Yes its the 996R engine but doesn’t have all the R bits and state of tune, of course. I had a 998s from new back in 2002. I bought the S because I wanted it for track days, and the dry sump should help avoid oil starvation with the bike leaned over much of the time on track. As others have said, monopostos are rare. I had mine converted to monoposto, by fitting a light subframe and single seat unit. Many people did this at the time. Over time, I’d imagine many of the original bits have gotten lost and left in garages etc so this is important to check when appraising the value of a bike. Original bikes always seem to be worth more. I had a long break from Ducatis, until about 4/5 years ago when I bought my current 996. The build quality during the 998 era was still not as good as today. It had improved under new ownership, but my bike was a “Friday bike” and hence I sold it (it was off the road for 5 of the 9 months I owned it) and deserted the Ducati brand for the next 10 years. My point is, if you want a reliable bike the answer is not just the model year or variant. The best thing you can do is buy any model, and have it blueprinted. I had the Sigma Performance engine work done (known as the Bip Racer/Grunter spec.) by Snells (who took over this work from Sigma Performance when they stopped doing engine work and focused on their slipper clutches and their owner focused on his MotoGP technical writing). This involves a top end rebuild, some work to cam profile, lighter flywheel, fuelling modifications, and everything is rebuilt to tighter tolerances for better performance, smoothness and reliability. So if you can afford it, I’d factor in a rebuild if you just want the best bike you can have for the money - and want a big grin on your face every time you ride. Even if that means going for a lower model variant and using the funds to do the improvement work. However, you’ll never get the money back and may even reduce the value of the bike depending who does the work. The choice of engine variant is largely academic if you don’t track the bike. On the road, mid range and torque matter much more. The Bip Racer maximises mid range performance. In performance figures terms, you get SPS performance. But its power curve is very different. Of course if you start with an SPS base engine, you’ll have an even bigger smile! The SPS or R variants - as I understand it - can tolerate higher revs and handle cooling, fuelling, oil circulation etc better than standard bikes so you can ride them like race bikes. My Bip Racer spec 996 isn’t meant to spend all day at the limiter, and would probably break if I did that. In fact, I just found blue smoke coming out my exhausts... so I’ve sent it off to Paul at PG Performance, and I’m crossing my fingers I haven’t been over-revving it or something... (Paul used to work at Snells, and now is independent... he did the Sigma Performance rebuild of my bike whilst he was at Snells... contact him if you want to get the same done to the bike you buy - it will transform the bike, and it includes a suspension rebuild with new oil, if you want you can upgrade springs etc or add a race shock). So how you ride, and what you want it for is more important unless this is an investment bike. In which case, originality is the key. Hope this helps in some way... In case you’re wondering, I wish I’d bought an SPS or S or R variant rather than a base 996. But that’s because I now crave a bit more power, and it gets expensive to get more from a base engine. I’m contemplating high compression pistons at some point... or a 1098 motor... I love the 996 styling so don’t fancy a 1X98 or later bike. As someone said on another thread, if you want performance just get a later model like the 1098 or 1198. They’re faster and easier to ride, but if you want the classic 916 styling you probably don’t fancy those bikes! On track, a Bip Racer is brilliant for firing out of corners but you will run out of puff on the straights. So you’ll find you catch up on braking and corner speed, but slower riders will overtake on sheer power on the straights. It’s fun to catch them again, but frustrating if you get stuck behind bunched up slower traffic... The 998s is an ideal base for a track weapon... with a rebuild you could have R-levels of performance for less cash and every-day reliability... I wish I hadn’t sold mine!
Thanks great info I want the old skool styling but with a bit of grunt, 998s with the sand cast crankcase is the one to get I was told No into investment just would like to ride it and look at it, put a smile on my face
Well all the 916/996/998 variants look fabulous to my eyes, so that’s easy! So I guess the key thing is to not over-pay for a 998s. Which means it must be a genuine one. If it isn’t original, you should factor this in to the value. And if - as some are saying - values are softening, you need to be level headed about the purchase. The S/SPS/R variants are always more desirable, and nice to have. No question. But I think the 998s is recommended often simply because it’s the last of the breed, and so the most developed bike, and thus is arguable “the best” of this era. It’s also good value vs the R, and can easily be fettled to make it even better. So this I agree with. BUT... it depends on your budget. Before my 996 I’d never had any engine work done, and wouldn’t have considered it. But a base Ducati can feel nearly as special as a rarer variant, with the right mods. Suspension setup is the obvious one: setting the bike up for your weight and riding style. If buying the 998s would leave no budget left for mods, I would suggest considering carefully what you are after. These are old bikes now, and few will still be performing at their best unless they’ve had some on-going refurb work done under a sympathetic owner. Lower mileage bikes are not necessarily “better” from a mechanical point of view, as rubbers perish and corrosion can still set in. The S is a lovely bike. I’d recommend a few extras though as essential to get most enjoyment: - slipper clutch is a MUST: these bikes can do the back-end hop into corners under heavy breaking (due to the strong engine braking) without slipper clutches, which is not good for the engine (never mind not good for your lap times and looking like you know what you’re doing) - a brembo master cylinder for the front brake will transform the level of feel under braking... it’s hard to understand until you try one... Good luck.
