Editing Ducati 900SL Superlight

{{Infobox Motorcycle
|name             = [[Ducati]] 900SL Superlight
|image            = [[File:ducati-900-superlight-8.jpg|frameless|Ducati 900SL Superlight]]
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = Ducati
|parent_company   =
|production       = 1994 - 95
|model_year       =
|predecessor      =
|successor        =
|class            =
|engine           = Four stroke, 90°Ltwin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven
|bore_stroke      =
|compression      = 9.2:1
|top_speed        = 221.1 km/h / 137.3 mph
|power            =
|torque           =
|fuel_system      =
|ignition         = Kokusan electronic inductive discharge
|spark_plug       = Champion RA6HC
|battery          = 12V 16Ah
|transmission     = 6 Speed
|frame            =
|suspension       =Front: 41 mm Showa fully adjustable inverted fork <br>
Rear: Progressive type with adjustable Showa GD monoshock
|brakes           =Front: 2 x 320 mm discs <br>Rear: Single 245 mm disc
|front_tire       = {{tire|120/70-17}} 
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|170/60-17}} 
|rake_trail       =
|wheelbase        = 1410 mm / 55.5 in
|length           =
|width            =
|height           =
|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
|oil_capacity     =
|fuel_consumption =
|turning_radius   =
|related          =
|competition      =
}}

It could reach a top speed of 221.1 km/h / 137.3 mph.  

==Engine==
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 90°Ltwin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven. The engine featured a 9.2:1 [[compression ratio]].  

==Drive==
Power was moderated via the Dry, multiplate.  

==Chassis==
It came with a 120/70-17 front [[tire]] and a 170/60-17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2 x 320 mm discs in the front and a Single 245 mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a  41 mm Showa fully adjustable inverted fork while the rear was equipped with a Progressive type with adjustable Showa GD monoshock. The 900SL Superlight was fitted with a 17.5 L / 4.6 US gal / 3.8 Imp gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 182 kg / 401 lbs. The wheelbase was 1410 mm / 55.5 in long.  
== Photos ==
[[File:ducati-900-superlight-8.jpg|600px|Ducati 900SL Superlight]]
[[File:Ducati-900SL-94--4.jpg|600px|Ducati 900SL Superlight]]
[[File:Ducati-900SL-94--2.jpg|600px|Ducati 900SL Superlight]]
[[File:Ducati-900SL-94--5.jpg|600px|Ducati 900SL Superlight]]

== Overview ==

Ducati 900SL Super Light


















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.


Raw
and racy feel


For many riders, one of the most appealing things about the
oil/air-cooled Ducatis was the way in which they managed to retain so much
of the older bevel-drive V-twins' raw feel despite ever-tightening
regulations. When the Superlight's throttle was blipped at a standstill, the
noise and feel left no doubt that this bike was a big V-twin.
The view
was suitably simple too: foam-mounted clocks, and multi-adjustable forks
poking through an alloy top yoke. The single-seat's padding was thinner than
that of the standard SS, but those bars were high enough to make the
Superlight reasonably comfortable. Its dry weight was just 3881b (176kg), a
reduction of 151b (7kg) on the SS, which helped make the bike manageable at
slow speed despite its limited steering lock.  That light weight was
partly due to the lean, basic nature of the engine, whose relatively modest
peak output meant that the Superlight had a top speed of just under 140mph
(225km/h). at least lOmph (16km/h) down on rival Japanese 750s. But
the 900's combination of lightness and the way that power was produced
allowed it to stay with all but the fastest opposition on the road.
The
motor was rough below 4000rpm but from then on produced storming mid-range
torque that made the bike very easy to ride.    Handling was
as good as might have been expected of a light, moderately powerful bike
with a rigid frame and high-quality suspension. Steering was effortless and
neutral, giving the Ducati the feel of a middleweight. Its upside-down forks
were well-sprung without being harsh, and gave a finely controlled ride.
Despite its relative simplicity, the cantilever rear-end also worked well.
And the Superlight's front brake was powerful and progressive thanks to big
twin discs and new Brembo Gold Line calipers.
The advantage of the
Superlight's reduced weight was not dramatic, and in purely functional terms
the bike offered only a slight edge over the 900SS. It was also considerably
more expensive. But the Superlight was a worthy addition to Ducati"s range,
providing even more of the raw, characterful performance and fine handling
that had made the 900SS so popular.


Source of review: Fast Bikes by Roland Brown
{|  class="wikitable"
|- 
!Make Model
|Ducati 900 SL Superlight
|- 
!Year
|1994 - 95
|- 
!Engine Type
|Four stroke, 90°Ltwin cylinder, SOHC, desmodromic 2 valves per cylinder, belt driven
|- 
!Displacement
|904 cc / 55.2 cu in
|- 
!Bore X Stroke
|92 x 68 mm
|- 
!Compression
|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 Tire
|120/70-17
|- 
!Rear Tire
|170/60-17
|- 
!Dry Weight
|182 kg / 401 lbs
|- 
!Rake
|25o
|- 
!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
|- 
!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
|- 
!Manual
|Bevelheaven.com

|}
== External Links ==
* http://www.bevelheaven.com/manual-index.htm

[[Category:Ducati motorcycles]]