How Ducati made the Best [looking] Motorcycle Ever

The Ducati 916 is arguably the most important Ducati Sportbike of all time, and it might be the most beautiful motorcycle ever
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[@gtheofanopoulos]

The most beautiful motorcycle of all time is MY motorcycle.

[@pmwaffle9348]

Yea, I thought the 916 series looked better until I saw both in person. The f4 looks so much better, from fit and finish to the lines, it's a very special bike. The 916/996/998 series I think does deserve the title of "best" road bike though because of its racing domination.

[@kz6fittycent]

I will never forget the first time I ever saw one in person and in the same setting heard it started up in the showroom. I was awestruck by that bike.

[@daviddavidson4496]

Tamburini was a genius Davinci level

[@mark675]

Me too, I was actually 'star struck' stunning bike

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Another piece of trivia about the 916; Richard Rackham and Julian Thomson, the engineer and designer of the original Lotus Elise both had Ducatis ( a 748 and a 916) and rode them together during the design of the Elise. They say they took inspiration from the bikes for the cars design, especially the way the bike revealed beautiful engineered detail as you looked under the skin. So that's another little Italian connection to the beautiful little Lotus Elise.

[@axeldecieux6188]

La DUCATI 916 est la diva intemporelle de Tamburini !

[@ShandiNicole1982]

As a collector and owner of several Ducatis, I have to agree.

[@daviddavidson4496]

Proof Doyouevenridesis

[@ShandiNicole1982]

@@daviddavidson4496 I owe you nothing.

[@claudemarchand1196]

maybe toy ducatis

[@ShandiNicole1982]

@@claudemarchand1196 what, you don’t like the fact that some girls ride and work in there own bikes?

[@RocketPropelledWombat]

@@ShandiNicole1982 I can't speak for the other two here, but I didn't even realise it were a girl talking s***, thought it was a guy.

[@jtfritchie]

Really love that you include video source credits in your videos.

[@gavinjones7006]

Of course it's the most beautiful bike of all time. Are lucky enough own one from new 998s. Still remember pulling up and other bike rides coming over to check it out at every stop.

[@samyb2834]

This is by far the best motorcycle channel. You can feel the passion through his videos. I’m impressed by the amount of research.

[@Carlito797]

Yes yes yes. It is. It's an icon in the motorcycle world.

[@rzaultra165]

from RC30 - RC40 to RC46 and 2007 RC212V is an extraordinary design combination. The RC series is legendary.

[@complicatedscene7484]

The quintessential beautiful motorcycle, the Gold Standard for modern motorcycle design! Love your vids, Bart - thanks for the great content over the years.

[@timfarley274]

People just love my 748, I ride it 40 miles to work sometimes, I don't feel any more uncomfortable heat wise than on my 7r. The 7r is my preferred ride but I love the riding position of both. Don't half ass it, if you want to ride a race bike, then ride the geometry and love what it does for you.

[@TheOriginalCoda]

I like riding mine to work, as long as I can keep moving. Otherwise its a bit of a pain in my neck. I'm not 25 any more.

[@josephblofeld]

Finally! Been wondering how long it would take you to get around to making this? Thank you... great video and I appreciate your efforts to bring it to us all.

[@nknicolas]

Massimo Tamburi genius !

[@mrsmith4662]

Such a good looking bike, I bought one. Alas, only the Tamiya kit, but still appreciative of the aesthetics.

[@MotorProsa-Channel]

I still own a MY 2000 Ducati 748s. The design is simply stunning - even after more than 25 years of ownership.

[@IgoByaGo]

This was “The Bike” when I first started to get into motorcycles. My dad bought a 900 SS and they had a red 916 at the stealership. I fell in love with Ducati then and knew it was going to be a lifelong dream to own a Ducati. I almost bought a 959 at AMS Dallas in 2016, but I didn’t feel like I could give it the attention it deserved. One of these days. I would love to have a 916 (I love the 998). My dad still has the 900SS and in my opinion, the best looking Ducati ever, a 999; but I still want one of these.