Well all the 916/996/998 variants look fabulous to my eyes, so that’s easy! So I guess the key thing is to not over-pay for a 998s. Which means it must be a genuine one. If it isn’t original, you should factor this in to the value. And if - as some are saying - values are softening, you need to be level headed about the purchase. The S/SPS/R variants are always more desirable, and nice to have. No question. But I think the 998s is recommended often simply because it’s the last of the breed, and so the most developed bike, and thus is arguable “the best” of this era. It’s also good value vs the R, and can easily be fettled to make it even better. So this I agree with. BUT... it depends on your budget. Before my 996 I’d never had any engine work done, and wouldn’t have considered it. But a base Ducati can feel nearly as special as a rarer variant, with the right mods. Suspension setup is the obvious one: setting the bike up for your weight and riding style. If buying the 998s would leave no budget left for mods, I would suggest considering carefully what you are after. These are old bikes now, and few will still be performing at their best unless they’ve had some on-going refurb work done under a sympathetic owner. Lower mileage bikes are not necessarily “better” from a mechanical point of view, as rubbers perish and corrosion can still set in. The S is a lovely bike. I’d recommend a few extras though as essential to get most enjoyment: - slipper clutch is a MUST: these bikes can do the back-end hop into corners under heavy breaking (due to the strong engine braking) without slipper clutches, which is not good for the engine (never mind not good for your lap times and looking like you know what you’re doing) - a brembo master cylinder for the front brake will transform the level of feel under braking... it’s hard to understand until you try one... Good luck.
I have a 748s tricked out with Ohlins rear shock spec'd to my weight and Brembo RCS19 Corsa Corta , STM Slipper clutch .... was going to swap over the good bits Maybe in a 2-3 years get it restored and fettled by JHP ; only if the 998s came up in the right condition or at least a price to reflect its condition , I just find the 748s as fun as it is , I would love the torque of my air cooled 900 monster, it would be perfect , 900 monster power in the 748s chassis
Have you considered an 853 big bore kit? Sigma Performance did these... Paul would be able to do it, or JHP... that’s supposed to be a hell of an engine... Or just throw in a bigger engine to your current frame? I say this because if the only aim is more power, and you’re not bothered by the badge, you could end up with one-off that is tailored to your needs... Just a thought. Here’s some info to tempt you: http://www.sigmaperformance.com/748-853.html
If you want R performance fit JHP undertank filters, fit a PCIII and get the engine set up on a dyno. With these mods my 998s mono easily exceeds R power.
It could be argued it's the first of the breed - apart from the shape it has more in common with the 999
I would rather stick with OE, when you start getting into 853 kits ; its hard enough to source OE parts & the support of going too modded No issue throwing an engine in there but I would like the deep sump unit , just for the sole purpose of reliability, it has the displacement Its a bike I would never sell , similar to my car I have over 12 years None of the newer bikes interest me , it was the poster bike as a kid and in my opinion aesthetically you cannot surpass it 998s is just the one to get , if you are going to get one and go beyond what is it economically worth (personal enjoyment), may as well get the 998s rather than mix n matching frames ..... I would like to get it restored to the similiar condition of the 998 above on ebay; get somebody like Paul or JHP, Moto Rapido to do the engine work ; I like to tip away at doing what I can , enjoy it , its my stress relief , some people like fishing , I like to spanner and do the odd track day Call me a bit out there , but I get a sense of calm just looking at the feckin thing , or even anything that goes fast and is aesthetically pleasing
Fair enough, see your point on OE... The factories spend big dollars optimising performance vs reliability, so OE makes sense... but some people can’t resist “improving” things LOL! Slippery slope... With you 100% on the poster bike thing: same for me. And these bikes are just cool. I tried an 1198S before buying the 996, and it was powerful but wanted to wheelie everywhere. I’m sure you’d learn to ride around that enormous grunt, but I didn’t think then that I needed that much power. And I loved the 916 shape... I think the 1098 or 1198 is the last design I’d personally think of owning, it’s a very pretty bike... but just isn’t a design classic.
