Its bin a while since I posted here and my Duc stable is down to just my 900 Superlight though its kept company by my 86 GSXR750 and my daily(?) ride a '20 S1000XR. However I have a yearning for a Duc Superbike to rekindle my rose tinted youth . I'd started pondering a Panigale (959?) then lusted after a 1299 V4S but know I wont use the big motor bikes to their proper capabilities given my likely use being roads which then looped me back to the Duc I've most regretted selling and that was my old '96 916 Biposto . So this started me looking at 748s of all version with a very strong preference to the original graphics years ( up to 97) remembering they were allegedly a sweet spot engine & I didn't recall my bog stock 888 feeling short of go while I had it, but then I wondered if I would regret not getting the 916cc. Given my last modern duc was a 999 biposto & i felt a bit ambivalent to the 999 from memory would I miss out going for the old Desmoquattro over the V2 959 Panigales? I could have been tempted into a 959 Corse if Ducati hadn't chosen Matt paint over gloss as I have a hatred of matt paint jobs on a bike (or helmet) and it also needs more Red in the colour scheme (IMO) . I could just be suffering from lock'd down itus as I would need to find somewhere to park said new bike, in my home office would be cool given the missus pondered having a duc (916 ilk) parked in the hoose following watching an old Grand designs episode (think she was well into a bottle of vino and would deny all knowledge of uttering that) & not sure how weaving a Duc Superbike round my gaffs tight door ways would fare when I wanted to go for a ride along with the petrol and hot oil vapours wafting around. Rambling over. TLDR What's the going rate for a usable cooking 916 or 748 (biposto) ?
I went for 851 and consolidated my 900SL and 748. No regrets. 748 is a heavy old Hector for its output although the handling is sublime and the engine is lovely and revvy. The 900SL was lovely lovely lovely, but the 851 brings the desmoquattro to the party, along with some “race bike” special feels yet retains the kookiness (and adds back the white frame and wheels of my ‘91 900SS). It’s the best of all worlds and rides beautifully (they’re a bargain at the moment too... get in now before the prices get silly). Ramblings on other Ducati... In our house is the 350 Desmo... (the 175 Gilera was shunted out to the workshop as indeed oil / fuel vapours do upset the domestic equilibrium and Sunday lunches). In the shed is the 899, which is achingly beautiful and quite fast enough thank you (Superquadro is no dud BTW), lodged between the Scrambler Classic (“let’s go upset sports bikes or have a lovely chilled day out”) and the Mutley (“let’s go on holiday... and have fun on the backroads on the way down to meet the wife at a French/Spanish/Italian airport). Haven’t quite worked out where the 860GT and MHR are going to live yet when they return from over-wintering at Italia, and that’s before we find a home for the inbound 250 Desmo project... Point being... Bugger investment profiles or Top Trumps stats. Get the bikes that speak to you and make you happy.
I think a lot of people over recent years have purchased bikes for other people. a lot of people get sucked in to the whole latest and greatest thing forgetting that it’s all subjective, I’m a strong advocate of buying whatever the hell you like and enjoy. some of the best two wheeled fun I’ve had has been on unusual bikes. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I did the first time I rode a classic bike. That was a real back to school moment for me. Fucking gears on the wrong side. I’m sure there was a few gears in the box, but I’d be buggered if I could find the one I thought I wanted. Brakes where like someone had fitted some of those pink wafer biscuits in the drums. Felt like it was falling over at every turn. I broke down on it three times In under 2 miles haha. but when it ran, it was bloody lovely
I also think that the 996 is the best choise for the money. People pay more for a 916 because .... well it is a 916 and first generations always get sought after. And for the 998 you get that 916 look but with the best engine,so that is why people pay more again. The 996 sits between those 2 and best option for the money if you looking for a bike to ride and reallu use. Henk!!!
As I see it, the 94 916 is what people want, something to do with first generation and Varese. A 95 916 doesn’t have that exotic of first gen and Varese, but build in the good old Bologna. So in my opinion a 95-99 916 except for the special models are not worth more, but I also see the prices going up, but don’t no if they are sold. Yes the 998 has the better engine, specially the S version. I agree that the 996 is momentarily the way to go, seeing the asking prices.
Ok hears a slight drift on the way the discussion has gone . ignoring the future values debate, rose tinted views etc how does a cooking 9*6 in good nick compare to the junior pangales 899/959 in terms of riding enjoyment ? a question for those that have done both rather than a theoretical ponder. I've ridden the 916 for 5+years (it was a long while ago), an 888 for similar term and a 999 for a few years and thats when my Duc superbike riding history ends (though the 888 came after the 999 for me) , I'm not counting my current 900SL as a yardstick as they feel like armchairs to the superbikes (relatively speaking) . i would suspect a small engined Pani is a sharper steering bike over the old 9*6 chassis and feel significantly faster on the revs though less torquey? Comfort? is the pani rider position as focused as the 9*6 or more so?
I'd say the (899) Panigale has a riding position more akin to the 999 than the 916. Feet are lower, bit less weight over the wrists and a more forgiving hip angle as a consequence. I'd say that the 899 is more usable, more of the time, for more things... but probably that last intangible percent of X Factor / specialness is where the 9*6 wins (the 899 is faster and more capable, but the 9*6 isn't going to be parked among half a dozen identical bikes in a lineup at your local bike haunt, if that's your thing, and bossing a 9*6 may make you feel more like a GP hero).
Choosing a motorcycle, it's a bit like going to a nightclub whatever takes your fancy on the day and it just maybe a keeper.
Even after jumping off my 1299s and the 1198 before that and going onto the 916, the 916 is still a very capable bike. They got it so right. Plus it looks like sex and frankly I need all the help I can get.
Trouble is, after riding one for an hour or so you won't be able to stand up let alone be up for a bit of clunge worrying... (well that's my excuse to SWMBO and I'm sticking to it!)
Any 916,996,998 makes you feel special everytime you ride it. Buy the best example that your budget petmits.
