As a Ducati 996 owner, I 100% agree. There is an old saying people used to say about the 996: "If you don't ride it, it will ride you." Lastly, it is not very forgiving to newbie mistakes, but a fantastic bike to ride. I used to love crawling through the Portland Pearl District with my stainless Termignoni pipes singing and my clutch rattling like nails in a can. It turned heads every time. That was years ago. Live in another state now. lol
Yes , you are right , they are not forgiving , longest first gear in history , and just be careful , I got mine but a frigging building site accident crushed my left foot , it is hard / painful to ride too long and it has always been narky on the wrists but now I find it quite a lot harsher . Cheers Newbie mistakes ha but you are right , Ric the DucatiRati a 996 owner
At some point, refinement starts detracting from the essence of motorcycling, which is not about smoothing out every last rough edge until you've massaged all the soul out of the machine.
A few tips to living with a 748/916/996/998 Ducati: Fix the ergos - More adjustable clip-ons and adjustable foot pegs. Heat mitigation - Add heat insulation blanket under the seat/tail and ceramic coat the exhaust downpipes (not the whole system). This helps when waiting at stop lights as you are trying to get out of town. Get the suspension sprung for you weight. Springs are a cheep investment to allow the suspension to work correctly. Last is that a aftermarket slipper clutch is very nice to have.
Seat heat is part of the experience for these old track bikes with lights on them! I am kidding, but to be a daily rider, I agree with all of your suggestions to make it more comfortable/safe, especially with ergonomics improvements. The only thing more I would add would be to upgrade the headlamp lighting system as the OEM system sucks at night.
The 9XX series superbikes take you back to what motorcycling is meant to be about. Raw fun, no rider assists, just a challenging motorcycle that makes you hone your skills to get the best out of your experience. There is no motorcycle more fun under the speed limit.
I think the old ducs have a soul and are alive, should of never sold my 966 in 2003, but i love all Ducati bikes they are a work of art great vid buddy.
@@oneonlyxram Honestly, I'd have a 996R before a V4SP, and certainly 1299SL - at least for the riding I do. 1199SL is possibly next on my hunting list though.... :-)
@@flashsgarage I loved the 1199 SL had the privilege to ride one, that thing is an absolute monster. Yea the V4SP would end up being a track bike mostly if it's as good as they say. Right now my aprilia is my "track bike".
I would want one in conjunction with a newer one, but yea I loved riding this bike and it's amazing to feel something be that good that's 22 years old!
@@oneonlyxram It’s like having that really nice daily driver but parked in the garage is that sweet and bad ass classic car for just wreaking absolute havoc...every now and then. Just in two wheel form. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Great video. I also love the mechanical rawness of my 1996 Ducati 900 SP. I know 100% what you mean. The 900 comes with white background Viglia analogue cluster that looks like a Swiss watch, even prettier than the 916/996 👍
I really enjoy how you make your videos man. You do such amazing job with how you edit & talk about these machines. Ducati has came a long way. I have not been able to test ride any ducatis yet, but i hope i do some day. Amazing video man. Keep it up.
Hey I appreciate that man, my videos and skills have certainly evolved. It has taken a good bit of work and learning, but I am happy with where they're headed! Absolutely try to get your hands on an older one, then test out an 1199, 1299, and a V4 you'll really see the progression!
@@oneonlyxram you really doing well, the more you make videos the better editing gets & the more ideas you get aswell. & i will definetly have to do that. I love italian bikes, something about italian bikes that just capture my attention. The engineering, style & performance is so different. The V2 is something i wanna test ride the most, just looks lie a amazing bike.
@@ExoticRiderr got some great stuff coming up man! Yea Italian bikes have something extra about them that you either love or hate. The V2 is a good bike, its best suited for the track though, not the most pleasant on the street. But absolutely worth trying.
@@oneonlyxram looking forward to your content. The variety of what you do is great. & yea i been hearing the V2 is more track focused, but what sport/super sport bike is not track focused hahaha. I greatly appreciate you for responding back too. Keep up with the videos, they are always looking & getting better each time.
