Thanks - I had a 999S Mono ,which IMO always looked better in yellow hence my username, i have since bucked the trend with a red 1198S which i finally got rid of in a fit of frustration due to the random nature of warm/hot starting , i tried everything i could to try and sort it but i just couldn't rely on it to fire up at petrol stations etc...once waiting over 20 minutes until it decided to play ball. I always remember the 916 appearing in 1994, and it seemed hopelessly out of reach at the time, the one i've bought was in the right place at the right time and for the right money, and i'm really looking forward to owning it, the only slight niggle in my mind is the reports of how uncomfortable they are to ride, i guess it cant be any worse than my old Slabby Gixer though...i would be interested in others opinions as to just how cramped they are to ride, i'm a pretty fit 61 year old ,5'10'' tall and weigh 90 kilos.
I'm 6'1" and 75kg on a good day - also ride a 2006 Fireblade and 2020 S1000RR. Seat is much lower than both on the Ducati so paddling it around is easy. Distance to pegs is about the same as the others, not an issue even for long legs. Where the difference is really the height of the bars - it's definitely wristier than the others, I start to feel it after about 15 minutes . There's also a consequence on your neck on longer rides. But the flip side of that is unbelievable front end feel (when you've got your suspension set up right). Honestly think that feel might mean I'm quicker down a bumpy road than I am on either of the newer bikes (would be different on track).
I once did a comparison between the distances between: Seat and pegs Seat and handlebars Pegs and handlebars On my 916, 749 and 1098. All were pretty much identical but I didn’t measure the angles. For me (5’7, 10st), the 749 is the roomiest while the 916, although the peg/seat distance is the same, felt the most cramped but was still acceptably comfortable for a short arse like me.
I wouldn't want to spoil the aesthetics of the bike by fitting bar risers - just my personal view. If its like riding a medieval torture device then it will be a case of grinning and bearing it, cant wait to try it out!
Here's my bike with 2" risers. Can ride for hours with these. I disagree that the aesthetics are affected.
I have read with great interest all that has been said on this thread. The reason being I am restoring a friends 916 SPS that he has had as a collection piece and not ridden for some time since purchasing some years ago. I have stripped it down, removing the fairings, ram air boxes and have just started work on the rear shocker assembly. The cusk drives look like they need replacing which I will do. He has bought new fairings in the Troy Bayliss style to replace the oem ones and I am keen to understand what this is worth once restored. Any ideas? Hence I am keen to understand how much you paid for your version.
Mine is a Bip not an SPS, i have no idea what they go for but there isn't really any comparison - i'm sure others on here will be along soon to advise.
Don’t forget to get the swing arm pivot out as well and regrease that. Also, as to value, I think any future prospective purchaser will be looking for originality so make sure he hangs on to those OEM fairings. ps. Did Troy Bayliss ever ride the 916 SPS in its WSBK form ? I thought it was Foggy’s ride?
Been for my first ride on the new addition, and TBH its no more uncomfortable than my old 1198s....fuller review and thoughts to follow.
Just a few thoughts after riding my 916 bip for the first time... i only did about 10 miles and after being fazed by all the stories of how painful they are to ride, i was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and relatively comfortable it is, admittedly i didn't ride through town though, and while i wouldn't want to tour Scotland on it, for what i will use it for on the local Twisties it will be fine, the only ache i guess it will eventually show is on my neck muscles, wrists were fine and dandy. One thing i did notice is how quiet it is with the standard cans apart from the intake roar!, so the first things i'll be looking for is a pair of Termi 45mm slip on's, if anyone has any for sale or can recommend where to get a pair please let me know. The bike looks good from a few paces away but up close there is some bubbling to the rear wheel and also around the frame by the headstock ,nothing i'll be losing sleep over though. I also had the fairings off and overall it doesn't look too bad - although the state of the paint on the casings is flaking and peeling in places, i'm told they are all like that to various degrees. On the whole i'm happy with it and will be clocking the mileage up over the summer, if we get a decent one
