Ducati 916: Better Than New Superbikes

[@beer3029]

When I was 22 I rented a 998 and rode around Switzerland, it was the best week of riding in my life. This was before all the electronic policing tech, man It was absolutely incredible.

[@vanduc996]

I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised you managed to shoot this whole video without getting pulled over for crimes against Italian sportbikes.., riding a 916 behind an SUV for that length of time, barely ever exceeding mid range rpm..?!! Absolutely criminal !

[@soundzrinmygarden3833]

Probably because it was so uncomfortable and the suspension was too stiff. He should have been ordered off that motorbike and sent to the naughty corner.

[@FredOliff]

“Driving” 🤦‍♂️

[@carlmayer691]

Yeah, but wrecking a 3K MINT 916 is even more "criminal" .. well done FYI on the 916 ...

[@Poorlybobsdad]

The one with the camera in it?

[@shaunbainbridge1584]

The Nine One Six is as iconic as they come. The headlights are everything, you know what it is as soon as you see it. Foggy is not everyone’s cup of tea but he ragged it senseless to great success and don’t forget he raced on the island as well. Foggy=legend, 916=legend. 916+Foggy= a legendary generational period of WSBK even to this day

[@Anthony-lw7qf]

You just love to see Antonio returning to the channel in front of the camera on 2 wheels, grazie!!

[@amcrchannel6045]

Thank you Anthony! 🤌🙏

[@TheFransVenter]

Still have mine from new! Very good for tall blokes, I am 1,93. Custom made WP rear shock made in '96, Biggelaar tuned heads with 129 hp on the rear wheel, as good as you could get in the late 90's.

[@patryk996]

If your wrists hurt, you're not hugging the bike with your legs properly. The rider's knees are pointed outward. These L twins are very narrow. They let you hug the bike easily (unlike wider inline 4's) to keep yourself propped up with your core. This is an ideal way to ride for a number of reasons -but fatigue and comfort is are two large ones.

[@lrowlands53]

You're so right with this. When I learned to hug my 748 it was gorgeously engaging and even comfortable. Sore wrists are just a sign that you don't know what you're doing.

[@Edison73100]

I bought my 97 916 new in 97, and still own it. Really enjoyed this video, wish you could have been somehwere where you could have really enjoyed the riding experience to its fullest, and the orginal intake noise is just as beautiful as the exhaust noise at WOT by the way.

[@RENIELTUBE]

-97 916 with 72000 on the odometer.. Abs is where it's at.. carry your weight with your abs + speed and not your wrists..

[@FanOWater]

I bought a 996 Monoposto new in 1999. No test ride allowed. My wrists were dying by the time I got home. But all was forgiven when I got to my favorite twisty road. I ended up club racing it for three years. So fun! Cheers

[@captainamerica9353]

Back around 2002 or so, a friend bought a brand new 996S. Which cost like $19,000 way back then. He had every problem from the Suicide Stand, to flaking cams to rear wheel bearings and didn't own it long. But I was able to get a short ride on it, and yes they are small bikes but if you think your suspension is stiff, ride a 996S sometime! I thought I was gonna lose all my fillings. But my friend was able to get it around BIR pretty fast on some track days.

[@alexanderpatterson6316]

I think you articulated the emotions well, I’ve had a 916 for 20’years and ride it regularly.

[@halomiya7730]

I am a 916 owner as well. And, I love your presentation.

[@edwinthompson159]

Having to ride that Ducati at that speed(s) is like bringing a kid to a candy store and then telling them they can't have any. . .

[@stuffhappens5681]

I bought a brand new ‘93 900SS. When the 916 showed up it was so beautiful and radical it set lap records everywhere. Later a buddy bought a new 996. Super to ride. Loved the Castiglioni era so much I bought a used ‘95 900SS SP and a ‘97 CR. Nothing sounds as good as an uncorked Duc!

[@shrevewaxter4876]

Well done! Two other random facts: original 916 was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum Art of the Motorcycle show, and Tamburini also designed for MVAgusta and another iconic bike: MVA F4. And how you stayed behind that camera crew for so long took a lot of patience!! 👍👍

[@stevenmoore4078]

Donald, I was expecting you to be in the helmet and leathers to give us a first-hand review of the Ducati 916. As a Ducati 996 owner, I enjoyed the video.