[@peterbischof8520]

I still have my 916 I bought in 1995. V serial number built with tlc. I'll never part with it..OK maybe when I take a dirt nap. Love it :)

[@invizzziblecitizzen7092]

Love ur work bro 👊

[@jimurrata6785]

I'd say the late '70's 750/900SS bevel bikes starting with the wins by Paul Smart and Mike Hailwood were the nexus of Ducati's race design.

[@davidrochow9382]

I'm glad you mentioned the " Italian" electrical problems. I had a 250 2c Benelli from the 70s as my first bike and it was a great bike except for the electrics. My favourite Ducati is the 750 Super Sport from ( I think )1974 . I love those and if I ever won the lottery that would be one of the first things I would buy.

[@paulreed6089]

The 749/999 series is more advanced. The 749R is still one of the most high tech production bikes ever built. most Ducati machines are very nice. I had the 750 sport model and there were only 400 built worldwide. They are doing extremely well in MotoGP.

[@Zero2Niero]

748 owner here Beauty is subjective but objectively only few people struggle to recognize it's beauty. The wrist hurt only if you don't preload the springs correctly. It does tend to get hot but mine rarely overheat (i live in LA). Yes it does have electrical issues but i believe there are two points you failed to address: 1 - This was a bike designed for racing and ADAPTED to road use and not the other way around so everything from posture and dry clutch are designed for a 50 min race. 2 - Ducati, the Cagiva group, never expected such wild success but in two years they came out with perhaps the most significant bikes of the 90s: the 916 and the monster. Production couldn't keep up and a fire at the factory did the rest. These bikes were hand built for a niche audience but racing success matched commercial success and that was unexpected. Otherwise good video. It's also inaccurate to say that ducati did not have race pedigree. Dude, it won the isle of mann with Mike Hailwood.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

One IOMTT race won in 1978 would not yet equate to pedigree in the late 80´s.

[@Zero2Niero]

@@rafaellastracom6411 Of course, the video made it sound Ducati had no race pedigree but it's not true. That's all.

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@Zero2Niero What do you mean by "...if you don't preload the springs correctly"? Trying to figure out how to make mine a bit easier on the wrists.

[@Zero2Niero]

@@TheOriginalCoda hi, it depends also how much you weight and how tall you are. When i re did the top end the mechanic really loaded the front forks and suddenly no more pain on my wrists.

[@joerodriguez9484]

First let me say great video. I remember walking into my local dealer, and he had a yellow 916 on the floor. I'm not a sport bike fan, but I wanted to buy it so that I could just put it on display in my living room. It was, and still is the most beautiful motorcycle I've ever seen. Just a gorgeous bike. Unfortunately, my wife wasn't on board with the idea.

[@jurgentreue1200]

I remember the first time I saw a 916 in the flesh. I was at an Italian motorcycle show about 90 minutes from home. It was around 1996 or '97, I rode in on my Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Two guys showed up, one on a Gilera Nouvo Saturno 500 and his friend on a 916. Both head turners.

[@PicturebikeMXphotography]

I had a 1994 916 biposto years ago, was a stunning bike. I now have an 848 evo, also a beautiful machine....

[@thebretteaston]

Great video! 👏👏

[@Bob-ts2tu]

long before i was a biker myself, i used to think wow whenever i saw a 916 since a m8 bought one in the early 90's. now i'm in my 60's and riding a lot, i'd love to have a go on one but doubt my back would bend over enough to enjoy it lol.

[@hhuhuh94]

916 is my 'want to have' motorcycle all time!! the slick design and the dry clutch not to mention the power. V4s is great but still it's better to feel the pure race soul.

[@seangingras6068]

How cool would it be if Bart made a motorcycle Discord server? Also Of course i love your videos keep doing the great videos!

[@matthewlogan4616]

919 and 996...that's when they declared them the Ferrari of bikes...gorgeous machines.

[@troyscherr5054]

That's an incorrect statement. I have magazine articles in 87 and early 88 using that phrase .

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@troyscherr5054 to which motorcycle(s) did they apply the phrase? Curious.

