Ducati 996 | The bikes we buy | MCN

#Ducati #996 #mcn
MCN's Head of Content, Chris Newbigging talks us round his beautiful Ducati 996. Listen to his chat with Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves, here.
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section!
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[@motorcyclenewsdotcom]

Can you think of a prettier sportsbike than Chris' Ducati? (There can't be many...)

[@joeblow5037]

no

[@BjorckBengt]

It is beautiful but today you can get a lighter bike with more power which still is less extreme, like a Speed Triple 1200RR, which in my opinion also is better looking and more comfortable.

[@timothymills733]

Well, as an old Ducati guy, let's see; round case 750SS, Pantah, F1, 851, 888, Superlight SS, Supermono 😉

[@spotty_cat26]

748? But then, I have one and I may be biased?

[@kiztime1234]

Yeah, the 998, it has a nicer looking fairing, all smooth and sexy looking.

[@jimpanzer07]

I have a 2001 996S and its cranky, geared too tall, vibrates, has a grabby clutch, runs hot and not very comfortable but all that is forgotten when you hit the twisties! Bike is amazing and has the best sounding twin paired with super model looks, has to be one of the most beautiful bikes ever made! Nice review and really like the improper black wheels and sounds fantastic😎

[@PicturebikeMXphotography]

Still one of the best looking bikes ever made. Ive had two 916's years ago and there was just something special about them thats hard to put in to words if you haven't owned one, the feeling you get when riding one is something special and you cant park one up without looking back at it in awe when walking away! I have an 848 evo now, it always reminds me of the 916 when I ride it. Im constantly going in to the garage just to have a look at her and a sniff of the Termis :)

[@stephanelutz6243]

I’ve found it impossible to fall out of love with the 916/996. Very exclusive riding experience that no other bike will give you.

[@TheGoldenPig.]

That is a bloke who is truely in love with his bike. So passionate and knowledgeable.

[@vanduc996]

Great video guys! I’ve owned a 996 since 2003. I’m on my second and have put on a little over 100,000 kms on them in that time. Mine is significantly modified to get weight down and make it more responsive than stock overall. When it’s running properly ( it definitely hasn’t been a trouble free relationship over those 20 years! ) it’s so damn satisfying to ride and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s a true classic of Italian motoring, whether two wheels or four

[@drsrsv8884]

The 🇮🇹 just know what men need! What did you do to lighten it? I'm going to buy a 996, and would like to use it for classic racing.

[@vanduc996]

I lightened everything all over the bike! Since you’re racing you can loose all the street stuff which will loose a good amount of weight. The front headlights and holder are really heavy, for instance. Anything that spins is a good place to loose weight. Flywheel and clutch components for instance. Wheels, if you can afford them, also makes a huge difference. A light weight, modern battery is a really easy, inexpensive way to loose 5 or 6 pounds. My bike is about 60 pounds lighter than stock. Some of that comes from all body parts including gas tank being carbon fiber, which is expensive. But i would say the first 30 pounds or so doesn’t need to be that expensive, and will have a big impact on how responsive the bike is. Good luck and have fun at the track together

[@drsrsv8884]

@@vanduc996 Thank You.

[@grahamalderson5048]

I have the same bike but yellow, bought it new in 2000, done just over 30k trouble free miles Inc several tours of Scotland in all weathers, I'm 59 now and still love riding it, have done all the mods this has had done also.

[@Vtwin_Superbikes]

Gorgeous lines on them. Timeless.

[@joeblow5037]

This is my Mona Lisa 🥰 Thanks for making him start her up, Michael 👌

[@randydalmas]

For the 2001 996, the Showa front forks and Ohlins rear shock was the stock suspension. However, the Ohlins steering damper is a definite upgrade!

[@redplats]

Chris, thanks for sharing the bike with us - still fantastic looking machine after all those years!

[@Marc99999]

I was 14 when the 916 came out, and it was alrdeady 5 years being obsessed with bikes. This one was something else regarding to styling, exclusivity, price too. As Chris said, the first time you hear it, it will stay in your mind forever. Still dreaming of testing one, one day. Very good user review. Many thanks.

[@MM-xr6tz]

I saved for 4 years to buy one back in the day. Still the best looking and sounding bike ever made for the road, enjoy Chris. 👌

[@speedbird2166]

You been drinking?