[@martinsaye6869]

Ive owned 2 of these a Yellow 916 an now i have a red 916 , had now for 10 years , makes me smile for hrs after a quick blast once in the cockpit its pure Bliss !

[@onazram1]

I love it! I'm new to Ducati with a 2021 X Diavel Dark, the motorcycle absolutely blows my mind coming from Harley-Davidson's...

[@lowbaritonewwj]

I had a 1993 888 SPO from 1999-2009, and it was a pretty special bike. The 916 replaced it, and was even more special.

[@spscorse]

I replaced my 888 with the SPS although I love my SPS and it’s a better bike the 888 is a beautiful looking and running bike it’s own way so when one came up for sale I bought one should’ve never have sold it in the first place

[@joeyd4593]

was hoping to see Donald riding the 916! great video thanks guys

[@L3Trip]

Well done Antonio! Enjoyed the video, keep em coming.

[@veteq101]

This was an excellent review of the 916, really enjoyed the video. Well done.

[@robertarthur3711]

I’ve still got a very early 1994 S1 Strada, its cost a whopping £13,200.00 in 1994, it’s an amazing thing to ride and fabulous to simply look at. Prices are steadily rising every year, eventually the 916 will be out of most peoples reach. Don’t be fooled it’s still a fast bike.

[@JohnG-gu5wo]

I have a 1995 sp , amazing bikes.

[@Omeeds_need_for_speed]

Nicely done love the video very detailed, great camera & editing work

[@bmpgmp]

Fantastic video Antonio!!! See you at the next Cars & Coffee on my Streetfighter V4 S!!!!!

[@TheDucpilot]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I own a 996 as well as a 999s and praise myself happy being 1.91m (6ft3i) tall. Having longer arms makes it easier to sit upright now and then o:)

[@steveluria8341]

In 1994 I bought a CBR900RR and loved it, but I always dreamed of having a 916. It made my CBR feel like a turd... :) I come to Newport often, I hope to see this and the 1098 when I'm there.

[@ronwhite8503]

The Ducati for the looks but the Fireblade would get my money.....and did.

[@chronodriver]

I also went from a 900rr to a 916, it took me two weeks to adapt to the slower steering of the 916 but have never looked back since and still have and love my 916 over 20 years later. Had an 1198s as well but sold it because it did't have the stunning front end feel the 916 has. Still keeps up with anything on a back road

[@troygalbraith625]

Excellent video, more please

[@rollingchilling]

sweetest bike ever 🤩

[@DailyDrivenBikes_1]

Besides the 1098 evo and f4 mv Agusta it's possibly one of the most beautiful bikes ever made.

[@GaliciaInTheFlesh]

Best sports bike ever produced. What I would give to just take it for a ride, my dream bike!

[@salvatorecacciato935]

I’m italian i’m looking for a 996… I have 748, 916, in red color and yellow 998 😜💪

[@herbb6813]

Was that Donald pulling a wheelie in the intro????

[@Vonslik69]

Since the Ducati 916 was first introduced back in 1994, the 916 was and still my favorite Ducati. PURE ITALIAN SEXINESS. We used to call them the " two-wheeled Ferarri"😎. Poetry in Motion....and standing still***👍

[@carlmayer691]

The Ducati "testastretta' " was designed by an EX Ferrari F1 engineer.. Ducati once used the "Prancing Horse" logo before Ferrari IIRC

[@chrisdrye2600]

Be great if you could ride it outside of a 30mph limit set of roads!!! Was hoping to have some sound and commentary at higher speeds.....

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

For sure, but we have very low speed limits in Newport so we have to be respectful! Thanks for watching the video

[@trex8693]

Lucky to have one in my garage.

[@TRUE-WORSHIPPER952]

Always a great review, Antonio!!! Greetings from Dan and Gayle !

[@spirobouloukos511]

Timeless classic!

[@danieljoseph255]

Can fit a set of golf clubs in the rear cowl storage

[@Westside7be]

I don't know if my 916 is better than the Pani V4S. I rode the latter approx 35 miles and didn't find it more fun. It burned my inner thigh 2nd degree (left side), was "blistering fast" (quite litterally, I still have the scar after 1,5 year of putting daily cream on my thigh) and of course did put a smile on, but wasn't that nice even at slightly illegal speeds (instead of the jailtime speeds it achieves all the time without any efforts). And it's so expensive. For price/pleasure, i'd gladly keep my 916, and that lady already sure ain't cheap guys. You can never, ever scratch the V4S' capacities on road. You can on an 916 and you'll get a big smile, even a good scare from time to time. Also, what I can vouch for, the 916 really doesn't develop its power like the R ninety! (which is so much more souple at lower revs tough)

[@ciofinma]

How can you try a ducati 916 all the time at 20mph!