[@Emily-ou6lq]

Design copied off of the Honda NR750

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@Emily-ou6lq 'off of'? 🤮

[@punchbuggyyellow7097]

The 916 was everyones poster bike back in the 90's, but it was the Monster that was the most important bike that Ducati released during this time and it was a parts bin special. The 916 got all the press, especially when it arrived here in Australia with a hideous single rectangular headlight due to design rules at the time. But most people drawn into the showrooms by the 916 rode out on a Monster.

[@boots2926]

Lucky enough to own one. Had it for > 20yrs. Ive owned and still own some of its predecessors. (1299S currently). For 90% of the time a 916 is a pain in the ass. But when you get to that 10%, it makes up for it. Nothing turns quite like it. Doddle to work on too. Bodywork removed, inc tank n airbox in 5 or 10mins. My 1299 takes me about an hour. The 916 is just so well thought out. Its perfect. Ive even toured on it round the french alps. Ridden from UK there and back. It loves the twisties of the Alps and Juras.

[@doublenosshot02]

As someone who's looking for a 999 for sale, id love to have a 916 as well

[@-DC-]

Only surpassed by the MV F4

[@volvogt21]

Missed out on the cheap used 916 era. Ended up with a 1098. Same styling cues. Single sided swingarm headlights lattice frame underseat exhaust but in a way better and more powerful package. The 1098 and 848 are the bargains of the sport bike world atm.

[@mmotorcycles9497]

They truly are the best looking sportbike of all time. And all the negatives aren’t enough to take away from it. The 748 is even more fun of a bike on the street

[@scottwalker8949]

I think the 851 deserves more credit

[@scottwalker8949]

The first time I saw a 851 back when that was the super bike I was in awww

[@DustyVisorMotorcycles]

I remember when the first ones came out, the Tri colour ones, pretty tame looking compared with it's predecessor the F1......

[@williamfischer3990]

The 851 is one of the most overlooked bikes ever made. Sadly it’s overlooked because of the 916.

[@troyscherr5054]

Absolutely agree. I own 3 of them.

[@troyscherr5054]

​@@emptymannull Not just in the Ducati family but the 851 forced Japan to up the efforts to compete.

[@CyberChrist]

Having had a 750 Sport and now and now an 1199, I must say the 916 and its different iterations still are the most beautiful production bikes ever.

[@torashuPanda781]

Certainly it's the first motorcycle that made me think "I want one of these". Nowadays I'm more into the retro look and I'm not the speed bike type of rider. But it is definitely a beautiful machine.

[@worldtraveler8613]

I think the 916 was the first of many gorgeous Ducati sport bikes. The newer ones are even more beautiful imo. But the 916 was the first of it's kind.

[@narrowistheway77]

MV Agusta be like, “Hey Ducati, hold my beer” 😉

[@taki_maciek4799]

I 100% agree with the statement, that the 916 is the most beautiful motorcycle of all times. I want to buy one, but as I'm more familiar with 600cc I have a plan to obtain 748. I see the similar approach in terms of the design as for 916 when I look at Ducati 1098 and Panigale - 916 has established certain style. In my opinion Panigale derives a lot from 916, however these visual details are larger and more visible - in my opinion they are almost grotesque. The same, happened for many more motorcycle models, such as GSXR, which has lost his purity along the time. Cheers!

[@donhartung9400]

Proud owner of a 996.

[@nope.c]

Most beautiful of all 🤙

[@chrismoody1342]

First time I saw a 916 was up in mountains outside Boulder CO. Seeing it I knew there was something special about it. Fact is I made the guy pull over so I could get up close and personal with it. I about fell over dead when I found out what he paid for that bike. And then there was a two year wait to boot. Kinda made me say I’ll pass, there were bikes half the price and just as fast and dealerships practically on every corner. In retrospect I’ll keep with my ZX6R. Honestly the Kawasaki will probably handle that mountain road just as fast as the Ducati.

[@scotthouchen1916]

The supermono was an exceptional automotive mechanism. Wish they had made a road version and mass ,and i mean mass produced it. Who doesn't, to this day, want one?

[@johnnyjrotten59]

I loved watching these at the Super bike world Championships. I love the Senna II model best

[@malcadorthesigillite2541]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 916 isn't the most beautiful bike I've ever seen but it's completely subjective.

