ducatipaso.org

Hi,

First: I'm not an owner JET. I'm very serious in buying a paso, but I'm not familair with a paso.

I hope you can give me some info about how the paso rides. I have some experience with a Ducati 748 an I like it very much how it handles.

What can you tell about how the paso rides? An how about parts and tyres, are they easily to come by?

Greets,

A ducati fan!

Erik,
the easiest would be to read the test articles in the download section. You`ll find some from all kinds of different magazines.
The main points I guess are that the Paso is a fine, comfortable ride, but tends to stand up if you try to hit the brake in a curve. It`s also not the fastest bike compared to a 748 or to some jap 600 or 750 which nowadays have 100hp and +.
Tires availability is still given, but situation tends to become worse so you`ll may have to check for alternative sizes soon.
Parts in general are no problem, except to instrument panel cover or some other small bits you cannot get as single part anymore.
Used parts can be found with some searching. Mechanical or electrical parts usually can be ordered from your local Duc dealer with no bigger problem.

G.

Welcome Erik,
Gerhard is right.
The spare parts wouldn't be a big problem.
The only unreliability are the electrics and the fueling: isn't easy to find the correct carburation, so many Paso riders mount different carburettors (Mikuni or Dell'orto).
Finally, as told Gerhard, the 16" rims can mount only a type of Michelin tyres (A/M 59).
But, if you would avoid quite all this problems, you could buy a 907i.e. that has only some electrics unreliability.
Ciao

I find that braking in the corners is not so bad, Erik, if you use the brakes together.

Thanks so far. I will read all the articles about the Paso. But... Can anyone tell me (in advance of reading) if the paso could be called a "racer" or has race-characteristics?

That's what I'm really looking for, and the paso is in my opinion a beautiful and, not unimportant, affordable machine. Plus the historical value of this Ducati makes it a "wannahave"!

It was designed as a Sports Tourer, not a racer. But it has very light and responsive steering, which can make it quite exciting to ride. Also the 750 engine can be incredible smooth with carefully tuned and ballanced twin carbs (mine has 36mm DelOrtos) and it can make reasonable power. It has a comfortable riding position.

Thank you skins!

How are ridingconditions around Wellington?

E_r_i_k wrote:Thanks so far. I will read all the articles about the Paso. But... Can anyone tell me (in advance of reading) if the paso could be called a "racer" or has race-characteristics?

The Paso "technology" is at least 20 years old and connot be considered a "Racer" in any way. I have a 748, 750 Paso and now a Multistrada and both of these newer bikes will leave the Paso in the dust. The new suspensions, brakes, tires and fuel injected engines are far superior to what was used on the Paso.

E_r_i_k wrote:Thanks so far. I will read all the articles about the Paso. But... Can anyone tell me (in advance of reading) if the paso could be called a "racer" or has race-characteristics?

That's what I'm really looking for, and the paso is in my opinion a beautiful and, not unimportant, affordable machine. Plus the historical value of this Ducati makes it a "wannahave"!

Erik, There is no way that a Paso can be considered a"racer" altho a very few over the years were raced[after considerable modification and money]. Results were in most cases not worth the effort. You are NOT going to run with a modern day 600 or larger sportbike. If this is your goal, this is not your bike.
I have a 907 which i call"The Gentlmens Express". Would call it an excellent sport tourer except for the fact that there is no easy remedy for carrying luggage.
If rippin' up the roads is your goal, Paso series is not your tool.
Carl

qldman36 wrote: Erik, There is no way that a Paso can be considered a"racer"... You are NOT going to run with a modern day 600 or larger sportbike. If this is your goal, this is not your bike...
If rippin' up the roads is your goal, Paso series is not your tool.

+1 to what he said. I tried to use my 907 as a sportbike and it just wasn't worth it... a mid '90s 900ss will make a much better sport bike for about the same price. You still won't be able to hang with modern 600's though.

The riding around Wellington is pretty good, I'm glad to say, Erik. There is a bit of everything - bends, hills, countryside, and coast. I had a few pictures posted in 'Aiming for ther Apex' but my picture server pulled my plug for not using the service enough, I guess, when I got real busy with my work a while back. I'm still real busy, but I'll try to reshoot and repost the pics sometime.

I ride all year, almost every day, but for three months or so it's a bit cold for an old bloke like me to have his early-morning 10 km ride around the coast, which I do most nice mornings during the rest of the year.

DesmoDog wrote:

qldman36 wrote: Erik, There is no way that a Paso can be considered a"racer"... You are NOT going to run with a modern day 600 or larger sportbike. If this is your goal, this is not your bike...
If rippin' up the roads is your goal, Paso series is not your tool.

+1 to what he said. I tried to use my 907 as a sportbike and it just wasn't worth it... a mid '90s 900ss will make a much better sport bike for about the same price. You still won't be able to hang with modern 600's though.

You can hang with modern 600's very easily as most modern 600 hundred riders have no idea how to round a corner.
To be quick or ride with a "high level of enthusiasm" on a Paso requires far more skill than on a modern bike.
The brakes are a littl old as is the suspension as standard and the tyres on a 750 or a 906 will never be as good as the latest sports rubber.
......... But it can keep up with modern kit on the right road and with the right rider !

If you are looking for something to rival a 748 or a 916 in terms of sharpness of handling or power then its not the bike.

However if you are looking for a bike to get you From Germany to Italy via Austria in one day (Crossing two alpine passes and not taking in any motorways). Then do it all again the next day the Paso is the bike for it.
It is the only bike I have ever owned that I can enjoyable do 10 hours plus of sports riding on in a day and still want to do it again the next day!!!!!

everything my friend said about riding is quite right, i think, and I'd like you to suggest one thing: choose a bike with a very good bodywork, as panels are not available and repairing them might be very expensive...
After the first ridings on your paso, you can get info about upgrading searching in the various posts: tires, 17" rims, brakes, carbs, 2-1 mufflers, cdi units...

The Paso is an aging beast that does not benefit from the last decade & a half of rapid technological advancement but she sure is a good "Riders" bike. The Old 2 Valve motor may not match the modern bikes in a straight line or when you need to stop in a hurry but put her on your favourite set of bends & if you are a half decent rider you will mix it with the majority of bikes out there.

I've got to agree, if you want to scrape your knee on every bend then get a 999 if you want a bike that gives you the biggest grin from pushing her through the bends then get the Paso.

She is not a racer, she is just a whole lot of fun!

First you need to understand that the Paso is not a modern bike, but if you can find one that's in good repair, it makes a great ride. It's a versatile motorcycle, but I consider it more of a sport tourer than a racer rep.

It's also a seminal design from one of the best designers in the motorcycle business, Massimo Tamburini, author of many desirable bikes, the latest of which is the MV Agusta F4 1000. Unfortunately, the Paso's twin oil radiators, square section tube frame and fully enveloping fairing did not represent the essence of a Ducati to many here in the U.S. so it's sales were not impressive here.

Having said that, I've enjoyed mine since buying it new in 1988, although this may be more of a commentary on my character than that of the bike. It's comfortable to ride all day, yet was fun to ride on a recent track day at the Streets of Willow Springs. (But then, I'm a geezer.)

Like the guys commented above, if you want a canyon carver, get a more modern machine. If you want a beautiful motorcycle, a precurser of the new era in bike design, that's fun to ride in a variety of situations, the Paso is good choice. Good luck, E_r_i_k