fiberglass, the Paso ran hot.

In 1990, Ducati increased engine size on the Paso to 904 c/c, upgraded to a six speed transmition, and switched to water-cooling. Notwithstanding the engine displacement, Ducati named the new Paso, "906" rather than "904". Depending on which story you believe, Ducati used "6" rather than "4" as a nod to the new six speed transmition, or alternately, used "906" rather than "904" because "906" was more symetrical and looked better on the body works. A numerical palindrome, if you will. With its increased displacement and water cooling, the new 906 Paso was more powerful and ran cooler, but still suffered from carburation problems, bad handling, and body works that dragged in the turns.

After only one year, Ducati discontinued the 906 and released the 907ie in 1991. This was the final evolution of the Paso and truly was a huge improvement. Responding to customer complaints as well as track and road test data, Ducati abandoned the unworkable Weber carburator used on the earlier Pasos and replaced it with electronic fuel injection, (the "ie" designation standing for "iniezione eletronica"). Additionally, the "16 inch wheels were ditched in favor of "17 inch three spoke Brembos, taken from the 851 parts bin. Other upgrades included an improved exhaust sytem that had equal length exhaust manifolds, 4 piston Brembos up front, better front and rear suspension, and aluminum swingarm. Excepting the redesigned exhaust, all these upgrades were also taken from the 851 parts bin.

The new 907ie was significantly faster, handled much better, and ran much better. Gone were the carburation glitches and bad handling. With the 17 inch wheels, clearance was no longer an issue and body works no longer rubbed in hard cornering. And with the same body lines and inovative styling as earlier Pasos, the 907ie gave up nothing in looks to the previous Pasos.

The 750 and 906 Pasos are interesting inasmuch as they embody the early evolution of a great motorcycle design. But aside from that, they hold little interest. If your'e interested in owning and/or collecting a design-flawed motorcycle that later became a great motorcycle, then the 750 and 906 Pasos are for you. But if you're interested in riding a great motorcycle, there is no reason to own a 750 or 906 Paso over a 907ie. The 907ie runs cooler, handles better, makes more power and is much more reliable. Unlike the 750 and 906 Pasos, the 907ie is a modern motorcycle. Put simply, the 907ie is a much better motorcycle.

[Finnpaso]

I can agree near all that, BUT some notes came to my mind:

1. My 750 Paso runs near all time too COLD here in norther Europe, if talking about under +25C temperatures and my 907IE have much better running temperature all time, no matter, how cold/hot weather is. Thats why i put some plates to 750 oil coolers to protect air going to oil coolers. Normally i use those plates all time around summer, only hottest days, if driving in cities, then i take them away...

2. To my eyes 750 Paso with 16" wheels LOOKS MUCH better, than 907IE with 17" wheels! 750 Paso was JUST, HOW Tamburini wanted to Paso look, but surely 907IE is much better bike in many meanings, but not so good looking bike! I dont want to own 906 at all...

[Garnet]

Thanks, that is the kind of info I was looking for and explains the big jump in prices asked for 907s. That being said I sometmes like to take on a challange like sorting out design flaws. I'll let you know what happens.

Garnet

[mrinflux]

garnet,

i like sorting out design flaws also, but in this case, the work has already been done. if u sort out all the design flaws in a 750 paso, u'll have a 907ie. no need to re-invent the wheel.

as for finnpaso's comment's, obviously, there's no accounting for personal taste. i think the 907, with it's monocromatic color scheme, is a much better looking motorcycle than the two-toned earlier pasos. but if u prefer the paint scheme of the earlier pasos then you'll likely be willing to tolerate the design flaws. other than the paint scheme difference, there is essentially no esthetic difference between earlier pasos and the 907. i don't really understand what finnpaso means when he says he prefers the look of the '16 inch wheels; to my eye all the pasos look essentially the same, excepting paint schemes. true, the earlier pasos w/ '16 inch wheels sit a bit lower, (and hence, look a bit smaller), but it's not a dramatic esthetic difference. it is, however, a dramatic difference in handling. frankly, i can't imagine anyone would prefer to ride a paso w/ '16 inch wheels over one w/ '17 inch wheels.

as for his his 750 running cooler up in finland, well...his comments speak for themselves. according to him, sometimes his 750 runs too hot, sometimes too cold. his 907, on the other hand, runs at a constant temperature. again, not a close call.

i own three 907ie ducatis. it's really an incredible motorcycle. u won't regret buying a 907. and w/ total worldwide production around 2,300 units for the 3 model years, it's a fairly rare motorcycle. additionally, most of the '91 production line was actually manufactured in 1990, so they may fall under the more favorable canadian import regs u mentioned in ur post.