[@Emily-ou6lq]

It was copied off of the Honda NR750

[@MrWillt100]

The Britten V1000 was a real looker,

[@s.a.f.r.a6403]

Ducati 888 is the bike that truly brought change for the brand the 996 took over

[@233kosta]

In fairness, most of those electrical issues I'm sure could be remedied by someone competent rewiring the bike. Outside of engine management, it should be a simple enough job.

[@basilbrushbooshieboosh5302]

It is the most beautiful, yes. Have always thought this.

[@233kosta]

Beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all, I'd compare by type. Certainly is the best looking sports bike I've ever laid eyes on, but I can see preference coming into it. For instance many love cruisers, etc.

[@brucelange730]

I'm a child of the 70's -- Ducati 750SS Round Case

[@carlmarkwyatt]

On a side note, my first road bike was a 1998 Cagiva City 50 scooter in red, it's major selling point was the Ducati 916 inspired headlights haha

[@littleshopofelectrons4014]

Most beautiful sport bike, yes.

[@MikeKing710]

This bike is also iconic in Hollywood movies

[@scottishguydownunder544]

The 5 spoke wheel on the 996R and 998’s made it much better. I loved the 916 other than that 3 spoke wheel…

[@pdm2201]

I know I’m old school but the bikes I admire most have an engine which is visible. The Ducati 750SS and 900SS from the 1970s are better looking. The first generation 1976-1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans are also beautiful but Guzzi unfortunately added more plastic to the later Le Mans.

[@trippontwowheels]

Nice!

[@brianperry]

Ducati started with the Pantah 500 cc..still air cooled but belt drive cams and a lattice tube frame, A big move from the older, but still beautiful 900 SS…When l first viewed the 916 l was instantly smitten….it’s earlier cousin was quite a nice looking little bike but the 916 had moved the design criteria forever…..

[@williamfischer3990]

I hope the Desmosedici RR is the next video. It’s the other legendary “modern” Ducati.

[@chrislye8912]

I definitely feel that this was the prettiest bike ever penned..

[@johncunningham4820]

The FIRST change was the Little Old 600 Pantah . Eliminating the Bevel Drive . Very fidgety to get right , but wonderfully Reliable and long lasting ,once sorted correctly . Bevel Drive Ducati's make a Sound all their own . One that Cannot be Emulated . The SECOND change was the Double Four Valve heads . Bevel is Purist Traditionalist Mecca .

[@marksmit8112]

Great looking machine the 916 was sleek and epic like all the the top line Ducks bar the ugly 999. However the 2007 MV Augusta F41000r was the goat

[@smokerjim]

It's lucky that honda think imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, seeing as a lot of obvious design cues were straight ripped off from the NR750 (but who can be angry at something as aesthetically beautiful as the 916/996/998 series?)

[@MrSlurry]

There's a quote from Tamburini that goes "When I saw the NR750 in Milan I thought it was going to be the future of motorcycling. I didn't want to copy it with the 916, but I wanted the 916 to look like it with sharper lines. At that point we'd been experimenting with other exhaust positions, to the side of the bike like the 888 and at different heights, but when I saw the NR I tried under the seat and it felt right." On top of that the NR had a single sided swingarm and similar dual lights. Everything is better resolved on the Duc though

[@mariobernard5583]

Honda, I suspect, paid the favour back with their 6th gen VFR800, complete with under-seat exhaust. Mine is red, and more than once I've heard "is that a Ducati?"

[@MrSlurry]

@@mariobernard5583 except that bike was not nice to look at...

[@carlobrotto7132]

Honda has always thought of imitation as a form of flattery, since first time they produced their Super Cub Scooter in 1966 making a shameless total copy&paste of Benelli's Picnic 75 scooter, so what's the news ? The japanese brands and particularly Honda are known to be the biggest flatterers & copycats of Italian design, tech specs and innovative engineering in bikes industry through the decades !! 😁 Most important is not reversing true facts making of Honda genial inventors and of Ducati creators of desmodronic engine the rippers...

