Basically late 90s (916/996/998) and early 2000s (999) WSBK as I often wondered to myself what kind of RWHP these bikes actually put out. I seem to recall that a WSBK RC45 was putting out about 160bhp at the rear. Probably the factory 916/996/998 would be around the same.
The final 999 Factory bikes squeezed out 210 HP, no rear wheel figure available! These were the times were a engine block was replaced after 500km
as above the 999RS was 188 ish, but they literally ran the valves so close to the pistons that there were apparently clean spots where the carbon couldn't build up. Complete new blocks I think every 500km. I would estimate the 996 would have been about 165hp wheel, with the 998 being a bit more as it was effectively the 999 engine in terms of bore and stroke. I think Colin edwards SP2 was 170HP, but the ZX7 and GSXR never made it passed about 160HP. It doesn't tell the whole story though, because honestly the 4cylinders made all there power in about a 1500rpm range, where as the twin riders probably had 3k rev range to play with.
The real real story was that our beloved brand used basically prototype bikes back in the 999 days, with a great basis from the series of course, but so far from the idea of wsbk that it still makes me chuckle. However, the reason why I regard the 999 as the most racy bikes Ducati has ever produced. Modern ones are better and faster but nothing was so advanced as a 999
A lot to be said about that amount of power and the tech of the time. Rider aids etc. A genuine 180 ish bhp at the wheel is circa what a lot of bikes make out of a dealership these days (on a dyno that isn’t in to romancing ) Now imagine those bikes with the tech of the 90’s
My track bike is nicely built 999 with 146 on the rear wheel and the truth is that it scares the shit out if me Other than on long straits the power is more than my really perfectly set up bike and my humble myself, as the balancing factor, can handle. We even stopped progress on the dyno at 152 crank as I don’t want and don’t need more power at all. Riders of the past have my utmost respect!
I don’t suppose you want to be rebuilding the motor every 1000 miles either so probably a sensible decision
I would agree with this, the 999rs was basically prototype engineering, I mean I don't remember the road bike having removable chassis braces (near the rear cylinder head), and although it's common place now I don't think it was then. It's why it turned into a Ducati championship in 2004 and was probably the worst championship year of them all. I bet a 999 with 145HP at the wheel is scarier than any modern litre bike.
Wsbk now is pretty much a prototype class as well. There’s virtually no standard items on the superbike. Even the frames aren’t stock, the things are ridiculously trick
My rebuild intervals had let us set that limit, indeed. The non RS hadn’t the removable chassis braces which I hadn’t added as well as it sufficiently stiff for my liking already. I spend money on racing, I don’t earn there hence my reduced abilities There had always been a lot of homolgated special parts, thing is that Ducati has extensively used up all already closed eyes of all officials in that time. This and a great basis were the only means to stay competitive in the years of the identical engine capacity of one litre.
Have you seen the chzech guy out there on a Gen 3 (old shape) BMW S1000R with standard road suspension, trying to qualify... he's 'some way off'.........
