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Ducati Sportclassic GT 1000
A true GT and more
Far more than a retro bike, the Ducati GT is a genuine all-rounder
Ducati’s new range of SportClassic bikes is meant as a tribute to the early days of the Desmo legend, but the GT 1000 is far more than that. It is an ideal bike for everyday use and especially for touring. Here’s what Ducati says in the press release.
“The feeling you get astride the GT 1000 is one of comfort and complete control. The riding position is comfortable and upright. The dual seat is comfortably padded, has a classic design and boasts the Ducati logo in white on the back. The rider’s footrests are set forward for maximum comfort and optimum ground clearance and because the GT 1000 is a true biposto [two | | seater], the position of the pillion footrests is designed for maximum comfort even on long trips.”
Yeah, yeah … we’re all used to this kind of waffle from press releases. But in this case it’s all true!
I borrowed a GT from the factory in Borgo Panigale recently for a few days and rode across the Apennines to the Mediterranean coast and back again, a total of about 800km (you’ve read about it here) and loved every minute. Not only is the performance ideal for this sort of work — the thumping of the twin is a wonderfully reassuring sound and feeling — but the suspension and the tyres work together to provide unfussed, easy riding.
Ducati’s luggage is well suited to the style of the bike but small. I can’t see it holding enough for a two-up ride lasting longer than a weekend but that’s a problem we’ll have to leave to the owners to work out. Oh, the mirrors are nice and large but they vibrate a lot, too. Fortunately there is little if any other annoying vibration.
The cues to the original Fabio Taglione style are certainly there in the GT’s design. The slim fuel tank has indents on the sides to accommodate the rider’s knees and is crowned with a chromed fuel cap. Unlike the original, the new GT has many parts such as the top yoke and handlebar clamps made of polished aluminium, which looks a lot better than the rather poorly finished and quickly tarnished metal on the GT I used to own. The exhaust system is a vast improvement as well, chromed and made with dual-walled tubing to make sure that surface remains untarnished. | | | | The GT 1000 has a similar chassis to the other Ducati SportClassic models, with a slightly longer wheelbase of 1425mm and trail of 103mm, achieved by moving the fork legs forward by 25mm with respect to the steering axis (front wheel offset) and setting the fork rake at 24 degrees. It has traditional chrome steel tubular handlebars, which use a classic bend and rise to produce a comfortable riding position ideal for every day use or touring.
Entirely unlike the original, the bike has the 43mm Marzocchi upside-down forks from the Sport 1000. To maintain the same feeling as the GT 750 of the 1970s, the rear suspension uses twin shocks, which are adjustable for spring pre-load. It’s a nice touch that the modern compound radial tube-type tyres feature tread designs derived from the classic sport bike patterns of European tyre makers.
Touring riders will be pleased to know that the multi-function instrument display includes a trip-fuel function, allowing you to check remaining mileage once the fuel reserve light is on.
The GT is already in its second model year and the news is a two-tone version in metallic-black and cream based on the classic two-tone livery of the original Ducati GT 750 launched in 1971. You could hardly get a better tribute to Ing. Taglione.
QuickspecsModel: Ducati SportClassic GT 1000
Price: $17,995 (plus on-road charges)
Warranty: Two years, unlimited distance
Power: 67.7kW at 8000rpm
Torque: 91.1Nm at 6000rpm
Engine: Air-cooled, 90 degree ‘L’ twin, four-stroke, two valves per cylinder with Desmodromic actuation, electronic fuel injection
Bore x stroke: 94 x 71.5mm
Displacement: 992cc
Compression ratio: 10:1
Transmission: Six-speed, hydraulic multi-plate dry clutch, final drive by O-ring chain
Suspension: Front, 43mm upside-down fork, travel 120mm. Rear, twin shocks, preload adjustable, travel 133mm
Dimensions: Seat height 828mm, dry weight 185kg, fuel capacity 15 litres, wheelbase 1424mm
Tyres: Front, 120/70 R17. Rear, 180/55 R17
Frame: Tubular steel trellis frame
Brakes: Front, twin 320mm semi-floating discs with two-piston floating calipers. Rear, single 245mm disc with floating caliper.
Top speed: check Motorrad 2006/20km/h
Fuel consumption: Average on test 4.1 litres per 100km, premium unleaded
Range: 365km
Colour/s: Red, grey
Verdict: Most versatile Duke
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