Ducati Considers the 907's Replacement

DUCATI CONSIDERS THE 907’S REPLACEMENT

THE DUCATI MODEL. THAT BEGAN AS THE PASO 750, BECAME the Paso 900 and finallY the 907 i.e. currently is undergoing yet another stage of development, according to Massimo Bordi, chief' of' Ducati.

Unnamed as yet, the new bike will bow as a 1995 model, Bordi says. It will be, in Bordi's words, “More Ducati than the 907 was. The frame and suspension will be similar to that of the 888."

The bike will be positioned as a sport-touring bike, and hard luggage is under consideration for it, Bordi said. But, he added, “We’re not trying to make a BMW. We want to make a Ducati sport-tourer. It will be lighter than the 907, and faster."

The engine will use two valves per cylinder, will be liquid cooled, and will, unlike the 907 i.e., wear carburetors—this, Bordi said, because carburetors will make for a less expensive bike.

Bordi refused to speculate about the bike’s sale price, but said, with respect to pricing of the Ducati line, “We need a price premium of about 20 percent over the Japanese. We’re a small company, and we spend a lot on developing engines for competition." —Jon F. Thompson