[@ML-dh6ly]

It’s the 749 for me

[@grahamsmith2022]

I think the 1098 family of Ducatis' looks even better but of course it was based on the 916 appearance.

[@lifeiswarwarislife1972]

Homage to the 748 too.

[@Anonymous-iw4hx]

the 916 is absolutely beautiful in a unique way, for me, next comes the 1199 then V4, somehow i always prefer the first design over the facelift. the 1299, not as beautiful as the 1199, the current model of the v4 is also not my thing. i currently saving up for a V4S 2018, did a test ride last weekend and will do one tomorrow, its just insane what these bikes can do in our current time

[@soundslikebstome]

I would say the styling came from the Supermono, which is better looking than all of it's bigger siblings imho.

[@anthonysilvestri4946]

Call me crazy - but I love the 749/999 ❤❤❤ They were very futuristic looking (actually ahead of their time) and performance wise the 916 couldn't hold a candle to them! I see 749s for sale all the time at great prices and would love to pick one up - but the race ergos are way too committed for me...

[@tomthompson7400]

To own one is to understand it.

[@user-hk1nv1do9t]

That sure is funny ,showing a picture of the bike in the vid where the 916 took all it's styling cue's from but failing to mention the NR 750 or the RC 30 as an inspiration .......

[@user-jk9yx5mk9x]

For me the most beautiful motorcycle is the MV Agusta Superveloce

[@tomtomed1]

Could we get a video on the st series?

[@frankindustries356]

Great video, but no mention of the 916's mini me, the Cagiva Mito?

[@848evo4]

it's a great looking bike, it's up there in the top for me along with the RC30, R7, MV Agusta F4, but I really feel the 848/1098/1198 are better looking the the 916/996/998's. And not just because I own one.

[@bk83082]

To talk about influence without a single mention of the Honda NR750 is a massive oversight, as it was the biggest influence on the 916's design. I think "most beautiful" rankings are generally useless but personally I don't find the 916 exceptionally good looking, but I do like them. I find the bombastic 80s and 90s styling this video denigrates, more pleasing. The fact is, the bright graphics and bulbous bodywork of those bikes are a tiny splash of color in a design landscape that's leaned overwhelmingly minimalist and austere over the course of about 100 years. Screaming at 13k rpm to 150mph on two wheels is wild and zany, so go ahead and paint the bike lime green with hot pink and purple graphics.

[@marksmit8112]

Thats because the NR is an overrated ugly pig of a bike, sorry but the gixer was the boss of that class

[@bk83082]

@@marksmit8112 has nothing to do with my point. It was the main influence on the 916's styling and should probably be noted in a video about styling the 916. And if you're talking the mid to late 90s I would tend to agree with you, the SRAD gixxer is probably the best street bike of that era but the Ducati was dominant in World Superbike racing at that time.

[@marksmit8112]

@@bk83082 All what you say is true except initially about Ducati 916 being influenced by NR750, the llooks are different and its a V4 oval-piston, DOHC , 8 Valve per cylinder vs twin, so I dont get the reference?

[@bk83082]

@@marksmit8112 Tamburini himself admitted that seeing the NR750 at EICMA left such an impression on him that he tossed out the original draft of the 916 and started over. It's well known and documented that Honda beat Ducati to the punch on styling cues such as the single sided swingarm and the split headlight design. So I definitely think if someone makes a video about the inspiration behind the 916 and doesn't talk about the NR750, they messed up.

[@marksmit8112]

@@bk83082 Sounds very interesting, thanks for the reply

[@john_barnett]

For cars it's the E-Type for planes it's the Spitfire but for bikes it's the 916

[@davidemarsu7098]

3:05 Tamburini*😅

[@krallonthefloor]

When are we getting a video dedicated solely to the Honda Dream?

[@lenowoo]

Isn't it amazing that we already know what to expect when someone said Italian machine German machine Or japanese machine

[@FSXairpilot]

Haha, I was thinking towards the end about how you did not remember the 1986 suzuki gsxr750? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and while the ducati is beautiful, the gsxr appeared first.

