Ducati SS620ie Sport

* Ducati SS620ie Sport Price £5,000 half faired :
* 618cc, air cooled, 4v, V-twin :
* Claimed power 61bhp@8,750rpm :
* Wet weight (no fuel) 181.6kg half-faired. :
* Insurance 13 :
* Contact: Ducati UK on 08451 222996

Ducati has dabbled with entry-level SS machines before – the old-style 600SS (discontinued in 1998) offered a cheap entry to Ducati sportsbike ownership. But it was stymied by lack of power and indifferent chassis. The 583cc motor survived in the Monster 600, until that got a kick in the pants in 2001, replaced by a stroked 618cc, fuel injected engine. And that's what's tucked away inside the 620 Sport.
The chassis is similar to the other SS models, but with lower spec. The swingarm is steel, not aluminium, the forks are cheaper unadjustable Marzocchis and the rear shock is a budget Sachs item. Tyres are elderly Bridgestone BT57s, sound on a tourer, but unimpressive on any bike with the word 'Sport' on the side.
The shorter seat height and lower weight make the 620 feel more manageable paddling round a car park, but on the move the dated tyres and unsophisticated forks undermine the experience. The 620 is arguably suited to more relaxed riding. Peak power output of 61bhp is a bit limp compared with the 70bhp of Suzuki's SV650, but closer than the old bike. There's a pleasing power delivery too – the 620 Sport revs higher than its bigger siblings, and makes a lovely sound while it does it.
Priced to sell at £5,000 (half-faired), it's the best way into a cheap Ducati, and is close enough to the SV650 in price and performance to make it worth a look