  The Ducati GT 1000 is a real surprise. It might belong to the Sport Classic family, but it boasts of certain qualities that make it stand apart from the Paul Smart and the Sport 1000. With its straight handlebars, a really tight turning radius and a wet multiplate clutch, it’s the perfect Ducati for everyday use.
Words by: Kostas Gazis/Photography: Milagro   The design of the GT 1000 is based on the classic 1971 Ducati model GT 750. A naked motorcycle with simple, hard-hitting lines, totally devoid of plastic parts. In its heart we find the L-twin engine, a V-twin with its cylinders spaced at a 90ο angle, resembling a big L. Twin shocks, fat forks, straight exhaust pipes, a round headlamp, a flat saddle, and a frame that used the L-twin engine as a stressed member. In 1975, the engine got beefed up to 860cc, and the GT 860 remained in production until 1980, earning itself a reputation for its excellent handling.
   Back in 2005, where Ducati decided that it was time it re-lived it’s glorious past, with the production of the three Sport Classics. The GT 1000 might look like a classic, but make no mistake, it sports all the modern parts of today’s bikes. It certainly looks a tad boring, compared to the other two Sport Classics, and you immediately notice the unusually large gap between the back wheel and its fender. At the front the GT 1000 is equipped with non-adjustable 46mm inverted forks by Marzocchi. At the back we have twin  shocks by Sachs that are preload adjustable. The spoked wheels mean that you get limited choice regarding tires. The bike stops with 320mm twin disks at the front, and a 245mm at the back wheel. The engine is the well-known air-cooled V-2 Desmo 1000 Dual Spark (DS 1000). It has a 992cc displacement, a very smooth injection, and it is very torqey and linear. A real treat! It goes without saying that with a lambda sensor and two catalytic converters, the GT 1000 easily fulfills the stringent Euro 3 fuel emission standards. The fuel tank is sculpted for the rider to hold tight with his knees, but I found out that its edges dig deep into the inner thighs. Hmm.
 The instrument panel is as classic and crude as it gets. Analogue style speedometer and rev counter, and only one trip meter. A handy detail is that when you get into reserve, the trip meter resets automatically, making it easier for you to see how many more miles you have before running on empty.
 Now to the riding part. The presentation was quite short, as we covered a distance of 85km on the Bologna hills, near the Borgo Paningale Ducati factory. This is only excerpts of the full article from Greek journo Kostas Gazis. I have a Betamax video from the launch, but haven't sorted out the digitalization yet.
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