[@HalfdeadRider]

@@speedbird2166 I know, he hasn't seen my ZX9r has he 😂

[@kwakithailand]

​@@HalfdeadRiderneither my Z900 with an open Marving back in the late 70s 😂

[@HalfdeadRider]

@@kwakithailand 😂 😂

[@kirillryzhkov2021]

​@@HalfdeadRiderno one is going to be fawning over a zx9r 20 years from now unlike a 996

[@edwardfrench9925]

I started riding two years ago and my first big bike, to my surprise and appreciation, was a 748. I love it so much. I don’t ride fast but I love the feel, sound, looks and am staggered that for £4,500 I could own such a stunning and iconic looking bike. I frequently get thumbs up from people that see it. I’ve toured with it and found it comfortable (I’m 6ft4). Not being UKEZ compliant means she is currently with a friend in the country and I use my GSA but when my mind drifts to think about a ride, it’s the 748 I wish I could use. Such a pretty bike

[@peterarnobroer1411]

What a great video! As an old school Ducati lover it’s great to hear the love for the bike in Chris’ voice

[@davideulivieri5138]

That Duck sound... Awesome!

[@Checkmate1500]

Wonderful video, not just the bike, which is iconic, but to hear the love of the owner.

[@blindfrog3741]

I have a from new a 998, it’s done 72,000 miles. Never any issues. Just replaced the dry clutch plates every 15k otherwise they rattle. Belts every 12k. I’ve also had the forks and shock sorted by K-Tech. Made it better for the road as it’s softer with improved damping. Now I’m over 60 Ive moved the handle bars above the forks, dropped the forks for clearance. Ive a few bikes but this would be the last to sell.

[@TrulyUniqueOne]

The best looking bike ever made by a long way

[@brianperry]

A work of art..

[@stinkerdoodle1737]

What a beautiful bike....keep up the great content.

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Fantastic bike, great to hear real people talking about their passion. Back in the nineties, when Lotus was developing the original Elise, the designer Julian Thomson and the engineer Richard Rackham were mates and both road Ducatis - a 916 and a 748. They credit the Ducati with the inspiration for some of the design features in the Lotus Elise. I remember Richard Rackham saying that you don't use these bikes to their limit, how could you, but maybe you were lucky enough to be able to buy something just because it was beautiful. 👍🇦🇺

[@wizardmoto]

90s-10s were the golden age of Ducati Superbikes.

[@Vforfreedom]

Same bike I had!! I miss it so much!!! I sold it in 2014. I started with this base model 996 monoposto and put roughly $20000 more onto it on extensive engine work, SPS computer and cams, ms production RS bodywork, 54mm full exhaust, magnesium wheels

[@ArtstradaMagazine]

996 dream bike

[@perhjerdt]

Aaah, but your spot on. Had a 996/1098 motor and a rc36 built with rc45 fairings that i traded for a 22 v4 panigale. The v4 is now sold 2 summers later… it’s something with these 90s bikes. Sound, smell, connection or drive experience if you will. Got me 97 blade instead. Yep, old fart I am… but happy again!

[@Vforfreedom]

This bike is still more head turning and captivating that seeing a 959 or V4 on the road. The sound is orgasmic and so deep you feel it in your chest!

[@markobutkovic5414]

This guy is living his dream ( and mine too). Great video

[@doswoods653]

There’s a video floating around of a guy giving a random roadside barn owner a couple hundred bucks to look around and cherry pick potential antiques to restore and sell. Once inside he found one of these beauties with a few hundred miles on it that hadn’t seen light in years. Epic find and I can imagine quite the come up from a couple hundred dollars once cleaned up and sold. Can you imagine? The luck of some people!

[@onefastmini]

I have a 2000 996 BiP painted orange like the British SBK livery. It gets attention everywhere I go. I agree, it's the sound that really gets me, it's emotional and intangible, and really needs to be experienced to understand.

[@vtwin6683]

What a beautiful bike, it's also good to see Chris, I loved Practical Sportsbikes mag 👍

[@vegassasin]

amazing format, please make more vids of regular blokes and their bikes

[@rogerkay8603]

Anything Neevesy worth a watch and I have always lusted after a 996. Do like Practical Sportsbikes too, had my TRX850 in there a few years ago, miss that bike. That 996 sounds amazing!