[@langhamp8912]

In my opinion the predecessor to the 916...the 888...was when Ducati as a whole dramatically upped the quality of their production bikes. A friend of mine...who sadly died in a crash with his 888 when another rider coming the opposite way overcooked his lane...showed me how much better quality-wise the 888 was compared to the 851. I think the joke was the 851 needed to be immediately rerouted due to the terrible electrics but the 916 had a much better wiring harness. And as a whole the 888 was when Ducati met the Japanese standard of fit and finish. People who aren't alive from the 1990's have no clue just how bad Ducati quality was. It was terrible, and condemned Ducati to be "Sunday morning bikes." Nowadays, you can daily ride all Ducatis (well, except for the Panigale V4's which will happily turn your toes into hot dogs...I wouldn't know since I've never personally ridden any Panigale) but that simply wasn't the case back in the 1990's.

[@Onlineghost2ohm]

❤ What a wonderful time to be into “motorcycling”when this was NEW !!! Right after the ‘96 GSXR 750 was the “Newest, hottest race-replica for the streets…MotorCyclist Magazine gave the 916 “Bike of the Decade”…over ‘92 Fireblade, ‘96 GSXR and ‘98 R1 (all new designs) and RC-51/TL1000R were ‘copied’ off this Duck 🦆 916.

[@anusblaster8671]

If I could pick any bike I wanted, it would be a 916 or early Fireblade.

[@unstoppable2131]

Beauty is always subjective. For me the best looking superbike is the fireblade. The mv agusta's rush 1000 is the best looking naked sportsbike .cruiser would be the breakout HD.

[@RobertR1200rt]

Good stuff Absolutely beautiful bike. I read the comments. You gotta laugh. Opions are like A-Holes. Everyone got one😅

[@grantpiper6358]

Comfort...try riding a 1981 Ducati Pantah for a few hours!

[@laurenmartinez55]

Best looking is doing some legwork there. The bike looks fine. You can tell it came from the 90's. That's the best I can say about it

[@GrigoriZhukov]

I am THE oddball out. The original Monster. Weirdo that I am.

[@cycoklr]

Both the 916 and 1st gen Monster are gorgeous designs. I'll pick the Monster every time because I can ride it day after day as long as I want with no pain. That is its functional beauty.

[@whythatbro]

you make waaaay better bike content than you do rocket league content, your bart channel is good, miles better than fluump

[@hermannhallerbusiness891]

I wish you knew more about European motorcycles, apart from the export brands... Not juet when it comes to classic/vintage bikes, Germany had some of the coolest shit esp. in the 20ies and 30ies...

[@tichwykes]

For me the 916 deserves the most beautiful bike ever made award if there is such a thing, nothing since has ever upstaged it sure there are faster & better bikes now but nothing comes close to how the 916 looks.

[@Emily-ou6lq]

LOL it was copied off of the Honda NR750

[@tichwykes]

Hardly copied apart from a single sided swing arm everything else is different

[@Emily-ou6lq]

@@tichwykes ...exhaust, tail, front lights....you need glasses, mate

[@tichwykes]

@@Emily-ou6lq Whatever mate front lights aint the same & it doesn't even have the trellis frame I think its you that may need the specs lol

[@rajeshkr9071]

MV augusta❤

[@aemonblackfyre4159]

916 or 1098/848 what’s your favorite? When I grew up the 848 was my dream which I managed to buy a couple of years back Both bikes look incredible and if I ever find a good deal on a 916 I’m gonna get it!

[@prototype9904]

I don't think understand how spoiled they are today, so many options and styles.

[@daleevans3841]

My opinion is contaminated! The 916 was the most beautiful motorcycle ever until I saw the F4...... Then I realised what the F4 cost to buy so I reverted back to the 916. Am I a fake?? Money is a powerful corrupter. Consider your spouse. The most beautiful person you've ever seen, right??? And then you see a Hollywood A-listers film which leaves you stunned..... See what I'm dealing with here???!!!!

[@cycoklr]

Then the younger ones show up. Superveloce? Speed Triple 1200RR? F4. The view from the tail is priceless. And the scream... 😁