Ducati Sportclassic GT 1000

Since its first appearance in 2003, the SportClassic family has been incredibly well received all over the world. It recreates the original styles that came from the Ducati factory during the 1970s, motorcycles characterised by minimalist, sporting design with exposed frames and classic bodywork shapes typical of the ‘Café Racer’ era. To emphasis the unique style of these bikes, Ducati has applied modern engineering techniques and finishes to original component design, featuring plenty of chrome and polished finishes that literally mirror the beautiful features of the original motorcycles.

The entire SportClassic family combines retro style with modern technology and uses the fantastic Desmo 1000 DS engine. Delivering impressive torque, this air-cooled 90° L-Twin is the ideal engine for the SportsClassic models. The cylinders, with their traditional cooling fins and classic L-configuration, remind us of the original design by Taglioni. The 1000 Dual Spark Desmo two-valve engine, which complies with the Euro 3 standards,  has electronically controlled fuel injection to guarantee smooth, linear power delivery, reliability and thrilling performance.

For 2007, the SportClassic family boasts three new versions. As well as the traditional, sporty ‘monoposto’, the Sport 1000 will also be produced as a ‘biposto’ with a comfortable dual-seat for both rider and pillion to enjoy. So as to have the best of both worlds, the Sport 1000 biposto comes complete with a removable rear seat-cover so as to retain that perfect Café Racer style when riding solo.  A further biposto version is the new Sport 1000 S. Using a classically shaped half-fairing with central round headlamp in keeping with the 70s styling, the new model uses a seductively simple new colour scheme of red bodywork, red Trellis frame and swingarm with contrasting black alloy engine covers and black wheels rims to mimic that early racing style.
As well as its two traditional colours of red and grey, the GT 1000 will also be presented in a new two-tone livery of metallic-black and cream, which recalls the original designs of this Ducati grand tourer.

As a result of constant investment in engineering and quality control, every model in the 2007 range will benefit from a new maintenance programme in which servicing intervals have been extended, less parts are required and fewer operations have to be performed. The result is that the bike’s overall scheduled maintenance costs are reduced by up to 50%.

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Sport GT 1000

Born as a tribute to the essential beauty of the Ducati GT models of the 1970s, the GT 1000 is ideal for everyday use. Thanks to its perfect balance between the comfort of the Trellis framed chassis and the performance of the Ducati Desmo L-Twin engine the GT is perfect whether you ride alone or two-up. Every component is made with the highest quality materials and designed with performance in mind, and that’s just as it should be for a bike based on Ducati’s historic models. Despite being unashamedly classic in inspiration, the GT is still a thoroughly modern Ducati when it comes to power, handling, safety and thrilling ride.

The feeling you get astride the GT 1000 is one of comfort and complete control. The riding position is comfortable and upright. The dual-seat is comfortably padded, has a classic design and boasts the Ducati logo in white on the back. The rider’s footrests are set forward for maximum comfort and optimum ground clearance and because the GT 1000 is a true biposto, the position of the pillion footrests are designed for maximum comfort even on long trips.

The form of the GT 1000 represents a modern interpretation of the classic lines of the original GT of the 1970s. The slim, ergonomic fuel tank has two indents on the sides to accommodate the rider’s legs comfortably, and is crowned with a chromed fuel cap. The front and rear mudguards and side panels are also reminiscent of the 70s originals. Many parts, such as the top yoke and handlebar clamps are made of polished aluminium, which complements the chrome finish of the wheels, handlebars, rear-view mirrors, and instrument panel. The exhaust system is also chromed and is made with dual-walled tubing to make sure the chromed surfaces remain untarnished.

The new feature this year is the two-tone version. In metallic-black and cream, it is based on the classic two-tone livery of the original Ducati GT 750 launched in 1971.

The ALS 450 steel tubular Trellis frame and the swingarm are finished in gloss black. They are similar to the Sport 1000 except for the addition of mounting points for the twin shocks and the side panels.  Light, rigid and beautiful, it’s perfect for the GT 1000 and delivers precise and confident handling.