[@splodge5714]

In 1993 I had a 900SS but longed for a 888SP5. Then I saw the new 916 at the NEC bike show...what a game changer. But now I would still love an SP5.

[@30NLF]

Amazing! I really want one of these. Stunning

[@pixiemoto3673]

And the sound is just enough to feel monsterous

[@Supercruze]

Gorgeous bike. Love the paint scheme.

[@pistolpete6321]

Stunning looking motorcycle!

[@davidmurray3685]

Brilliant idea for a video series guys, thank you 👍👍👍

[@adambhoyroo9719]

Excellent video, Chris that is a lovely bike. I echo all the feelings you mentioned. I am custodian of a 996 SPS and it’s the best bike I have owned. What is amazing to me every time I ride her, is that for 23 years old bike the handling is still up there with the modern stuff. For the road its perfect, on track could do with a little more power. But would not change anything. Keep the videos coming.

[@johnszwede8516]

Agree I have the same thing and the same feelings . They are 100% brilliant.

[@shadowred1980]

Love that, thank you for sharing. I think many of us would appreciate Michael having a go with some camera's on. :)

[@keithwaller4545]

Fabulous had one for 6 years south of France 3 times did exactly same to mine . Gutted didn't think of changing the gearing. 😍

[@davesnowpros6785]

Best one so far. Thank you

[@RadDadisRad]

Great looking bike, rode one 20 years ago and that exhaust is HOT in traffic.

[@jimpanzer07]

bike is a pain in traffic with tall gearing and grabby dry clutch😎

[@volvogt21]

Love the video. I had an S2 for10 years and regretted selling it. 20 years on i bought an 848.. no abs etc and all the styling elements i loved back in the day. SS swingarm trellis frame underseat exhaust etc and very undervalued.

[@Balafoutre]

A thoroughbred, is always a thoroughbred!!! Maintaining it with love that is.

[@Showmetheevidence-]

The fact the 916-onward bikes still look so good today shows you how incredible the design was!!!

[@mynewcolour]

The 916 is undoubtedly a design classic. Not just in the world of motorcycles but in design history.

[@Edison73100]

I bouught my 916 in 1997, new, I still own it, there is nothing like it.

[@user-yn5zi7lu2n]

Iconic bike.

[@devilsreject320]

Work of art !

[@ianplayer3329]

Still a fantastic looking dream machine 👌😍

[@paulbudford]

Great bike with a great story. It makes it even better having belonged to Chris's Dad.

[@badannyrey4296]

This is one of the most beautiful creation of human

[@TumzDK]

I clearly heard a "you should have a go on it sometime" while Chris was looking right at me! Well...I'm available that day ;-)

[@prodriver001]

Nice video! I have a 998(2002), no S or R. Every time I take it out for a spin it puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.Fitted with the termignonies 54mm. I also have an 1299R FE and V4R 2023 . But none of them brings that smile to my face like my old 998. Gorgeous bike and, boy what a sound!! No ABS , no traction control, just man and machine. I will never sell it.

[@cecilwilson5442]

That's why I don't ever want to sell my K6GSXR 1000 it's 13000 miles and no buttons,,abs ,, it's my favourite bike,, and that's the important thing,, it's the individual choice,, great video 👍 from northern Ireland ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@darylclifford]

Wish i could own one of these, but as I’m 65 i bought a Sports Tourer ST4S with the same 996 engine. It’s more comfortable and I love the way mine sounds too!

[@frankspeakmore7104]

That bike will always been viewed as the best looking bike ever made.

[@Vforfreedom]

Indeed

[@ducsauce]

Missed Practical Sportbike magazine....you guys needs to do more reviews on 80>00's iconic bikes...

[@clique53]

A brilliant video - very informative 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@funkyfin3023]

Looking at taking the plunge on a 996R. Had a yellow 748R back in the day but is it better leaving fond memories as they are? Cheers and food for thought over the winter.

[@darrenpugh8576]

7 or 8K for a bike as gorgeous, timeless and iconic as that? That's a bloody steal!

