Ducati 996 | The bikes we buy | MCN
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- #Ducati #996 #mcn
MCN's Head of Content, Chris Newbigging talks us round his beautiful Ducati 996. Listen to his chat with Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves, here.
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section!
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Can you think of a prettier sportsbike than Chris' Ducati? (There can't be many...)
no
It is beautiful but today you can get a lighter bike with more power which still is less extreme, like a Speed Triple 1200RR, which in my opinion also is better looking and more comfortable.
Well, as an old Ducati guy, let's see; round case 750SS, Pantah, F1, 851, 888, Superlight SS, Supermono 😉
748? But then, I have one and I may be biased?
Yeah, the 998, it has a nicer looking fairing, all smooth and sexy looking.
we need more content like this. One of the things about old bikes we all really appreciate is how well the riders and the community get to master/know them through the years.
I have a 2001 996S and its cranky, geared too tall, vibrates, has a grabby clutch, runs hot and not very comfortable but all that is forgotten when you hit the twisties! Bike is amazing and has the best sounding twin paired with super model looks, has to be one of the most beautiful bikes ever made! Nice review and really like the improper black wheels and sounds fantastic😎
For the 2001 996, the Showa front forks and Ohlins rear shock was the stock suspension. However, the Ohlins steering damper is a definite upgrade!
Great video guys!
I’ve owned a 996 since 2003. I’m on my second and have put on a little over 100,000 kms on them in that time. Mine is significantly modified to get weight down and make it more responsive than stock overall. When it’s running properly ( it definitely hasn’t been a trouble free relationship over those 20 years! ) it’s so damn satisfying to ride and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s a true classic of Italian motoring, whether two wheels or four
I lightened everything all over the bike!
Since you’re racing you can loose all the street stuff which will loose a good amount of weight. The front headlights and holder are really heavy, for instance.
Anything that spins is a good place to loose weight. Flywheel and clutch components for instance. Wheels, if you can afford them, also makes a huge difference.
A light weight, modern battery is a really easy, inexpensive way to loose 5 or 6 pounds.
My bike is about 60 pounds lighter than stock. Some of that comes from all body parts including gas tank being carbon fiber, which is expensive. But i would say the first 30 pounds or so doesn’t need to be that expensive, and will have a big impact on how responsive the bike is.
Good luck and have fun at the track together
This is my Mona Lisa 🥰
Thanks for making him start her up, Michael 👌
And the sound is just enough to feel monsterous
That's why I don't ever want to sell my K6GSXR 1000 it's 13000 miles and no buttons,,abs ,, it's my favourite bike,, and that's the important thing,, it's the individual choice,, great video 👍 from northern Ireland ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Still one of the best looking bikes ever made. Ive had two 916's years ago and there was just something special about them thats hard to put in to words if you haven't owned one, the feeling you get when riding one is something special and you cant park one up without looking back at it in awe when walking away! I have an 848 evo now, it always reminds me of the 916 when I ride it. Im constantly going in to the garage just to have a look at her and a sniff of the Termis :)
You sound just like me, looking at my Ducati 1098s in the garage, no matter what I always have to take a peek.
@@FAMA-18 one of the best looking bikes? no, it IS the best looking bike ever produced
Love my SPS these bikes are rolling art and performance Ducati built bikes to race then put a headlight on
Iconic bike.
I have a from new a 998, it’s done 72,000 miles. Never any issues. Just replaced the dry clutch plates every 15k otherwise they rattle. Belts every 12k. I’ve also had the forks and shock sorted by K-Tech. Made it better for the road as it’s softer with improved damping. Now I’m over 60 Ive moved the handle bars above the forks, dropped the forks for clearance. Ive a few bikes but this would be the last to sell.
I have the same bike but yellow, bought it new in 2000, done just over 30k trouble free miles Inc several tours of Scotland in all weathers, I'm 59 now and still love riding it, have done all the mods this has had done also.
998 Matrix is the dream bike
A work of art..
In 1993 I had a 900SS but longed for a 888SP5. Then I saw the new 916 at the NEC bike show...what a game changer. But now I would still love an SP5.
I’ve found it impossible to fall out of love with the 916/996. Very exclusive riding experience that no other bike will give you.