[@MrBigal451]

antonio how tall and how much do you weigh. trying to see how i would fit on it, im 6' 200lbs

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

5ft 7in 150 pounds

[@MrBigal451]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork I still want one. It took lil bit to build up specific muscles to ride my 848. I guess I will do the same for the 916. Thank you and Have awesome holidays!

[@ScotYount2025]

GP Shift?

[@montelatici]

Great video. Only one correction. Italians are taller than Americans statistically. Southern Italians are relatively short, but Northern and Central Italians are relatively tall bringing the average up. "Jan 30, 2017 · According to the latest statistics, the Average height of Italian men is now 176.4 versus that of American men which is 176.2."

[@ninjarooneil7866]

There will never be a better bike than this, ever.. whenever I see a guy on one of these old 916s I have to go and talk to him.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

I was followed to our b-roll filming spot by a guy who had one back in the day. He said it made his week to see one on the road! - Antonio

[@metalted6128]

Damn film crew!!! Always in the way!! Great video!!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

No film crew no video!! Thank you for watching!

[@DetroitMicroSound]

What it means to control everything on the machine yourself.... A real racers machine.

[@theant9821]

never heard anyone call it a nine sixteen before, ive only ever heard it called the nine one six.

[@danielluthi7506]

YES, DUCATI . . . . .there is no subsitute ! ( riding the 996 Bi-Posto in Germany )

[@Steverinomeister]

Driving? Driving? Is this guy even a motorcyclist?

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Antonio is an avid motorcyclist who has been on two wheels since he was 5! He just misspoke

[@Ducatirati]

Then a 996 by extension must be better again , wanna buy a good condition 996 20ks , yes build up core strength in stomach muscles, coz it's a 200kg dry weight bike that kills the wrists with that weight

[@donc-m4900]

Small? I had a buddy buy a shorter seat so his feet could reach the ground. 2010 ish models

[@rayroberts5832]

You ride a motor cycle not drive it

[@gdfggggg]

I have a crusty old ZZR1100; the acceleration is violently insane. I reckon I’d smoke you in a straight line. Corners would be a different matter..🥒

[@shineyboots]

The 916 is 9--1--6, not nine sixteen. Just so you know when talking to a Ducati guy.😄🤣

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

Cmon man.. a 200$ or 150$ helmet?

[@amcrchannel6045]

AGV K3 SV is DOT certified, perfectly safe and adequate for street use

[@metalted6128]

He clearly said he’s in 1-2nd gear. Also clearly not a track. Perfectly safe for this video.

[@mick998r]

Riding not driving...

[@Steverinomeister]

A modern sport bike is better in every way.

[@Steverinomeister]

Heh heh check the title.

[@Edison73100]

Yes, if you want to ride a computer.

[@overbuiltlimited]

Have to define “better.” By the numbers, safety and nanny features, yes modern bikes are better. For an analog experience that you can’t get anymore the 916 is one of the best.

[@metalted6128]

Not true! It’s a classic, superbike. Not a modern super bike. Of course it’s different.

[@Iamjustsebas]

This is the F40 of motorcycles it’s like saying that a Tesla is better than an F40 😂

[@carlmayer691]

Greatest "half-hour" superbike you'll ever ride...cause the longest you can ride it is 1/2 hour. After time in the seat dealing w/ it's ergos is no biggie.. ..base 916 .. nothing too special aside from the mileage.. 996 S, R, 998R , special livery packages are just stunning.. 999S, R testastretta .. 999 is thee best handling Ducati superbike of it's contemporaries..bar none, even bests many of todays superbikes..IMO. The Ducati proprietary Ohlins are stinkers, along w/ base SHOWA , Sachs suspension.. the aftermarket Ohlins is the way to go.. Funny you mention the dry clutch rattle.. just about everytime I pull into a gas station somebody says.. 'you hear that ?, I think you have a engine problem'

[@Ducatirati]

Then a 996 by extension must be better again , wanna buy a good condition 996 20ks , yes build up core strength in stomach muscles, coz it's a 200kg dry weight bike that kills the wrists with that weight