If the sidestand has been modified from the original setup, just check twice before you set off. In just over 40,000 miles on the SPS with the stand modified to stay down and no cut-out switch, I have forgotten once and got away with it. In the 45,000 miles I did on my 97 Biposto with the flick-up stand it caught me out twice, once in my shed which cost me an indicator, and once outside the local bike shop which cost a mate his fingerprints as he impulsively put his hands under the seat unit to lift it up and grabbed the hot exhaust cans! Enjoy your dream bike, I spent quite a bit of the 97/98 winter in the shed just looking at mine and wishing for an early spring.
Thank you for the advice. My first bike was a Kawasaki 100cc in the late 80s without any fancy cut out switches so pretty much got in the habit of reflexly kicking the stand up and pulling the clutch in before starting no matter even if the bike is in neutral. But will need need to be mindful of the sidestand on the 916 as it's on a pretty light spring!!!
Welcome. Lovely machine! I’d love a 916,996 or 998 but my cronky body might disagree. I think they are probably the most beautiful looking bikes ever! Had to make do with Monsters and Multistradas.
That looks like a shot of a Haynes Manual, are you sure it’s the manual for a 97 916? Have you removed the fairing and checked if your bike has that relay fitted? iirc Ducati didn’t start fitting the side stand switch on that range until the 2000 model year which would have been 996/748. It’s not of any great import but may explain why there’s no wiring on the side stand itself.
You are right. It's the Haynes manual which covers the 748, 916 and 996. The 97 Biposto model wiring diagram certainly doesn't show the sidestand relay in it. Had removed the fairing to chk and pretty certain only the relay is there but will be having another look this weekend as I plan to do a bit more tlc in terms of cleaning, etc.
They are probably the easiest bikes in the world to work on, everything is so easy to get to, unlike the later models.
Great access on the 916 to just about everything. My 97 bp did not have side stand switch just a suicide side stand. Cracked the lower fairing as a result. Wish they made a 916 for arthritic Grandads it would be back on my wish list.
Get yourself a side stand from an 848/1098. Plug and play and slightly longer so the bike doesn’t lean over at such an acute angle. Andy
Have had a few rides now and OMG am I loving this bike. It's incredible and just fits around you like a glove. Despite its weight it feels so agile and compact to ride. Here are some pics including the obligatory bin pic!!!