90s-10s were the golden age of Ducati Superbikes.
That is a bloke who is truely in love with his bike. So passionate and knowledgeable.
Aaah, but your spot on. Had a 996/1098 motor and a rc36 built with rc45 fairings that i traded for a 22 v4 panigale. The v4 is now sold 2 summers later… it’s something with these 90s bikes. Sound, smell, connection or drive experience if you will. Got me 97 blade instead. Yep, old fart I am… but happy again!
The best looking bike ever made by a long way
What a beautiful bike....keep up the great content.
That Duck sound... Awesome!
I saved for 4 years to buy one back in the day. Still the best looking and sounding bike ever made for the road, enjoy Chris. 👌
You been drinking?
@@speedbird2166 I know, he hasn't seen my ZX9r has he 😂
@@HalfdeadRiderneither my Z900 with an open Marving back in the late 70s 😂
@@kwakithailand 😂 😂
@@HalfdeadRiderno one is going to be fawning over a zx9r 20 years from now unlike a 996
This was favorite bike when I was growing up. I never got one. I ended up being an R1 guy.
Fantastic video from some good lads. Icon bike known around the world. A feeling unlike the others when riding one. Bellissimo.
Clack clack clack goes the dry clutch yummy 🤤.
Thank you for a video not full of silly editors saying stupid things. Only thing better on this video would have been a go pro camera point of view ride ;)
I owned a 996 for about 3 years and sold it 6 years ago. I regret it. I own a 2010 R1 now and a 2009 ZX6R track bike. I would buy it back in a second.
I was 14 when the 916 came out, and it was alrdeady 5 years being obsessed with bikes. This one was something else regarding to styling, exclusivity, price too. As Chris said, the first time you hear it, it will stay in your mind forever. Still dreaming of testing one, one day. Very good user review. Many thanks.
I had a 996. Beautiful bike. Rode like no other.... But it was the biggest mechanical POS ever devised. Sprag clutches. Starters. Electrical system. Cooling system. Rear brake. Finally got so tired of throwing money at the silly thing that I virtually gave it away.
Never own another Ducati again.
😂
I’ll echo your statements on the 996. Mine’s been a pain and it spends more time being broken than functional. Conversely, it shares a garage with an 848 EVO and Streetfighter 848, both of which have been faultless. Reliability got way better after the 916 era.
The 916 was when it started for me. 😊
When I saw the movie FLED in the 90s I said to myself thats my next bike. I was ready to do anything to have one.
Anything Neevesy worth a watch and I have always lusted after a 996. Do like Practical Sportsbikes too, had my TRX850 in there a few years ago, miss that bike. That 996 sounds amazing!
What a beautiful bike, it's also good to see Chris, I loved Practical Sportsbikes mag 👍
I bouught my 916 in 1997, new, I still own it, there is nothing like it.
Still a fantastic looking dream machine 👌😍
996 dream bike
I have a 2000 996 BiP painted orange like the British SBK livery. It gets attention everywhere I go. I agree, it's the sound that really gets me, it's emotional and intangible, and really needs to be experienced to understand.
Yep!! that's the broom, broom sound!
Wonderful video, not just the bike, which is iconic, but to hear the love of the owner.
This guy is living his dream ( and mine too).
Great video
Same bike I had!! I miss it so much!!! I sold it in 2014. I started with this base model 996 monoposto and put roughly $20000 more onto it on extensive engine work, SPS computer and cams, ms production RS bodywork, 54mm full exhaust, magnesium wheels
I started riding two years ago and my first big bike, to my surprise and appreciation, was a 748. I love it so much. I don’t ride fast but I love the feel, sound, looks and am staggered that for £4,500 I could own such a stunning and iconic looking bike. I frequently get thumbs up from people that see it. I’ve toured with it and found it comfortable (I’m 6ft4). Not being UKEZ compliant means she is currently with a friend in the country and I use my GSA but when my mind drifts to think about a ride, it’s the 748 I wish I could use.
Such a pretty bike
This bike is still more head turning and captivating that seeing a 959 or V4 on the road. The sound is orgasmic and so deep you feel it in your chest!
