Motorcycle specifications DucatiPaso 906 1989 Ducati upgrades Sport-GT

Ducati was going through a serious financial crisis when it was acquired by the Cagiva Group in 1985. With its legendary models, the brand that had made Desmo technology its own was no longer as innovative as it had once been.

The Pantah engine was promising, but its development was still far from its potential.

As soon as it took control, the group decided to concentrate all its efforts on this engine, and to demonstrate the brand's revival, to bring out an ambitious model. The project was an easy one for Cagiva. In fact, the Group had already considered a project for a large "Sport-Touring" model based on a Ducati engine, the design of the chassis of which had been proposed to Bimota. The project was considered too expensive and shelved (but was later taken up by Bimota under the name DB1)

In 1985, Massimo Tamburini (a transfer from Bimota), who had joined Cagiva, took over the project and designed a square-section tubular frame with a double cradle perfectly suited to the Pantah engine.

The Paso was launched in 1986 with a 750cc engine. The name Paso is a tribute to the driver Renzo Pasolino, a friend of Tamburini's who died tragically during a race at Monza.

The prototype shown to the public at the last motorcycle shows of 1985 was an instant crowd-pleaser. The "full enclosed" styling and rounded lines are almost unanimously appreciated, yet come as a huge surprise to those accustomed to the brand's strong focus on hardcore sports bikes.

The finish is quite good, almost up to Japanese standards, but the bike is expensive and a little below its Japanese rivals in terms of power.

To remedy this, Ducati upgraded the Paso in 1988 with a more modern 904cc engine. The bike weighed 20 kg more, but gained 12 horsepower and torque, making it a very good luxury sports tourer.

It would become the 907 and then the 907 IE as it evolved, inspiring the launch of the Ducati ST range in the 90s.

Tanthallas - Photo credits D.R.