Currently have a 748 which i love but want a bigger bike more power been offered a very clean 916 fsh with only 10k on the clock for £3500 its only done track days by a 70 yr old man who i no well .or would i better off spending a bit more getting a later 996 points of veiw please nick
916 - cute, legendary motorcycle - unfortunately a Royal PITA to shim due to the challenged cylinder head design? The later model 996R & 998 with the Testastretta engine will set you back a lot less when it comes to service time.
On the subject of "DIY" does anyone have a 998 manual or tech details for valve clearances? Apologies for hijacking the thread.
It depends what you like about the 748. A 996 is a long stroke engine with a very pleasing shove when you open the throttle but its unlike the delivery of a 748. As corrected earlier the 916 and 996 are the same design engine so no difference in running costs and the 996R is a very serious, that means expensive, beast indeed. If you like the revvy nature of the 748 but just want more of that i'd go for a 998 over a 916/996 and, if you can afford it a 998S. Handling of the 749/999 generation is different to the 748 so i would recommend a test ride of one of those in case you dont like it.
Not ridden a 996 but I do have experience of 748,916 and 998.The 916 is a much less frantic engine than the 748 but still a very enjoyable ride. As Desmoboy says, the 998s is the one to go for if you're able to, I personally think it's the nicest engine Ducati have built, lots of very smooth strong torque and all the performance you will ever really need with the classic styling that everyone seems to love.
996R was the first testastretta engine, then all 998's used it. 996R is one of the all time greats but values are climbing now. 998 is a peach of a motor in a very pretty dress The stretta motor is more reliable especially as the rockers stay reliable. Service schedules are pretty much the same and on balance while labour may be a little less, parts are more especially the belts. Chassis is the same so no savings there....but availability is good. Depending on budget, and if you wanted to stay with the 748/916 design, the 916 wouldn't feel like that much of a step up. Go for a 996. The S is a really nice choice so are the SPS's. If you can stretch to a stretta engined bike, then a 998 would be a top choice. If you wanted a R, then the budget will need to grow and the search for a good one will take time. The 749/999 are really nice road chassis's, but as mentioned above, quite different in feel to your 748.
If you are considering both then make sure you try them. Whether the testastretta is better or not is to some extent a question of personal taste - plenty of people, like me, prefer the more brutal character of the 996 over the more refined and creamy 998.
If you like your 748,would an 853 kit be an option?Winters just around the corner and you will need something to do when Eastenders is on.
On Ducatisti we did a poll on rocker wear and from around 175 responses discovered that the 996 was the model which suffered from the highest rate of terminal rocker wear. This was most likely due to the production of the 996 coinciding with a period when one of Ducati's component suppliers were supplying poor quality components. The fabled rocker wear was statistically highest in the 996 (not the testastretta r model) and more than double the rate reported for the 916. 748s built concurrently with the 996 also suffered quite badly for the same reason which most affected bikes built (not first registered) around 1999 and 2000. Try and find a 996 where the rockers have been changed or where the servicing records are complete and show no replacements. Otherwise go with the bike you know and get it set up properly, you will get not much less bhp than a 996. Another option is to go for a 916 SPS.
if your a torque junkie +1 for the 996s it is an amazing bike, I loved mine & I dont remember big bills ! and I too prefer the rawness of the desmoquattro, to me the desmoquattro along with all the all the old 2v motors are what ducati is about (for me), its a snarling beast that makes you feel alive and barks beneath you, My 996s with termis sounded monstrous compared to my mates 998s (even with his 54mm termi system) everything else since desmoquattro has become more sterile & refined.. which is fine if you like that sort of thing, whatever floats your boat..... oh & a 916 SPS is a 996 so no real difference........ personally I think you should try an SP model 851/888 but then I say that to everybody.. :biggrin:
Buy a crashed 1098 or similar, this will ensure you have all the relevant pipes and wires etc- swap motors, leaving the 748 decals on the fairings... Sell the 748 motor etc? Good winter project!
if you can, get a later model 996s with the TiN gold fork legs as the rocker issue was sorted by then (Texas pacific group were shaking things up a bit!) ...... I remember John Hackett telling me the tale of visiting the factory back along and seeing an old boy in a vest and cap sat in the corner dipping rockers (in whatever they are dipped in!) with a smouldering fag hanging out of his mouth... he visited a year or so later... same fellow, same corner, doing the same thing, love it!! Also the S model has a Biposto subframe so you can swap single seat for dual seat at will, they were sold as monos & bip but if you can get a Mono it is cheaper to get hold of a Biposto seat unit