Great looking bike, rode one 20 years ago and that exhaust is HOT in traffic.
bike is a pain in traffic with tall gearing and grabby dry clutch😎
That’s an amazing bike, and these videos are great.
This is one of the most beautiful creation of human
There’s a video floating around of a guy giving a random roadside barn owner a couple hundred bucks to look around and cherry pick potential antiques to restore and sell. Once inside he found one of these beauties with a few hundred miles on it that hadn’t seen light in years. Epic find and I can imagine quite the come up from a couple hundred dollars once cleaned up and sold. Can you imagine? The luck of some people!
Fantastic bike, great to hear real people talking about their passion. Back in the nineties, when Lotus was developing the original Elise, the designer Julian Thomson and the engineer Richard Rackham were mates and both road Ducatis - a 916 and a 748. They credit the Ducati with the inspiration for some of the design features in the Lotus Elise. I remember Richard Rackham saying that you don't use these bikes to their limit, how could you, but maybe you were lucky enough to be able to buy something just because it was beautiful. 👍🇦🇺
I owned a 748 in my 30's, a 916 in my 40's and 50's and now in my 60's, a 749. Overall I would say the 749 is a far more refined, comfortable and usable road bike. It certainly doesn't have the looks of the other two but it really is a pleasure to own. I agree about the 916 gearing too. I changed the drive gearing on the 916 and also fitted a 180 rear. Lost a bit of top end speed but the bike was much more usable on the road. Actually more like the 748 I had previously. Neevsey is spot on. Back in the day, the Ducati's turned many a head and started umpteen conversations with total strangers due to their uniqueness (biker's and non biker's alike). Being as I am now virtually a pensioner, I think my superbike days will end with the 749. I'm very lucky and grateful that I was able to save hard and experience them all during my riding years. Budget sensibly for the maintenance costs as they are asbsolutely incredible machines to own and ride.
I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as these two, but this was fascinating.
I’ve got an 848, which I love but I pine for one of these…hands down the best looking Superbike ever made - to me anyway :-)
A thoroughbred, is always a thoroughbred!!! Maintaining it with love that is.
Ah, that sound.
Amazing! I really want one of these. Stunning
These were racebikes true and true!! Horrible to ride on the streets. I rode mine on the streets for 2 years before I converted it to a racebike. What a miserable 2 years! This bike hates traffic and stop go stop go. The heat is immense from under the seat. Your wrist will always hurt. On the track you dont feel any of that.
I did the exact same thing, 2 years for me as well before the track fairings went on.
I have a 999s with termignoni. And it is horror to Ride in traffic.
Wish i could own one of these, but as I’m 65 i bought a Sports Tourer ST4S with the same 996 engine. It’s more comfortable and I love the way mine sounds too!
Work of art !
Definitely best looking bike ever
Gorgeous lines on them. Timeless.
7 or 8K for a bike as gorgeous, timeless and iconic as that? That's a bloody steal!
Excellent video, Chris that is a lovely bike. I echo all the feelings you mentioned. I am custodian of a 996 SPS and it’s the best bike I have owned. What is amazing to me every time I ride her, is that for 23 years old bike the handling is still up there with the modern stuff. For the road its perfect, on track could do with a little more power. But would not change anything. Keep the videos coming.
Agree I have the same thing and the same feelings . They are 100% brilliant.
Great bike with a great story. It makes it even better having belonged to Chris's Dad.
Chris, thanks for sharing the bike with us - still fantastic looking machine after all those years!
Ace bike but 888 is the best sounding ducati v twin
Stunning looking motorcycle!
The bike that got me in this game.
Fabulous had one for 6 years south of France 3 times did exactly same to mine . Gutted didn't think of changing the gearing. 😍
This is an absolute beauty
That bike will always been viewed as the best looking bike ever made.
Indeed
The lad has taste...
I have a 998, after riding it on the roads for a couple years I converted it to track only. It really is the worst road bike ever because it is zero fun when ridden at low speeds. To me the very rare sunday morning lap, where you actually have clear roads needed to enjoy it, was not enough to justify it. On the track however, it is absolutely marvellous. And for better or worse, it attracts more attention in the paddock than all the V4S's put together.
