Ducati 916 variant

[ToraTora]

We don't need no stinking rockers!

.

 

[Zerox]

This breed of bikes have always fascinated me, in a mass hypnosis kind of way. The Ducati machines had the worst quality control you could imagine and were literally falling apart, yet owners were still incredibly passionate and rabid about their chosen brand. I never understood this illogical phenomenon, and never will.

 

[ToraTora]

.

 

[ScottRNelson]

The Ducati machines had the worst quality control you could imagine and were literally falling apart, yet owners were still incredibly passionate and rabid about their chosen brand. I never understood this illogical phenomenon, and never will.

And this opinion is based on what?

I've owned four Ducatis and they were at least as reliable as the 17 other motorcycles I've owned - all but one Japanese. Since I don't really have to go with the cheapest solution, I can own what I think I'll enjoy riding the most. In the past that included Ducati motorcycles. Right now it's a KTM and a (fairly cheap) Honda. There will be other brands in my future, but very few Japanese street bikes seem to interest me.

 

[eviltwin]

There's a very clean and nicely setup yellow 998 in the for sale section at $8900. Maybe worth looking at. Testa engines are the way to go.

Link http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433571

Ride the shit out of it, park it in your living room and rub it with a diaper, either way its a moto icon.

 

[Zerox]

And this opinion is based on what?

Facts. Like the rocker arm issue you commented on earlier in this thread. And my friend with a brand new ST2, first ride the gas gauge quit working, and the headlight fogged internally. First freaking ride, the bike was brand new! He got so pissed off he replaced that ST2 with...a Ducati 996. I rest my case.

 

[SFSig]

There's a very clean and nicely setup yellow 998 in the for sale section at $8900. Maybe worth looking at. Testa engines are the way to go.

Link http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433571

Ride the shit out of it, park it in your living room and rub it with a diaper, either way its a moto icon.

This bike is actually the catalys for my writing the OP. My first reaction was "I should totally buy that thing". Then I realized how little I know about these bikes other than they're fucking beautiful and I must have one.

Good stuff keep it coming!

 

[ScottRNelson]

This bike is actually the catalys for my writing the OP. My first reaction was "I should totally buy that thing". Then I realized how little I know about these bikes other than they're beautiful and I must have one.

So buy it.

For what you've said that you wanted, that's likely as good as you'll find. Report back when you're the new owner.

 

[Goose916]

^^ This! No, it's not a Honda and if you're expecting japanese like quality control and servicing, then stop right now and just appreciate the Ducati 916-998 that others ride without actually owning it. That said, the quality of the 998 testretta is pretty damn good. Still a lil quirky, but pretty damn good.

The Desmoquattro is a good motor too, but a lot more quirks and a number of outsourced parts issues. All of those issues can be rectified, but it has a price . . . and it's a lot higher than the purchase price difference between a Quattro and a Testretta. Besides, the 'stretta makes more power, easier to work on, and I'm told they are easier to get parts for. Hell, call Nichols or Scotty at Desmoto if you are serious about buying. Neither guy will steer you wrong and they will likely know of a good candidate for sale for what you are looking for.

Oh, and the 998 in the for sale section is very nice - if you like yellow Ducs. (I just don't like the Giaolo Fly Yellow on a Ducati - I know, it's an italian thing (Red, Silver or Gialofly yellow - I'll stick with the redhead everytime).

Hip tip, get aftermarket plastics and take the OEM stuff off, wrap it in bubble wrap and only put them on for pics, bike nights, special occasions. Easy to remove and spendy as hell to replace - if you can find them. Damn, now I want a 998 too!

 

[JMardy]

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/5-noteworthy-ducatis-available-right-now/

 

[CurveSurfer]

I never understood this illogical phenomenon, and never will.

Some of us would rather ride something interesting than feel like we're riding an appliance.

I'd love Japanese reliability + interesting, but they mostly make boring, cookie-cutter bikes.

I prefer twins to I4s, so the Honda RC51 was the last Japanese bike that interested me. Maybe the crossplane R1. Otherwise? Yawn.

 

[Junkie]

I've always loved the 916's looks but wasn't overjoyed about the reputation when it comes to repairs. Consequently I just finished the installation of a 1098R engine into a 916 frame. Spent 2 full days at Thunderhill last weekend and the bike ran PERFECT, not one single problem and had tons more horsepower than the 916 ever dreamed of having (without huge mods).

So, for me, the question is, do you intend to ride it? If so, stay away from the Desmoquattro and get the Testastretta. And if you really want to have fun, stuff a 1098/1198 motor into it. Truly the best of both worlds! IMO...

I've read that pretty much any Ducati engine will bolt into pretty much any Ducati frame. Good to hear that a modern engine will bolt into a 916.

I've seen a picture of a 1098 engine in a Monster 1100, so it makes me suspect someone could bolt a modern Monster or Hypermotard engine into a 916. That might work well for a torquey street bike, with adequate power from the 1100 - it probably matches the 748 and likely weighs less.

I wonder how the mounts on the Panigale are, probably different due to mount angle.

 

[ILOAD2]

Why is the 1098 off the table?
Just curiouse.For those that have owned one is it the styling that is just not the same feel as the 916 era designs? Is the 1098 not a good motorcycle?

 

[ScottRNelson]

I wonder how the mounts on the Panigale are, probably different due to mount angle.

The Panigale engine is very different from the other Ducati engines. It isn't going to bolt into any of the other frames. Same for the Desmosedici engine.

 

[Goose916]

Why is the 1098 off the table?
Just curiouse.For those that have owned one is it the styling that is just not the same feel as the 916 era designs? Is the 1098 not a good motorcycle?

It's a great bike! So is the 999, but neither of them carries the epic styling of Tamburini's magnum opus that is the 916. That's why the engine swap is so cool, you get the styling and the hot motor with better reliability, easier maintenance and more parts availability.

For me, the 1098 was too R1 and not enough 916. I know others that love the 1098 styling and that of the 999 (which I hated, but it has grown a little on me). Still, I lusted after the power and reliability of the testretta when I had my 916.

I rode a 1098 and man, the handling made my 916 feel a bit like a truck. It was planted, just like the 916, but required so much less effort on corner entry and man did that thing come out of the corners. Spooky really. (a generous estimate of the 916's hp was 110 - that had to be crank hp and likely an optimistic view - the 1098 was an estimated 160 - still optimistic but demonstrably a bully compared to the 916)

Damn, i'm sorry, i'm post whoring here. Good luck op, get the bike you want and ride the f'n wheels off of it!

 

[ScottRNelson]

It's a great bike! So is the 999, but neither of them carries the epic styling of Tamburini's magnum opus that is the 916.

And if you're going for styling, I've always liked the 1997 and older Cagiva-style lettering on the 916 (and all Ducati other models) better than the newer style that they switched to in 1998.

Consider having a look at the different years to decide if that makes a difference to you in the looks department.

 

[CurveSurfer]

For me, the 1098 was too R1 and not enough 916. I know others that love the 1098 styling and that of the 999 (which I hated, but it has grown a little on me).

+1

The 916 is an icon. The 1098 derivative.

I hated the 999. But I've come around completely. I think it still looks unique and fresh. Later models had smoother lines, and with the red frame are gorgeous. If the 999 had a single-sided swingarm it might have been a bit less polarizing.