The GT 1000 has traditional chrome steel tubular handlebars, which use a classic bend and rise to produce a comfortable riding position ideal for every day use and touring.

The GT 1000 model has similar chassis characteristics to the other Ducati SportClassic models, with the GT 1000 having a slightly longer wheelbase of 1425mm and trail of 103mm, achieved by moving the fork legs forward by 25mm with respect to the steering axis (front wheel offset) and setting the fork rake at 24°.

Using a welded steel tube swingarm, made from extruded, formed tubing with an outer diameter of 60mm and wall thickness of 2mm, it features two legs linked by an elliptical cross-member, thus ensuring a high level of rigidity, which has a positive effect on ride precision. It features the same simple chain adjustment system as the Sport models.

Up front the bike is fitted with high performance 43mm Marzocchi upside-down forks, derived from the Sport 1000. As the GT 1000 is a contemporary interpretation of the GT 750 of the 1970s, the rear suspension layout uses twin shocks, which are adjustable for spring pre-load. The two Sachs shocks also have a refined finish; the aluminium top collar, black springs and the bright zinc-coated shock body all recall the style of the past.

Overall, the Trellis frame and quality suspension combine to make the GT 1000 a surprisingly competent sport bike, yet with great comfort and ergonomics for everyday two-up riding and weekend touring.

Like all SportClassic models, the GT 1000 mounts classic wire-spoke wheels that enhance its ‘vintage’ style.

The classic centre-spoke Excel 17” wheels are formed in chromed steel and laced to silver painted aluminium alloy hubs. The wheels mount modern compound radial construction tube-type tyres with tread designs derived from the classic sport bike patterns of the European sport tyre manufacturers. The 36 chromed spokes are made of dehydrogenated steel.

The front brake system of the GT 1000 consists of two Brembo floating callipers with 30 and 32mm diameter pistons which are thermally insulated. The discs are semi-floating with a diameter of 320mm and a thickness of 4mm. The spoke wheels made it necessary to use this type of caliper, which is more compact on the side facing the wheel. The calipers on the GT 1000 are mounted on two hubs so that the pad on the opposite side of the pistons can be compressed against the disc. The rear brake system consists of a floating single piston Brembo 34mm caliper with high friction sintered pads and a 245mm disc.

The GT 1000 sports a new stainless steel chromed exhaust system. The system features distinctive twin silencers positioned symmetrically on both sides of the bike. The lines and colours of the silencers take their styling cue from the exhausts used on GT bikes of the 70’s. A special feature of this system is the dual-walled header-pipes. This is composed of two tubes, one inside the other, which creates a layer of air providing lower temperatures on the outer tube. Thanks to this system, it is possible to maintain the quality of the chrome finish despite the considerably high temperatures of a modern-day exhaust system.

The two systems, which are joined by a compensation tube on which the lambda probe is mounted, flow into two silencers which are fixed to the foot-peg units by means of a black stainless steel support. The GT 1000 responsibly complies with EURO 3 anti-pollution standards by way of a lambda probe inside the compensation tube of the exhaust and two trivalent catalysers housed in the two silencers.

As with the first Sport models, the GT 1000 introduces an array of features that profoundly reflect the style of the past, albeit in a modern way. The unmistakeable style of the GT 1000 is accentuated by the rounded lines of the fuel tank and the harmonious form of the side panels. The unique shape of the seat, which has been specifically designed for rider and passenger comfort, as well as the exclusive fully-chromed exhaust system and the gorgeous spoked chromed wheels complete the stunning effect

Astride the bike you are immediately aware of the attention to detail: the shiny chromed fuel cap and the distinctive polished and anodised steering head that support chromed handlebars.

The chromed rear-view mirrors are specially designed for this new SportClassic and their exceptional size ensures excellent rear visibility even with a passenger on board.

Your gaze also falls upon the instrument panel with classic black faces set-off by chromed trim rings and control buttons.

The distinctive shape of the plush padded seat, highlighted with a stitched cover, enhances the classic looks of the GT 1000, without neglecting rider and passenger comfort.

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Technical Specifications

Engine

Transmission

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