Exclusive Test: 2006 Ducati SportClassic Paul Smart 1000LE

sweet ride, I've always loved ducatis. This rivals the 916. No I'm not going to gloat about the first post.



ps, why is it raining so much in Oregon.

I ride a VFR because it can do almost anything you ask of it and you can almost always find a dealer nearby if something goes wrong, but there can be no doubt that the folks at Ducati have a passion for motorcycles that goes to the bone. Sochiro was a guy who did what he wanted to do, and I think Ducati is the same way. It will be interesting to see what passion Honda retains after the passing of The Great Man, who believed in the V4 passionately, compared to Ducati, and how they respond to the death of Doctor T. The 1000 LE sounds like it throws the gauntlet down for any company who claims to have motorcycles in their blood.

I ride a VFR because it can do almost anything you ask of it and you can almost always find a dealer nearby if something goes wrong, but there can be no doubt that the folks at Ducati have a passion for motorcycles that goes to the bone. Sochiro was a guy who did what he wanted to do, and I think Ducati is the same way. It will be interesting to see what passion Honda retains after the passing of The Great Man, who believed in the V4 passionately, compared to Ducati, and their belief in the the desmo. The 1000 LE gives an indication of how his sucessors think, and I think the gauntlet has been thrown down to all who consder themselves something more than another corporate entity, with one eye always fixed on the bottom line.

I saw one this past Sturday at a show in Hartford CT, right next to a GT1000...and my only thought was "which one do you chose if you can only have one?". The fit and finish, attention to detail, quality of parts, and sheer beauty of the bikes is even more impressive in person. I don't see how you could go wrong owning one of these speciality bikes, and I suspect they will hold their value and eventually appreciate over time, if they do keep them to limited numbers. And if they don't...so what! It's good for the financial health of the company and a pleasure for me to see someone go by on one. Hat's off to Ducati - these are some of the best looking bikes I've ever seen.

Oh, I forgot to add, I also looked at some of the new Moto Guzzi's, and they too are impressive - to the point that I will seriously consider one when it's time to replace my ZZR1200. I will also look long and hard at Ducati. Kudos to both marques for keeping the pricing to reasonable levels. If I wasn't married (and okay, had more money)...I'd keep the Zed (it's a brilliant bike, much under-appreciated)...add a Duc or Moto Guzzi...add a KTM Super Moto...add a Suzuki DRZ400S or new Kawasaki KLR250...maybe the new BMW M model R1200GS....



It's an exciting time to be in this sport.

I don't want one. I want two.

Now that was a fun read!



Let's hope they produce them long enough for me to get my hands on one of the three models.



Does anyone know if this is a one shot production or will they be available in '07?

I was referring to the three retro models on not the limited Paul Smart model. thanks!

I really like the concept of the old-style new technology. I think this is a much better use of talent than the MH900.

I would love to see ducati select benchmark models and reproduce a limited run of such bikes. I would be in line for an 888sp.



Nice report Yossef, thanks.

There goes the bank account

Damn Yosef! Your report on the MV Agusta Brutale inspired me to buy one and now this!

All three sport classics are gorgeous. I won't be buying a Paul Smart or a GT1000 simply because the riding position is torturous and there's no place to put a girl.

The GT1000 is coming out in the summer and I will be paying a visit to my local Ducati dealer.

Thanks Yossef!



Nice read, and even better interview!

Beautiful,simply beautiful.Only one Duc dealer here in Nevada in Reno,So i guess I,m gonna take alook at that thruXton after all.Maybe buy an aftermarket fairing.Yosseff[forgive me if I mispelled your name] you are the Poet Laureate of moto journalists.I could clearly feel your thoughts and emotions being translated from pen and paper to my soul.Fine job,fine job!!!

I guess Ducati is an acquired taste that I have not acquired... They are certainly unique motorcycles and inspire great passion among Ducati aficionados.

where are the videos?

Re: There goes the bank account

The GT1000 comes with a kitchen?

Re: There goes the bank account

And she has to ride barefoot.

Thanks again Yossi for a great article, you really pushed some buttons with this one. One of my most emotional bikes ever was a 1988 Ducati Paso 750, it was 1992-3 and as a poor student I didn't have money for anything else that year. I bought it as a comfortable replacement for a 1987 GSX-R750 I had and put 30000 km on it that year and the problems just wouldn't stop coming. It was also the best sounding bike I ever owned with the after market Termignoni silencers I put on it.

It was really all-japanese bikes for me ever since, but I really loved that bike.

Maybe now that I'm somewhat settled I could afford another bike with some "character".

no video no party

sorry not this time, weather was too crappy

Great artical, I checked those two out at the IMS in Seattle and immediatly fell in lust...



The GT model would be more my cuppa' tea though. I proved to myself with the Thruxton that I'm not a skinny kid in my teen's, turning everything I could get my hands on into a cafe` bike anymore. I still love the look and style of cafe` bikes, these flip my switch everytime. Maybe I could buy one and put it in the front room to look at.......



I don't find Ducati re-building designs from their past as predictable anymore than Triumph or Mini and VW. Niether of the cars are true reps, and BMC/ British Leyland doesn't even exist anymore. Predictable would be one of the Japanese companys building a "GB' styled bike. A 6 cylinder 250 Honda Hailwood rep with lights would be pretty cool though...Or a sohc 750 four rep.