There's one (allegedly) for sale on eBay at the moment and I know a number are watching with interest to see what it fetches - no reserve apparently but in need of some TLC and some pricy replacements. Anyway, I just don't get why these bikes fetch more than a non-Varese bike from '94 or '95. It's not that there were so few of them made, 2,663 apparently, the best part of a year's production, yet whenever they come up for sale they fetch significantly more than any other 916 would fetch. Why? What's the attraction? EDIT 23/6/20 - I changed the thread title slightly to reflect my changing viewpoint as OP.
First of the line, original Z1’s are always worth far more than Z1a’s and Z1b’s. K0 CB750’s the same.
Mk1 etype, series one Elise, round headlamp fireblade, when they first came out we were gobsmacked. The must have. So that’s the one that everybody wants and that’s the one that commands the money. What really amazes me is the last run of a model or the final edition. It’s like buying a cortina when escorts were available.
I'm sure the Varese factory was a real stress-free environment during 1994. I mean, there's just been a fire across town and you've had to drop everything and been told to try and assemble this new model 916 as quick as you can. You're already behind on orders, the parts you need to finish the job may or may not arrive today, and cashflow is obviously tight... The relief when production switched back to Borgo Panigale would've been immense.
I do agree though West Cork, on the surface a later 916 or a 748 is the same looking thing as a Varesse 916. They aren’t any slower, don’t ride any different so is it can only be nostalgia, vanity and the fairytale story that makes Varese special? I do like that Varesse bikes have their quirkyness for all the oddball parts that were fitted and that later got changed due to research and development and larger outsourcing. The alloy ends on oil lines, single bolt clip ons, 45mm caliper spacings, screen, P8 etc. Also going on at Varese in 94, I’d never realised the striking resemblance ( bodywork wise) to Cagivas 500gp racer when Mamola and Kockinski were riding the C594 in the good old 2 stroke days. A few familiar looking lines?
It appears to me there’s a very fickle ‘Investor’ premium attached to these bikes. It’s not as though there are limited numbers and it’s not as though many (any?) will have survived to this day without a lot of those little idiosyncrasies (due to parts availability and production site) still intact, they’ll have been changed over the years. Which makes me think any bike will not be 100% original and there will be more bikes in the world than buyers prepared to pay such a premium* which, in turn, makes me think any premium in value could easily disappear *whether there are more bikes for sale at any given time than buyers is a different matter. One was sold at Bonhams this year and only fetched $6900, then again another was for sale in Sheffield (yes, we all know the Bike Specialists) at £16,500 and ones for sale in Australia at £17490
The Varese bikes confirms they are early 916 Strada’s ( single seat ) which are the most desirable but to command the high price they must have the original parts for example non adjustable levers, rivets on the fairings and screen, elephant logo on screen, Ducati Racing around the hub, blue hose connectors, black mirrors ..etc The one advertised maybe an early example but far from original.
Is that yours? Fully original I can understand, a bit, But how many of them are. Also are you saying all Varese bikes were monopostos
Originality i'd say but for the price of a Varese 916 you can buy a full bells and whistles 998 and have change. I do get the quest for finding that genuine Varese 916( Like the first pressing of LP's) but on a personal opinion( am i allowed one of these?) i would go for a 998!!
It was, sold it last year ...... it was out the box original with 6000 miles. I’m pretty sure no 916’s were produced in Bologna in 1994 they were all Strada’s coming out of Varese.
You’ll have direct experience then of the demand for them and the actual price when a willing & able buyer(s) meet a willing & able seller. Beautiful looking bike btw
That’s very interesting. I was close to buying a ‘95 biposto with a very low frame number ( early 200s), which had me very confused, as I didn’t realise they started building them so early. Looking at the production numbers above it must have actually been built in early 1994. I decided against it in the end because it was wearing Chinese fairings.
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From the German advert above An iconic Ducati 916 Strada Monoposto There are only a few motorcycles that really deserve the milestone title. The Ducati 916 definitely belongs to this group - it defines the way sports motorcycles look and sets new standards in handling and performance that still apply today. Massimo Tamburini created a goddess on two wheels with an ingenious design that is still unmatched in the motorcycle world. No wonder that the Ducati 916 is still considered the dream Ducati - real milestones are rare. We are proud to be able to present to you such a Ducati 916 from 1994 in its original condition. Our motorcycle impresses with perfect key data: complete documents with certificate, guarantee and maintenance booklet, new service including toothed belt, original invoice for the last service at Ducati in June 2020 over 1849.70. This Ducati 916 Monoposto, considered the most beautiful motorcycle ever built, is indeed very rare and has a low mileage. It was designed by Massimo Tamburini and Sergio Robbiano and his team at the Cagiva research center and was built in 1994 at a very early stage in Cagiva's MV Agusta factory in Varese (before a more mass production was moved to Bologna), which made it so valuable for collectors (the Cagiva elephant logo can be seen in several places). The original rear silencers and all covers are in the original. Convince yourself with a visit to our beautiful rooms in Löhne in the heart of East Westphalia. The vehicle is ready for collection in our showroom. We would also be happy to deliver your new vehicle individually to your home - in a closed car trailer, where it is transported gently and protected from all environmental influences. Our vehicles are not open to the public and can only be viewed by appointment, preferably on Sundays and public holidays. Financing possible on request. Price, no VAT can be stated. Subject to errors, changes and intermediate sales. The seller assumes no liability for any typing and transmission errors in vehicle data.
Very nice and I'd also like to state that I don't think any bike should be left standard but only modified in keeping with the original theme of the bike. So, if you don't like my nose cone....sod ya!
