Duc 916 vs 996...

80ccs. How big a syringe is it?

 

996 faster.

916 better graphics.

I'm shallow.

 

Graphics are the same??!

They were different one year for the 916...but those graphics were busier and worse than the regular, understated 916/996.

 

You are up already? Jet lag works in miraculous ways!

Yup, somewhat improved, but on the 996. Ducati learnt from the 916, and there was a large infusion of cash from TPG and production facilities were upgraded early on during the 996 production run.

 

No they're not.

1994(5?)-1997 916 had "Ducati 916" diagonally. 996 had the 3 digits horizontally.

 

Whoa, this isn't your very first motorcycle is it??? The 916/996 bikes are definitely not good "first bike" material.

 

Dan, for a first bike, a 916 is way too much bike. Most 600s are, in fact. But it's your choice.

Lockhard double-bubble windscreen.
Tank guard.
Comfy grips.
Chain guard and rear hugger, or you're going to be cleaning the rear shock a lot.

Make sure you get a rear wheel stand...makes lubing the chain a cinch.

 

Right...the huge Ducati 916 or 748 emblazoned diagonally was far busier and definitely more tacky-looking, no?

 

I don't want to pick up an AK 47, and hijack this thread. Some of the people here may smile with that comment. Hi Dan.


I had a Duc (748 Mono/yellow). They are all over the place.




What do you all think of the Benelli Tornado ? I know the performance ain't that great. However the bike looks trick, and go and try to find another one on the road. I was thinking of buying a Tornado. I am supposed to look at one Thursday AM in LA.

 

No. I liked it better as originally designed. JMO.

 

Ralph,
talked to someone in the UK the other day, and he knows this stuff inside out. His candid advice was to steer clear of Benelli. He knows a lot more than I do, so forget our PM conversation and go with this as my advice...steer clear.

 

I bought a Ducati as my first bike too. That said, don't buy a 9*6 as your first bike. Have you ridden one? Go sit on one, and imagine yourself in traffic on it. As a died in the wool, bleed Ducati red, named my dog Desmo, multiple Ducati owning rider, I can say first hand that in most real world situations, a 996 truly sucks. Throw traffic laws to the wind and let 'er rip and they are awesome... ride like you enjoy having a license and they're a pain. Or at least not as fun (my opinion) as an older 900ss or any number of other bikes. I loved my '95 900ss... that would make a MUCH better 1st bike/Ducati in my book. You can buy mid-90s 900ss's for ~$4k all day long and they are great bikes. Or, try a Monster. I rode one on the Motogiro d'Italia this year and loved it. MUCH more enjoyable than a superbike would have been. (It was an S4 so had the 916 engine)

But you dont want to hear that. So...

There's a lot of good info given here already, I have a 2000 996 myself (The 5 spoke Marchesinis were the straw that broke the camel's back), and would agree that the 998 is a more desirable bike. As for 916 vs 996, my buddy just replaced the tired engine in his 916 with a 996 engine, and can't get over the difference. Before I get ragged on for comparing a tired 916 engine to a 996 engine, let me point out both engines were used, I don't see why most 916 engines wouldn't be similar in condition to his...

If you do buy a 9*6 as your first bike, don't bother with any go fast mods. You won't be able to exploit them. Corbin seat, bar risers (Pro Italia has top triples on sale for $99 that raise the bars BTW) and, um, I forget what other people mentioned. For sure regear it, unless you want a 1st gear that's a pain below about 40mph, and a 6th gear that's worthless below about 80... I know about five 9*6 owners and none of them have done the sidestand mod or changed the forks. It's your first bike. If you can ride it and tell me what you feel and why the forks need to be upgraded to fix it, you missed your calling in life...

I love Ducatis. More power to you for wanting one as your first bike. But go into it with your eyes wide open. A 9*6 is a terrible first bike for numerous reasons, not the least of which is it will require much more commitment on your part than you probably imagine. They are beautiful. They sound great. And they are uncomfortable, uncompromising, and high maintanence. For every person who claims they can ride one all day long with no problems, I can find five who can hardly stand to be on it more than an hour at a time. Hang around on speedzilla or any other Ducati site for a while and you will come across someone *****ing about their Ducati, they hate it, they wish they had bought a Honda, yadda yadda yadda...

By they way, as your first bike, it will most likely hit the ground at least once in the first year of ownership. Consider it a rite of passage. Heck, I didn't even make it 24 hours before my first one was on it's side... dropped it trying to do a slow turn (yes, i took the MSF course, it was 100% my own fault for doing somthing stupid). I did it in front of a guy I hadn't seen in years. Bless his heart, he helped me pick it up, made sure I was ok, and never once made me feel stupid. His story of dropping his BMW on his dad's newly painted Jag helped.... but not much.

And if you're truly bitten, none of this will make a difference and you're going to buy one anyway. Welcome to the club. ;-)

 

if this is your first bike I would pick up the cheapest 916 or 748 you can find and a nice set of leathers and do lots of track days. as for the power/speed of 916/996, my 916 has been tuned and dyno'd at ferracci at ~109 hp. the latest dyno was ~101, but it needs a tune up. and it is still has more power than I need.

 

Dan
Get a Euro spec 998S, same motor etc as the 996R (productionised version anyway,that is still in use in basic form with the current 999S), Ohlins suspension etc.

 

The 916 is somehow, just a twinge cooler.

In the same way that I like the 550 better than the 575.


Dan: a 916/996 will definately beat you up, but I know you like it rough

 

Dan: You may want to talk with Will Hart (Whart). He is relatively new at motocyclettas deportivo. He has a Duc.






Anyone know where a NEW 998 bike is forsale ?

I prefer a Mono. Color is not really important. I would also take the Matrix bike. I can put a C/F Mono seat on the back. I am really not interested in the 04 F.E. bike.

 

Ralph- I got rid of the Ducati (It was a 750 Monster anyway, not in the same league as a superbike). Depending on your degree of skepticism, there seem to be more than a few 2002 998's on cycletrader, and while proitalia is only currently offering a 04 'FE,' they might (subject to others who have dealt with them- I've only bought parts from them) be worth checking out. The other Ducati shop i like is BCM in New Hampshire- they know a ton about racing bikes. Bruce (who i since learned has sold the business, but still hangs out, mainly building racers) there is the man. Use my name if you call him.

I'm still kicking around the next (sports) bike. I love the MV's, but would only go for the 1000cc one, and while i'm at it, why not the Ago, and then, since it's only a few dollars more.... It makes the Duc's look downright cheap.

Not sure i'd start motorcycling on any of these, but heyk i guess my level of social responsibility tonight is at a new low.

 

Dan, I have a 998 and LOVE the testretta engine. BTW, Art is the MAN when it comes to ducs. Mike