Best bet with 996 is buy one that has been looked after and maintained well. I don't bother with warranty service ie 12 month service other than oil and filter change depending on mileage.Just every 2 yrs or 6000 miles.I also ask the dealers to check alternator nut torque on service and check rockers ie cams removed.Every 2 yrs service is a belt change and fork service every 12k. Don't think you will find many bog standard 996 bikes about so any good extras are nice.Decals and open clutch cover are all good but id be looking for less anodised bling type extras and more ohlins rear shock,STM clutch,renthal etc sprocket kit type of extras. Ps some bikes came with decal kits out of the factory ie 916SPS Foggy rep,996SPS F ,996SPS Pista. 998 bikes are another good choice but different character to testastretta engines than older more raw less refined desmoquattro.
Its about at this point you leave a postage note lying around with a made up females name and mobile number on it, this should take the wifes mind off the thread and what you are going to be spending!!!
I'd go with matt#corse comments, I do yearly oil change, filter every other oil change, filter screen check every oil change. I then get the belts done every other year by Baines Racing over at Silverstone who I highly recommend. I'm based in High Wycombe so if you want a second pair of eyes give us a shout
That's very kind of you mcr998. I will obviously cover your petrol and get you a bacon roll. Is there any way to PM you some of the bikes I have seen up for sale? Does not seem quite right to critique other peoples bikes for sale in an open forum.
Don't worry. last night when my wife was at a team bonding 10 pin bowls night I painted the lounge. when she walked in at 10pm I was head to toe in magnolia. The brownie points are currently in full flow.
Another couple of things on 996. Start it up.Does starter make any clank kinda sounds.Sprag clutch worn ? and I had to replace flywheel and starter gear also due to this NOT CHEAP. Check behind the rear sprocket.Any swarf or wear to hub adjuster ring for chain tension.Cush drive failure can damage hub which again is not cheap. As for rockers there should be a entire thread on here somewhere.Hense id ask if they have been checked lately but you can always get any worn ones sorted via someone like newman cams which is cheaper than buying new from ducati. Id prefer a 996 that has been used on a regular basis and not stood for yrs off the road if I was looking to purchase one and run on good oil like motul 300v.
Is there any preference over a 918, 996 or 998 for future values? Red or Yellow or InfoStrada or Hodgson Replica? Obviously everyone wants a SPS!
Brownie points only last 1 day, no matter how many you accrue. Or they last as long as it takes for her to find something to moan about. Plus you may think its 1 point when it is in fact 0.1 point as far as she is concerned. Brownie points evaporate quickly. Well, they do in my house.
Full story is I was thinking of bike #2 since early summer and the discussion was not going well regardless of wine, chocolates, etc. So I brought out the big guns and in early September got the family 2 kittens! This worked so well that I have now upgraded from my original bike choice, Speed Triple, to a 996. The painting is just keeping it topped up. All I need to do now is buy one quick before the money pot gets blown by Christmas or I screw up all my good work.
go for yellow 996 one, mate , i love mine... too many red ones about and good yellow is always be desirable.
My favourite colour is yellow, but a Ducati really has to be red. Especially on a bike that vintage. It's so deep and luscious, somehow seems better than the current bikes. But that could just be jealously clouding my vision.
