I too really wanted a 996. When I did get one, it was a money pit, oil drinking, unreliable. Before the alternator fell off the crank and trashed the bottom end I loved riding it. £8.5k, I'd get an. Honda SP2 instead, it would be much more reliable and better to ride too.
Had one of the last SP2 - all black on a 57 plate with blue flame cans. Sounded like a spitfire. Utterly fantastic. Sold after crash to buy a car as thought my riding days were over. Gutted doesn't get close!!!!
i can only speak from personal experience but ive owned two 916's. The first a 97 bip, totally reliable, and my current one of 7 years ownership, a 95 SP..only mechanical problem i had with it was a faulty injector..i didnt suffer flakey rockers with either bike (first one had 25k when i sold it), my current 916 (the keeper) is up to 18k *gulp*.... Im sure a lot of it is how theyre ridden, cared for and a bit of pot luck.
Don't want to hijack this thread but is username Brian91cfr the old ducatisti member (nice 916sps foggy rep ).If this is the case then please see my Dymag recall thread as your bike had this rear wheel fitted if I remember correctly. To the OP 996S is a very nice bike if looked after properly.My 916sps (996 c.c) bike has been very reliable in the 7 yrs ive owned it.Yep ive had the bullet type connectors fitted to rec wiring instead of crap ducati oe block connectors.Also replaced one YES ONE rocker and ive put 20,000 mls on it no hassle.Then again it has been overserviced by Ducati Cov JHP.Ie alternator nut check , full camshafts out and rocker inspection which is not on the service list.I get this extra work done every 6000 mls.If owners have a FDSH from good dealers with above extra checks you should be in for many trouble free happy miles. They seem to like Motul 300V oil also. I might even sell mine standard for 996S money ONLY BECAUSE IVE ANOTHER DUCATI WHICH ENDS WITH 'R' OFFERED TO ME AT THE RIGHT PRICE.Otherwise mines a keeper. Also don't be fooled by the hype that 996S is the same engine as 916SPS & 996SPS.Its bollox.
Later 998 Testastretta bikes have no known rocker issues as far as I know. But defo test ride as a smoother more refined testastretta 998 is a different ride to the older rawer desmo quattro motor.SP,SPS,R models are the ones to go for imho but cost more especialy the R's.
Not sure Funky as spotted a 998R today.Needs a few bits to get it back to standard spec though which as not that easy to find now a days. Still not sure I could part with my 916sps but the price for 998R is very good one and very tempting.
Sorry all 998 testastretta bikes from 996R /998/998S/998R I was under the impression 99 & 2000 model 996 bikes suffered more of this rocker chromate failure and maybe 01 alsnly on openers though.Think ducati out sourced the chrome plating during these times. Also Newman cams can fix bad rockers for a lot cheaper than ducati oe new ones from what ive read on the net
Replacement rockers are not expensive,and can be fitted easily,if buying form a business ,and hopefully a Ducati specialist,then I would insist on belt change,oil and filter change,check fuel filter,check valve clearances,when valve clearances are being checked that's when the rockers can be looked at too.
I had a y plate 996s. Was a stunning bike, reliable, wish I still had it instead if the monster s4r which is crap in comparison was used all the time, which I was told by jhp was the reason it was so good
998R ive seen is lower price than that ducati up north one but then needs some standard parts re fitting etc.Still im not sure as I really love the raw power of desmo Quattro 996 SPS engines with so much grunt and the way that power is delivered.Big part of the appeal for me and the sound and feel you get through the clip ons. Yeah ive been told the same ie the more they are used the better.Id steer clear of ultra low miles examples and opt for good used ones preferably from someone that had it a while ie looked after it or good reputable dealer that knows owner. Mines at 32,000 mls now and runs better than when I purchased it 7 yrs ago at 13,000 mls. The riding position might take a bit of getting used to if you are using a 749 though.