I have the same radial masters, but also upgraded the front calipers to the ones from the early 999s, which are much better than the stock ones when pushed on track. I actually wonder how Chris' brakes feel with the radial master but the old calipers, the master is a larger diameter (because the matching calipers have larger pistons) and should theoretically make the brakes feel a bit wooden.
I can totally relate to your comment. I too have a 998 and I live in a densely populated area and still ride on the roads. Sunday mornings are the best, but most other times, it is difficult to find roads without traffic. If there was a track closer, mine would also be track only. Ive also thought about upgrading the calipers from the early 999s. It would make sense too since I have a 999 deep sump engine in mine. I absolutely love these bikes.
The fact the 916-onward bikes still look so good today shows you how incredible the design was!!!
The 916 is undoubtedly a design classic. Not just in the world of motorcycles but in design history.
Yeaaaaaaa! Finally a super bike
Awesome
Belt every couple of years only doing 3,000 miles in 5 years? 😮
They have a 2 year calendar life, which is very conservative and probably stems from the (very) old gen belts of the early 90s. A lot of people, myself included, run them for 3-4 years. You do NOT want them to snap though, and it isn't hard to change them.
Missed Practical Sportbike magazine....you guys needs to do more reviews on 80>00's iconic bikes...
Yes......my limited edition 916, which I've owned for the past 25 years........but can you guess which model?
This is one of the most beautiful creation of human
Very simmilar to mine and I am enjoying it more than the Foggy I used to have that I confess I was scared to damage, so never road it properly.
Beautiful bike. I have a 916 Biposto and it's a piece of art I think. Out of curiosity the front brake reservoir doesn't seem to have enough fluid in it ??
I thought that too, hopefully it’s just the angle of the camera 🙄
Absolute icon.
Wowww Amazing🎉
“- If you dropped it off a cliff” 😂
Lovely bike, don’t sell it!
"The Bikes We Buy" should be retitled "The Bikes We Should Never Sell" 😢
Loved this! Great insight and what a stunner to look at! (No, not Neevesy!)
Great bike mental sound,(thats why i bought one) but omg so uncomfortable so had it for 6 months and had to get rid of it as i am used to gixa 1000s so a bit slow for me and my arse said no more 😂 great video fellas and you need to do a video on a K1 1000 please.
What a great video! As an old school Ducati lover it’s great to hear the love for the bike in Chris’ voice
Did I hear 119HP?
If so, that’s not much in today’s standards, however it would be usable power and a joy to ride.
Front brake fluids a bit low, if not ur pads are waffer thin 😂.I love my 996 sps gonna go make brum brum noises in the garage 😊
That bike will breath better if you ditch that 45mm slipon and get a Termi 50mm full system.even a Termi 45/50 half system would be better.
How does the mid section feel when you slam on brakes with that narrow tank....... iv been through it forn2 years before I went fireblade
Id love to know if 20 year olds look at that and think it looks ok but old fashioned like i would have looked at bikes from the 80s 20 years ago.
I cant see how they can. It still looks absolutely mint, I wouldnt say modern but still amazing
Im taking my 954 to bsd to get mapped, heard good things about them
Great looking bike, but pointless on British roads with the state they are in now. Maybe compensation for things lacking in other areas 😄
Gorgeous bike. Love the paint scheme.
Hate it when they display the bike on the rear stand. Its like false advertisement... in the real world both tires on touching asphalt.
Lol he's only good St his job, editor and writing blogs w.e but irl he can't good as he would write 😅
Nice video! I have a 998(2002), no S or R. Every time I take it out for a spin it puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.Fitted with the termignonies 54mm. I also have an 1299R FE and V4R 2023 . But none of them brings that smile to my face like my old 998. Gorgeous bike and, boy what a sound!! No ABS , no traction control, just man and machine. I will never sell it.
Nice bike! He wants to keep an eye on that front brake fluid level though! 🧐
Great looking bike till this day, ages just like fine wine.
Front brake master cylinder looks a bit empty
Ducati 996 ... Danish prince ... 1999.../... Frederik... Ser frem til at du skal styre danmark!!!
🧨👍😉