British Motorcycle Gear

There are only a couple Ducatis that make my Dream Bike fantasy garage and the numero uno, top dog, ultimate Ducati is the springer 860. Unlike most Ducatis, this square-case, 90-degree, V-twin motorcycle eliminates the positive-closing desmodromic valve actuation system and in its place uses a conventional spring-return valve train. To some posers this change negates the whole reason for owning a Ducati. Not in my view: The ability to set valve lash with only a potato peeler on a motorcycle axle deep in cow manure plus the fact that I rarely run any motorcycle at valve floating RPMs means Desmo Ducks hold no advantage for me.

Is it wrong to love a motorcycle solely for its looks?  Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Jetson-cartoon styling speaks of optimism and a bold stepping-forth into the future. It looks fabulous and slabby and never ages in my eyes. This is one of those motorcycles you can stare at for hours. Why stop there? I’ve never ridden an 860GT so I’m just extrapolating from Ducati’s past performance but I’m sure the thing will handle street riding without issue.

The bikes were available with electric start for the kicking-impaired and after 1975 Ducati exchanged the perfect angular styling for the more traditional, rounded Desmo GT look. It was an error that I may never forgive them for. The springer 860 stayed in production a few more years but Ducati decided to go all in with desmodromic to give their advertising department some thing to boast about.

These 860GT Ducati’s are for riders. The seating position is humane, the gas tank big enough and I’ve read of some pretty astronomical miles racked up on the springer engine. A few years ago at an auction in Daytona I missed out on a beautiful red 860GT. The thing looked like new and sold for $5000. Damn cheap for such a rare (built only 2 years) and cool motorcycle.

Joe Gresh

Recent Posts

ExNotes Review: Glock (by Paul Barrett)

By Joe Berk I'm not a Glock guy and it's not likely I'll ever own…

3 days ago

A.J. Baime’s WSJ Enfield Piece

By Joe Berk A.J. Baime writes a weekly "My Ride" column for the Wall Street…

7 days ago

The Sopranos: The Final Scene

By Joe Berk Very few (if any) final scenes have sparked as much discussion and…

1 week ago

The Harley-Davidson Museum

By Joe Berk I've been a motorcycle guy nearly all my life and I've owned…

1 week ago

ExNotes Review: The 600 m.o.l. Black Helicopter Pilots in Vietnam

By Joe Berk This is the first of several book reviews to follow in the…

2 weeks ago

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

By Joe Berk The destination on this fine day was Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, part…

2 weeks ago