First Ride: 2005 Ducati Sport Classics

Ducati has decided to go back in time to invest in its future by introducing two bikes from its new Sport Classics range. Back in the early seventies the Italian firm burst onto the big-bike scene for the first time with its big-bore V-twin engined road and race bikes. And its Paul Smart 1000 and Sport 1000 bikes have been built to celebrate those halcyon days.

Mixing '70s style with today's technology, the bikes give you the best of both eras. And after riding the pair of them round and about Florence in Italy for a day, I'd say they're good enough to sell by the truckload. They're both highly enjoyable to ride and will help to generate many memories, especially for those who can remember some of the firm's original V-twin superbikes.



Getting your hands on the Paul Smart 1000 will be tricky though. Only 2000 are being made, of which only around 120 are coming to the UK. And most are already spoken for. The 1000cc V-twin-engined sportsbike is a tribute to British racer Smart (brother-in-law to the late, great, Barry Sheene) who, against all odds, won the inaugural Imola 200 race in 1972. The famous victory proved Ducati could beat the best, and the famous firm has never looked back. Until now that is.



The bike mimics the style of Smart's racer quite closely and looks well with in its silver bodywork and green trellis frame. The twin exhausts are a neat touch and sound gorgeous when the butterflies are opened. Look closer and you'll see many parts have been engineered to replicate those fitted to Ducatis of days gone by. Bits like the spoked wheels, white-faced instruments, and Ducati logos on the tank all follow the 70s theme authentically. Even the Phantom Sportscomp tyres, specially made by Pirelli, have a wavy tread pattern like the famous original Phantoms of the 70s. Now that's what I'd call attention to detail.

Thankfully, the feel from riding the bike is a lot more up to date, with performance that would leave the Imola-winning racer for dead. The free-revving twin-spark 1000DS V-twin engine is the same one fitted to the Monster 1000, Multistrada and 1000SS and is well proven.

Its 92bhp power output is good enough to send the bike to around 130mph, and with its broad spread of power is very easy to use. There's a bit of the usual snatching at low rpm in some of the bigger gears, but otherwise the motor feels very sorted and civilised. It's not superfast and there's no real point thrashing it, but its easy-going torquey character is perfect for a bike of this sort.



The bike's chassis is more than able to contain any enthusiasm the engine might want to test it with. Handling is very light and flickable and makes cornering easy and fun. The steering is fast enough for the bike to change direction in a jiff, and there's a damper to curb any flightiness that might develop.

The Ohlins forks and single rear shock (mounted to one side on the banana-shaped swingarm) unsurprisingly, work very well. And both can be quickly adjusted to suit the needs of different riders and their riding styles. With more than decent Brembo brakes on hand to deal with any pace, it's safe to go fast on the Smart bike too. Speed and style are the hallmarks of this excellent, nostalgia-evoking machine.



The slightly lesser spec Sport 1000 also prompts plenty of enjoyment. And does so a much cheaper price. Essentially it's the same bike without the fairing and with more basic suspension with forks that can't be adjusted. Ironically it's a bit more fun to ride.

Less bodywork means slightly less weight and bulk so it's even easier to throw around. And slightly higher bars and plusher forks mean a bit more comfort. Though like the Smart bike it's hard on the wrists in town. In the same fashion as that bike, the Sport 1000 been inspired by the past and apes the Ducati 750 Sport of the early seventies.



Period detailing of both bikes is superb, and with very well made parts and a deep lustrous paint finish they are the best built Ducatis I've ever seen. They may have drawn their inspiration from the past, but the Sport Classics should help to guarantee the famous firm's future. Just like they did the first time round.

They Sport 1000 is in production now and should be in the shops by the end of the month. The Paul Smart 1000 will be available a month later. Both bikes can be customised using a range of official accessories, including exhausts, carbon parts and a paddock stand, will be in the shops very soon.



The more sensible GT1000, is the third of the Sport Classics. It features a twin seat, shocks and exhausts and upright bars. It's expected to be the most popular of the trio and goes on sale next April.





The Imola 200 victory

There's no doubt about it, the victory in the Imola 200 was a turning point in Ducati's history. Back in 1972 the likes of MV, and the big Japanese factories ruled the racing roost. Ducati only made small capacity single-cylinder racers and no one, especially Paul Smart, gave the new Desmo 750cc V-twin a hope, never mind a chance of victory.



Smart, who was racing full-time in the AMA championship in the US, was hard up, and admitted he was only riding for the money. He reckoned the bike would be too slow and unreliable.



But as soon as he tested it at Modena he broke Agostini's lap record and showed the bike was competitive. Then in the race a few days later, against top opposition including Ago and Phil Read, and despite losing first gear in the early laps, he crossed the line first to record a fairytale win. Ducati had arrived and went on to big bike glory on both road and track.

STAT BOX

Paul Smart 1000 (Sport 1000)

Price: GBP 9,500 (GBP 7,500) otr

Performance: 130mph

Power: 92bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque: 67ft/lbs @ 6,000rpm

Engine: 992cc, air-cooled, desmodromic, four-stroke, two-valves per cylinder, 90-degree V-twin

Seat height: 825mm

Dry weight: 187kg (179kg)

Bore x Stroke: 94 x 71.5mm

Compression ratio: 10:1

Transmission: six-speed

Available: November (October)

Performance: 4

Economy: 4

Style: 5

Overall: 5