I just bought a Monster 996 S4R it’s not exactly the sport bike but It got the same fundamentals. I’ve never been in something that’s broken so many necks in my life hahaha
No match: V4 is faster in all condition. But who cares? 996 looks far better and it’s still fast to be funny. Oh, and it’s an old style Duc, that’s enough for me.
Yes I have such a bike , it's just a gem , these guages Analogue special ,I can't imagine life without Ducatis And Carlton Football Club go Duc , GO BLUES RARARA
I'm italian, and i have a 998 2003. I will never separate from her. Never. she's the history of tan's bike. Thanks to Castiglioni brothers and massimo Tamburini that in the 1992 draw and build this fantastic Bike. if you are curious to hear real sound ( i use professional Zoom H6 records to pick up the sound) please check out this mine video. th-cam.com/video/nZbta6ISGuA/w-d-xo.html
![How Ducati made the Best [looking] Motorcycle Ever](/img/n.gif)
As a Ducati 996 owner, I 100% agree. There is an old saying people used to say about the 996: "If you don't ride it, it will ride you." Lastly, it is not very forgiving to newbie mistakes, but a fantastic bike to ride. I used to love crawling through the Portland Pearl District with my stainless Termignoni pipes singing and my clutch rattling like nails in a can. It turned heads every time. That was years ago. Live in another state now. lol
Yes , you are right , they are not forgiving , longest first gear in history , and just be careful , I got mine but a frigging building site accident crushed my left foot , it is hard / painful to ride too long and it has always been narky on the wrists but now I find it quite a lot harsher . Cheers Newbie mistakes ha but you are right , Ric the DucatiRati a 996 owner
At some point, refinement starts detracting from the essence of motorcycling, which is not about smoothing out every last rough edge until you've massaged all the soul out of the machine.
Totally agree, that's been my issues with s1000rr.
A few tips to living with a 748/916/996/998 Ducati: Fix the ergos - More adjustable clip-ons and adjustable foot pegs. Heat mitigation - Add heat insulation blanket under the seat/tail and ceramic coat the exhaust downpipes (not the whole system). This helps when waiting at stop lights as you are trying to get out of town. Get the suspension sprung for you weight. Springs are a cheep investment to allow the suspension to work correctly. Last is that a aftermarket slipper clutch is very nice to have.
Seat heat is part of the experience for these old track bikes with lights on them! I am kidding, but to be a daily rider, I agree with all of your suggestions to make it more comfortable/safe, especially with ergonomics improvements. The only thing more I would add would be to upgrade the headlamp lighting system as the OEM system sucks at night.
The 9XX series superbikes take you back to what motorcycling is meant to be about. Raw fun, no rider assists, just a challenging motorcycle that makes you hone your skills to get the best out of your experience. There is no motorcycle more fun under the speed limit.
I think the old ducs have a soul and are alive, should of never sold my 966 in 2003, but i love all Ducati bikes they are a work of art great vid buddy.
I do agree, it's why I still have a few and will continue to own them! Thanks for watching!
Great review! Still amazing after all these years. Love my 2000 996!
Thank you! The 996 was a blast to ride!
Agree, love my 1999 996 - I am glad I kept it all period correct.
Same here! I love my 2000 996!
The Ducati from the 90s looks how a modern bike. Unbelievable ❤
Nice vid. I agree, I would take the 996 over anything that came after - as amazing as they all are
I wouldn't mind having a 996 myself, but I would get something new, like the V4 SP, or go back to a 1299 SL! Thanks for watching!
@@oneonlyxram Honestly, I'd have a 996R before a V4SP, and certainly 1299SL - at least for the riding I do. 1199SL is possibly next on my hunting list though.... :-)
@@flashsgarage I loved the 1199 SL had the privilege to ride one, that thing is an absolute monster. Yea the V4SP would end up being a track bike mostly if it's as good as they say. Right now my aprilia is my "track bike".
I have test ridden the 999 and 1098, etc. and I always, ALWAYS, go back to my 996. They don't make them like the 996 anymore.
Loving this drone footage!
No callas en todo el camino...
Que locura 😂.. pero buen video!!
996 al poder
Que? Gracias
I miss the front end feel of that generation of bike.
I loved it, you knew exactly what that bike was doing. I miss that feeling for sure!