[@johnnysurr]

Definitely best looking bike ever

[@mattyk7726]

I owned a 996 for about 3 years and sold it 6 years ago. I regret it. I own a 2010 R1 now and a 2009 ZX6R track bike. I would buy it back in a second.

[@MikeXMorgan]

Loved this! Great insight and what a stunner to look at! (No, not Neevesy!)

[@rendracucumargie2312]

Wowww Amazing🎉

[@ryanGnVtown]

The bike that got me in this game.

[@mrdoodle8748]

That is some bike, loved hearing Chris impart some of his knowledge of Ducati.

[@drdesmo8489]

Fantastic video from some good lads. Icon bike known around the world. A feeling unlike the others when riding one. Bellissimo. Clack clack clack goes the dry clutch yummy 🤤. Thank you for a video not full of silly editors saying stupid things. Only thing better on this video would have been a go pro camera point of view ride ;)

[@spscorse]

Love my SPS these bikes are rolling art and performance Ducati built bikes to race then put a headlight on

[@stevelawrie9115]

Yep!! that's the broom, broom sound!

[@rolfbiber3503]

Beautiful bike. I love my 998S Monoposto from 2003, with Öhlins fork from 748R, and racing radial brake pump. Slightly tuned engine, racing clutch. Greatest bike for the black forest, there I let it fly. That bike is fast and torques up from 3000 to 11‘000, 7000 rpm is more than enough in most cases. It needs +100km/h the whole time, thats sure 😅 You need to be fit, specially after 47y of riding fast bikes 😜

[@ApexMotow]

Nothing says more than someone putting their own money into a product, after getting to try them all. More of these staff bike videos please. 🇺🇲

[@adilshahkadri]

Beautiful bike. I have a 916 Biposto and it's a piece of art I think. Out of curiosity the front brake reservoir doesn't seem to have enough fluid in it ??

[@LRJones10]

I thought that too, hopefully it’s just the angle of the camera 🙄

[@999Rabs]

I’ve got an 848, which I love but I pine for one of these…hands down the best looking Superbike ever made - to me anyway :-)

[@stuwhite1969]

Yeaaaaaaa! Finally a super bike Awesome

[@bikegeist]

I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as these two, but this was fascinating.

[@Cbrmansc77]

How does the mid section feel when you slam on brakes with that narrow tank....... iv been through it forn2 years before I went fireblade

[@poc329]

The 916 was when it started for me. 😊

[@Vforfreedom]

When I saw the movie FLED in the 90s I said to myself thats my next bike. I was ready to do anything to have one.

[@presstodelete1165]

Very simmilar to mine and I am enjoying it more than the Foggy I used to have that I confess I was scared to damage, so never road it properly.

[@fevangelou]

Ah, that sound.

[@marivelalarconveliz2172]

Excelente

[@angry_genius]

MCB loves DUCATI

[@dalemeadows225]

Beautiful 😍

[@nta9371]

I love my 996 SPS

[@alanssnackbardailyrelaxati8155]

The lad has taste...

[@riderzinc]

Im taking my 954 to bsd to get mapped, heard good things about them

[@doca8792]

I’ve a silver one. Bought it to look at it more than I ever ride it.

[@Steeps1969]

Nice bike! He wants to keep an eye on that front brake fluid level though! 🧐

[@_Archambaud]

I have an St4 it's a quarter price 916 in terms of noise and throttle response.

[@ismailraja8734]

❤beautiful

[@Gambo916]

Yes......my limited edition 916, which I've owned for the past 25 years........but can you guess which model?

[@bikedockbicycles]

Id love to know if 20 year olds look at that and think it looks ok but old fashioned like i would have looked at bikes from the 80s 20 years ago. I cant see how they can. It still looks absolutely mint, I wouldnt say modern but still amazing

[@ehtikhet]

Who manufactures the clip ons?

[@ririyuri7290]

Ducati should bring back that sound

[@worldtraveler8613]

The matrix bike 😍😎

[@stephenchapman8344]

Nice.👍

[@maamajhigouri1207]

Beauty ❤

[@chipsnpeasifuplz]

Notice its got original rectifier. Burnt the wiring out on mine like they always do. Use mine daily for work

[@user-dm8oz3io4g]

Cool