This looks very tidy, for anyone interested: DUCATI 998R 998 R | eBay - and much (much) more sensibly priced than most you see.
Right. Bound to put people off, but if the explanation stacks up/you can get it checked, and the bike's going to be a keeper, you can save a good chunk that way.
So, a really good one is almost the price when new and a good used Cat D is still almost 60% of new price. Good investment. Hope my 2004 - 749r does as well .... not that the bike was ever bought as an investment. Must admit 998r is a very nice bike, wish I had some spare cash.