Yet another great review!! Well done!! 😁
Thanks dude! Great work on your end@
And people wonder why with all the cool toys I have at my disposal I keep my “old” bike. 🤣 Now you know. Another well done video. 👍🏻
I would want one in conjunction with a newer one, but yea I loved riding this bike and it's amazing to feel something be that good that's 22 years old!
@@oneonlyxram It’s like having that really nice daily driver but parked in the garage is that sweet and bad ass classic car for just wreaking absolute havoc...every now and then. Just in two wheel form. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
@@kingkennyb570 yup, I want a classic car (and an old bike) to just have fun on a Saturday with!
Great video. I also love the mechanical rawness of my 1996 Ducati 900 SP. I know 100% what you mean. The 900 comes with white background Viglia analogue cluster that looks like a Swiss watch, even prettier than the 916/996 👍
Great review. I have a 2002 998 and I love newer bikes...but not enough to sell mine.
Oh awesome! Yea I am finding that I want a 1299 again I miss how that bike felt and made me feel. Thanks for watching!
916/748/996/998 all the Ferrari of Motorcycles
I really enjoy how you make your videos man.
You do such amazing job with how you edit & talk about these machines.
Ducati has came a long way.
I have not been able to test ride any ducatis yet, but i hope i do some day.
Amazing video man. Keep it up.
Hey I appreciate that man, my videos and skills have certainly evolved. It has taken a good bit of work and learning, but I am happy with where they're headed!
Absolutely try to get your hands on an older one, then test out an 1199, 1299, and a V4 you'll really see the progression!
@@oneonlyxram you really doing well, the more you make videos the better editing gets & the more ideas you get aswell.
& i will definetly have to do that.
I love italian bikes, something about italian bikes that just capture my attention.
The engineering, style & performance is so different.
The V2 is something i wanna test ride the most, just looks lie a amazing bike.
@@ExoticRiderr got some great stuff coming up man! Yea Italian bikes have something extra about them that you either love or hate.
The V2 is a good bike, its best suited for the track though, not the most pleasant on the street. But absolutely worth trying.
@@oneonlyxram looking forward to your content. The variety of what you do is great.
& yea i been hearing the V2 is more track focused, but what sport/super sport bike is not track focused hahaha.
I greatly appreciate you for responding back too.
Keep up with the videos, they are always looking & getting better each time.
Wow stunning b roll and usage of the drone 👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽
Hey thanks man! Really trying to get my videos to have that something different in them.
I just bought a Monster 996 S4R it’s not exactly the sport bike but It got the same fundamentals. I’ve never been in something that’s broken so many necks in my life hahaha
Haha awesome!!
No match: V4 is faster in all condition. But who cares? 996 looks far better and it’s still fast to be funny. Oh, and it’s an old style Duc, that’s enough for me.
Very true, I loved riding this 996!
Love my 2000 996 SPS !
Enjoy that thing!
FIND A CORNER
Yea, there weren't many in that area, so I made due with what I had.
Yes I have such a bike , it's just a gem , these guages Analogue special ,I can't imagine life without Ducatis And Carlton Football Club go Duc , GO BLUES RARARA
U should ride my Monster s4r 996 , even more vibration and dryclutch
I would love to, are you in AZ?
There is the problem! In Belgium my friend, just a bit away 😁
@@steven8-stones719 oh just a short journey 😂🤣
Ilove ducati 996
I really enjoyed riding it!
Fu...k I love the 996.
It's a fun bike!
daje
As a Ducati 748 owner (since 2001) i never ever wanted a new electronic shit bike.
Well the electronics aren't sh!t, but you enjoy that 748, great bike!
Rims prob cracking by now
Nah, they're good.
Twin > V4
I love the character and punch the twins have.
Awful colour tho
I'm italian, and i have a 998 2003. I will never separate from her. Never. she's the history of tan's bike. Thanks to Castiglioni brothers and massimo Tamburini that in the 1992 draw and build this fantastic Bike.
if you are curious to hear real sound ( i use professional Zoom H6 records to pick up the sound) please check out this mine video.
th-cam.com/video/nZbta6ISGuA/w-d-xo.html