ALL THINGS CONSIDERED…
All of these bikes are striking and have their own aficionados and fan clubs. From the ‘love at first sight’ of the 750 GT to the styling of the early blue/ silver 900SS through the Darmah and the MHR, it’s hard to pick one based on looks alone. Some people prefer the GT, while others are drawn by the unmistakable fairing, tank and seat combination of the SS. Then there are those who appreciate the Darmah’s integrated ‘swoopiness’, and how can you not love the MHR’S full fairing?
I waver between them. Whichever I’m riding when I’m out on the road is the one for me! But I suppose for looks alone, if I had to choose, I’d choose the SS. If you were around motorcycles back in the 1970s, it’s just hard not to be captivated.
For all-day riding, the 750 GT and Darmah are the more comfortable bikes. Either of these would make a good touring bike for their time. Yet both have the ability to turn it on and become very sporty indeed.
The MHR and the 860 (especially with the SS accoutrements) are aimed directly at the sportbike crowd. The riding position demands it, and the chassis and motor fulfil that promise.
All four engines are strong and reliable. They each have their own quirks when it comes to starting and shifting, but they are all happy to showcase their torque and then transition into rev-generated horsepower as the tacho needle climbs. The sound they make is distinctive, even compared to each other, let alone later belt-driven Ducatis.
When riding one after the other it is hard to distinguish between them as far as power and speed. Well… that’s not quite true; the MHR feels and is the fastest. Without meaning to, I’ve seen the speedometer top 220kph with throttle left in hand! But while the Darmah, 860 and 750 all feel different to ride because of the seating positions, switchgear, instruments, brakes, and so on, from an engine and power delivery point of view I’d swear they were all the same.
I should probably take them to the drag strip to answer that question. Instead my brother Tim and I did a roll-on comparison. Starting in second on a deserted stretch of road, the 860 left the 750 behind. The 860 motor is definitely stronger, and since all of the bodywork on the 860 is SS fibreglass, it is somewhat lighter than the 750, and much lighter than the 860 GT would be in stock livery. I guess that proves that ‘feel’ isn’t everything.
All of these bikes shine on an open road with a limitless horizon. Which is my favourite? The last one I rode. After a day’s riding I think to myself ‘Wow, that is the best bike I own!’ And the next day, after getting off one of the others, I think the exact same thing! Still, if I had to pick, I would choose the 750 GT. I think it is the best all-arounder of this bunch. And as the first of Ducati’s twins and the last of the round-case bevel drivers, it has a cachet that I like. Other opinions are available!