[sjors]

Hi,

also looking around for a Paso, what a fine design. I mentioned on bikez that the 1993 year 907ie has less power (78HP) then the 1991 machine with 90HP. Is that true and for what reason?

George

[mrinflux]

George,

no, that's definately not true. the horsepower output for all stock 907 model years is the same. there was no change to the engine during the three years of production. after 1991, ducati switched from black to silver exhaust cans, upgraded the front brakes, and offered black in addition to red. these are the only differences. 90 horsepower for a stock 907 sounds a bit optimistic. 78 horsepower is the right figure.

Elton

[Finnpaso]

George, U are wrong now. Ducati changed to measure those times power, like jap bikes, so power measurement changed just those days.... 91 and last 92 907IE modells have same power, only ECU was changed from P7 to P8, front brake calipers were changed with 320mm rotors, like also seat and mufflers. 78 hp is right. Btw, ST2 have 83hp, what come mostly from bigger bore.

[keepsdad]

okay - mrinflux and the rest - i am BIG time excited now.
i have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years now ( yikes !!) and have four motorcycles sitting in my garage - two matching 2001 honda 929s ( one is my son's) , a 2006 yamaha roadliner which i just rode from virginia to bike week in daytona and back, and a 2006 american ironhorse legend chopper.

long story short - fell madly in love with a 907ie in florida and purchased it - mint bike - 6500 miles - owned by former ducati mechanic. penske shock, reworked chain, aftermarket exhausts, euro taillight, etc. etc. etc.

truth is i fell madly in love with the lines of a paso 750 i saw here in virginia and after researching and reading came to realize that the bike i wanted to buy was a 907ie. started searching for one and found the one in florida. turned out to be fate that i was heading exactly that way for bike week and it was easy to stop and see it.

bike is being trailered up to virginia next week and i cant wait to ride it. mrinflux - you have 3 of these so you must love them.
tell me what it is like to ride them ?

thanks !! btw the bike is red with a custom corbin saddle.

[Ducman]

Hey dude I live in Sooke, got a 907 this year and find it to be incredible, the guys in Nanaimo at Harbourcity are pretty cool, as well as Ducati of Seattle. Maybe we can go for a blast next year.

[qldman36]

okay - mrinflux and the rest - i am BIG time excited now.
i have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years now ( yikes !!) and have four motorcycles sitting in my garage - two matching 2001 honda 929s ( one is my son's) , a 2006 yamaha roadliner which i just rode from virginia to bike week in daytona and back, and a 2006 american ironhorse legend chopper.

long story short - fell madly in love with a 907ie in florida and purchased it - mint bike - 6500 miles - owned by former ducati mechanic. penske shock, reworked chain, aftermarket exhausts, euro taillight, etc. etc. etc.

truth is i fell madly in love with the lines of a paso 750 i saw here in virginia and after researching and reading came to realize that the bike i wanted to buy was a 907ie. started searching for one and found the one in florida. turned out to be fate that i was heading exactly that way for bike week and it was easy to stop and see it.

bike is being trailered up to virginia next week and i cant wait to ride it. mrinflux - you have 3 of these so you must love them.
tell me what it is like to ride them ?

thanks !! btw the bike is red with a custom corbin saddle.

Cliff,
Control yourself! See you next Saturday with your new bike.

BTW, only 40 years? Got you beat by 10.
Carl

[keepsdad]

carl -

you busted me !!!

cant wait to see you and my bike next saturday.

let me know if you need any help with accomodations.

cliff

[BobHancock]

Glad to see Carls great bike got a good home. I was very close to buying it but couldn't quite swing the cash for number three. Congrats on your purchase.