I was perving on fleabay at Ducati Superbikes today and it got me thinking, of the superbikes, irrespective of the age or the limited number etc of the machine, which would you take if all the superbike models were available to you, and all were the same money figuratively speaking? I still have a real soft spot for the 888 SP's, not for their limited numbers but I'm a sucker for a single seat with the number 1 on it, and I suppose it was the first true superbike that struck awe into me the first time I saw and heard one. Failing that, I think a 955, for the same reasons, I remember the guys at ProTwins firing one up and it spluttered and coughed and just seemed really stroppy at being goaded into life, kind of "you've got to be worthy to ride me"kind of thing. And a yellow 748 with a mono number 1 seat - and that's another thing, talk to non bike people they mention "a yellow 478", quite why its so different than a yellow 916 (the whole family through till 998) I don't know. I've ridden the 1198 and 999's and I'll never ever say they're anything but amazing machines, but I don't find myself wishing I had the money available to buy one like I do when I see a nice 888 or a 916 family bike. Perhaps its my age, and they were the must haves of my generation? Don't know really. And even the 916 family, there's something about the cagiva lettering bikes rather than the post rebrand bikes, again, I don't know why, utterly irrational as they are miles better!
Well even though i sold my Aprilia RSV factory yesterday i was able not to shed a tear when it drove off. I regretted selling my old 749s a few years ago as i realised i would not find another in the same condition. So amongst the little collection now are three ducati bikes and i can't see me selling any of them as i love they all for different reasons ( 998s final edition, 999s and a 1098s ) where as other bikes come and go.
I was at a bike night not so long ago and a yellow 847 sps trundled pass like it owned the place, the ground was shaking the earth was quaking, you get the idea .... very impressive. That said, I once had an 888 ??? go past me on a country road at full chat and I thought armageddon had arrived, mein gott!! For reasons I'm not sure of I can't get the horn about any of the 848/1*98 thingys, I've yet to hear a Pani in nutter mode.
as im besotted with the 916 style machines, got to be a 998R , seen a few on here saying the 916 style looks dated, but to me my favorites, the 851/888 style is growing on me too, kev
749 in yellow got me in to ducati alltho i got a multistrada first as i commute 350mls a week.then went looking for a sportsbike 848 in black stunning.
916 is the original. It will always be uber cool. Like 501's. Sure they make other jeans but 501's are always cool. 996 is nice as it looks like a 916. 998 looks like an modded 916. Sure its nice but theres too much side panel. I scoff at them with their fancy extra 82cc's. 916 is THE Ducati...or is it an old round case...? 916 for me definitely....Although an old round case racer would perv me up.
748e in red with Termi's really floats my boat, so much in fact that I scheming for one to be the next Fandangomobile!
You are right, I love the early decals if I squint from a distance I can convince myself that my 600 SS is in fact an 888
The first Ducati I bought ,996R The second one I bought, '89 851... http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f16/ducati-bloodline-851-1199-a-12506/ The third one I bought, 888 SP4. Bloody addictive these bikes.
Got a black 1098s, but I'd love want a red 749r or 999r thank you very much. Wrong age for the 888/916 etc
996R. And if DucatiDad ever thinks his is clogging up the garage he needs to call me, may sell a kidney for it .....
early 916 for me... wanted 1 as soon as they came out, took 8 years before i was actually in a position to buy 1 - had it ever since
