Classic Review: 1980 Ducati 900 Darmah SSD - A Rare Italian Beauty

Classic Review: 1980 Ducati 900 Darmah SSD - A Rare Italian Beauty

 

 

Tegan and I have just ridden something very special, the kind of motorcycle that stops you in your tracks the moment you see it. The 1980 Ducati 900 Darmah SSD is definitely one of those bikes. With its distinctive silver and blue colour scheme and that unmistakable Ducati stance, it's a proper head-turner. But what makes this particular machine truly special isn't just how it looks, it’s how incredibly rare it is. With only 1500 ever produced, this beautifully restored Italian classic delivers everything you'd want from a classic bevel-drive Ducati.

 

 

First up a big thanks to the bikes owner, Vanessa, for trusting us with her pride and joy, which she calls "the Duchess”. She reached out and mentioned she thought we should do more classic motorcycling reviews and Tegan and I were more than happy to oblige. This particular bike has only covered around 18,000 kilometres and it's absolutely stunning.

This isn't just any Darmah SSD either. This one comes with the sports pack, which means it's got those 40mm Dellorto carbs instead of the standard 32mm units, a Conti exhaust system, and a 32-tooth rear sprocket. These upgrades transform the bike's character significantly from the standard touring-focused Darmah.

 

A Unicorn in the Ducati Stable

The Darmah was born out of necessity. Ducati's 860GT wasn't exactly setting the world on fire, so in 1977 they introduced the 900 Sport Desmo ‘Darmah’ a bike that aimed to bridge the gap between touring comfort and sporting performance. The name "Darmah" apparently means "man eater”, represented by that distinctive tiger logo you'll find on the bike.

The SSD variant, introduced in 1978, was Ducati's attempt to create the ultimate sport-tourer by combining elements from both the standard Darmah and the legendary 900SS. It featured clip-on handlebars, and a half fairing in 900SS style. With fewer than 1500 ever made and only a few making their way to Australia, the Darmah SSD is one of the rarest production Ducatis you'll ever encounter.

The concept seemed sound on paper. Take the 900SS engine with its desmodromic heads and 40mm Dell'Orto carburettors, add electric start and Nippon Denso clocks for practicality, wrap it in a half-fairing similar to the SS, but keep it civilised enough for longer rides. The result was a machine that looked dramatic and promised to deliver the best of both worlds.

But here's the thing, it apparently never quite caught on. The SSD fell into that awkward middle ground between the more comfortable standard Darmah and the uncompromising 900SS. The market didn't quite know what to make of it, which is exactly why finding a good one today is such a big deal.

 

 

First Impressions: That Sound

Fire this thing up and you immediately understand why people fall in love with bevel-drive Ducatis. That L-twin soundtrack is just wonderful - there's something about the sound and vibration that gets right into your soul. It's mechanical, it's raw, and it's absolutely intoxicating.

 

 

Getting underway, I was immediately struck by how smooth the bike was. For a 45-year-old motorcycle, it's remarkably refined, certainly an easier proposition that the 900SS.  The riding position is definitely on the sporty side, there's a proper stretch to those clip-ons and a decent bend at the knee, but it's not uncomfortable. If you engage your core, it will take the pressure off your wrists, and gives you a proper sporting riding position that’s demanding but not punishing.

 

 

The handling is interesting and takes a bit of getting used to. It's not like modern bikes, it feels like it wants to stay upright initially, but once you commit to a corner and lean into it, the bike just flows with you. It's one of those classic bikes that rewards confidence and smooth inputs.

 

 

Those beautiful gold wheels are gorgeous and a real statement contrasting perfectly with the blue and sliver of the fairing and the tank.  There is something special about a bike with gold wheels, not that this bike needs anything more to make it special.

The turning circle is about what you'd expect from a 1980s Italian bike, think cruise liner navigating it's way under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and those twin Brembo discs up front are pretty wooden by modern standards with not much feel through the lever. But you ride accordingly, that’s just part of the classic bike experience.

 

 

The Surprises

One thing that really caught me off guard was how light the clutch felt. Usually, classic bikes have clutches that feel like they're trying to give you a workout, but this one was surprisingly easy to operate. Turns out Vanessa has a little trick, she sprays silicon down the inner cable and jiggles it till the inner cable is well lubricated. Smart thinking, and it makes a world of difference to the riding experience. I think I will be having a chat to Vanessa when my Laverda is back on the road, because the clutch on that bike  is a real test of strength and endurance.

The Marzocchi suspension feels pretty good too, quite plush but composed, which is impressive for a bike of this vintage.

 

 

Vanessa has added some thoughtful touches to this bike. The bar-end mirrors might look small, but they're surprisingly effective (if a bit vibey), and having two mirrors instead of the single mirror that some classic bikes come with just makes sense. The symmetry looks right, and you can actually see what's behind you.

The little details are what make this bike special. That tiger logo, the classic Ducati styling, the way everything just looks purposeful and beautiful. This is clearly from an era when motorcycles had real character and personality.

 

The Verdict

 

The Ducati 900 Darmah SSD is a genuinely special motorcycle. It's rare, it's beautiful, and it delivers that classic Ducati experience that not many brands can match. It might not have been the sales success Ducati hoped for, but that just makes finding a good one today all the more special.

Vanessa's example is particularly stunning - clearly loved and meticulously maintained. It represents everything that was great about 1980s Italian motorcycles: style, character, and that indefinable something that makes you grin every time you fire it up.

 

 

Is it practical? Not really. Is it perfect? Definitely not. But it does stir the soul and sometimes that's all that matters.

 

Thanks again to Vanessa for letting us experience this rare piece of Ducati history.

 If you'd like to see more classic bike reviews, let us know in the comments. And don't forget to check out our gear at bikertorque.com.au.