Would you trade your Commando for a Ducati 900ss?

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DonOR

DonOR

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A local bike collector is offering me an even trade; my '72 combat (with all the standard improvements, but scruffy, anything but a trailer queen) for his '99 900ss ff, with 20xxx miles, original, undamaged bodywork, good compression, etc. I'm kinda attached to the old Norton, and can't afford two bikes. whaddaya think?
Cheers,
Don
 
Although I've got three of 'em, I'm attached to them. It would be a toss-up between the Dunstall Combat and the Interstate.

I'd have to see the bike, and I'd probably want it to be running or not needing anything signifiicant to get it on the street...
 
kingdaddyo said:
If you like looking like a monkey on a stick, Go ahead!
Click to expand...

I already do look like a monkey on a stick... an old chimp at that!
 
If it was a vintage SS Duck from the 1970's I would have been tempted but not a 99 that you can find for $3,000 to $4,000. I know of at least three guys that have paid very low $ for Duck's like that.
 
gtsun said:
If it was a vintage SS Duck from the 1970's I would have been tempted but not a 99 that you can find for $3,000 to $4,000. I know of at least three guys that have paid very low $ for Duck's like that.
Click to expand...

so even a fully functional, running, licensed, etc. commando, that is say 8 out of 10 in appearance, is worth a bit more than the ducati, si? historical value?
 
It's not so much about historical value on this forum. This is a NORTON COMMANDO forum.

If you aren't attached to your bike, you might seriously consider the trade.

Now, if you think NORTON parts are expensive...
 
Many years ago I sold a perfectly good 1999 750 ss for $4000 so I could buy my Norton. A 1999 900 SS is about as white bread Ducati as you will find. Other than the fact that it is a Ducati and that dry clutch sound, there is nothing special about it. I have the same dry clutch sound on my 750 Combat so that will cancel that out.
If you can HONESTLY say that there is absolutly nothing special about your Norton 750 Combat Commando.........well then maybe you just better trade away. All I ask is that you keep it to yourself.
 
Wouldn't trade 2 900ss for either of my commando's. But like grandpaul said... this is a Commando forum.
 
For a 99 SS? Ain't no way...

An early bevel or early desmo, maybe... not an SS.

Besides, who wants to part with their only Norton? Not me...
 
I am with the majority on this, a rubber band 900SS is a far cry from a good trade for your Norton as they are WAY to common but a bevel would would be a whopper of a trade in your favor. you might want to look at parts prices on a duck V a commando and you will be in for a BIG surprise.
 
as I got 2 900ss inthe garage ,although carb-models (i had a injected as well ) but have ridden commandos all my bike life , i think i can judge them unbiased

a 900ss is a great bike ,handles and sounds as a proper bike should . you can make them really fly with fcr's because they actually work on them ( a poseurs thing on commandos )

a commando is a great bike , handles and sounds as a proper bike should . you can make them fly but they will blow up in the end .

so it is up to you to decide , but I wouldn't do it .....

also the injected ones are a no-go for do-it-youself mecanics like us , that's why i sold the injected and went back to carbies

Would you trade your Commando for a Ducati 900ss?


this is how my 95 bike looks like after some tlc
 
The way I see it the 99ss is common & not that I wouldn't love to have one it's just not special to me. I sold a early Fastback & my 72 750 back in 87 and ended up with a K100 BMW that I got bored with in a week & seriously regreted selling my Nortons. That mistake won't happen again.
 
Unclviny said:
Vintage Duck = do the deal,
Modern Duck = keep the Commando.

Vince
Click to expand...

only problm with bevel dukes is that if a commando is too difficult to work on for you , then a bevel will keep you awake at night
( i ran a 750 round case for 5 years as only form of transport and THAT is a bike i always regretted selling ( i did so to buy a ....Commando )
 
Commando difficult to work on? I wouldn't trade it any day after trying to change the rear lights in a Mini, I couldn't even get my hand in there, they must have hedge hogs to work on them, then there's the Saab, I couldn't even get my hand in to change the low beam lamp much less even see the connector.

Dave
69S
 
I have a buddy with several bevels, they are INCREDIBLE maintenance hogs, parts give "expensive" a new meaning, the handling is "twitchy", the brakes are touchy, 20 minutes on one and your wrists/neck/back and feet hurt, that "spray-painted 2X4" seat is a joke, but DAMN that is a FUN 20 minutes!

If you are young and flexible enough to ride an old Duck you cannot afford one, it's a cruel life rule.

Vince
 
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