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😎

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@FAMA-18]

You sound just like me, looking at my Ducati 1098s in the garage, no matter what I always have to take a peek.

[@mafkeezzz]

@@FAMA-18 one of the best looking bikes? no, it IS the best looking bike ever produced

[@ZuminaZX]

we need more content like this. One of the things about old bikes we all really appreciate is how well the riders and the community get to master/know them through the years.

[@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

[@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

[@TheGoldenPig.]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@redplats]

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

[@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.

[@clashcityrocker2051]

You say you change the belts every 12k , is that regardless of age? I’ve been told never leave for more than 5 years. But it’s such low tension and modern belt tecnology is so good I’m sure it could be left for ages!!!!! Just not rich enough or brave enough to try it😩

[@thetonetosser]

I owned a 748 in my 30's, a 916 in my 40's and 50's and now in my 60's, a 749. Overall I would say the 749 is a far more refined, comfortable and usable road bike. It certainly doesn't have the looks of the other two but it really is a pleasure to own. I agree about the 916 gearing too. I changed the drive gearing on the 916 and also fitted a 180 rear. Lost a bit of top end speed but the bike was much more usable on the road. Actually more like the 748 I had previously. Neevsey is spot on. Back in the day, the Ducati's turned many a head and started umpteen conversations with total strangers due to their uniqueness (biker's and non biker's alike). Being as I am now virtually a pensioner, I think my superbike days will end with the 749. I'm very lucky and grateful that I was able to save hard and experience them all during my riding years. Budget sensibly for the maintenance costs as they are asbsolutely incredible machines to own and ride.

[@joeblow5037]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@USAracing]

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

[@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. 👍🇦🇺

[@USAracing]

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!

[@Vtwin_Superbikes]

Gorgeous lines on them. Timeless.

[@Checkmate1500]

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

[@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!

[@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 ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@P.DuncanMonk]

I have a K61000 as well as a 2015 1299s. I sold some of my other bikes but the K6 is a keeper. The K6 is my absolute favorite above all others.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@peterarnobroer1411]

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

[@stinkerdoodle1737]

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

[@Edison73100]

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

[@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. 😍

[@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.

[@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!

[@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😎

[@branthurley2285]

Chris overcomes his natural reticence😉to advocate this lovely 996. His knowledge seems encyclopedic & almost matches his enthusiasm. Superb content, thanks, MN.

[@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.

[@frankspeakmore7104]

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

[@USAracing]

Indeed

[@wizardmoto]

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

[@TotakTosong]

This is an absolute beauty

[@TrulyUniqueOne]

The best looking bike ever made by a long way

[@constantinosschinas4503]

Pure engineering looks. Just wonderful.

[@JohnRushworth]

Beautiful. Sympathetic non standard mods that truly add to the bike and make it yours.

[@markobutkovic5414]

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

[@johnnysurr]

Definitely best looking bike ever

[@spscorse]

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

[@darrenpugh8576]

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

[@pixiemoto3673]

And the sound is just enough to feel monsterous

[@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.

[@paulbudford]

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

[@MrG61-u9k]

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

[@splodge57]

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.

[@cromulentparty]

998 Matrix is the dream bike

[@ArtstradaMagazine]

996 dream bike

[@phillipmorgan6822]

That’s an amazing bike, and these videos are great.

[@ryanGnVtown]

The bike that got me in this game.

[@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 :-)

[@FAMA-18]

Great looking bike till this day, ages just like fine wine.

[@pixiemoto3673]

This is one of the most beautiful creation of human

[@davideulivieri5138]

That Duck sound... Awesome!

[@ducsauce]

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

[@vegassasin]

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

[@ianplayer3329]

Still a fantastic looking dream machine 👌😍

[@stevelawrie9115]

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

[@pistolpete6321]

Stunning looking motorcycle!

[@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 🙄

[@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.

[@brianperry]

A work of art..

[@30NLF]

Amazing! I really want one of these. Stunning

[@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 😜

[@Supercruze]

Gorgeous bike. Love the paint scheme.

[@shadowred1980]

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

[@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

[@Gambo916]

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

[@devilsreject320]

Work of art !

[@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 ;-)

[@SimonElliott-e5p]

Iconic bike.

[@chipsnpeasifuplz]

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

[@Rawdawg321]

This was favorite bike when I was growing up. I never got one. I ended up being an R1 guy.

[@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. 🇺🇲

[@riderzinc]

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

[@davidmurray3685]

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

[@poc329]

The 916 was when it started for me. 😊

[@USAracing]

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.

[@quoderatdemonstrandum5442]

I had a 996. Beautiful bike. Rode like no other.... But it was the biggest mechanical POS ever devised. Sprag clutches. Starters. Electrical system. Cooling system. Rear brake. Finally got so tired of throwing money at the silly thing that I virtually gave it away. Never own another Ducati again.

[@alexstoermer]

😂

[@justinmckeown9029]

I’ll echo your statements on the 996. Mine’s been a pain and it spends more time being broken than functional. Conversely, it shares a garage with an 848 EVO and Streetfighter 848, both of which have been faultless. Reliability got way better after the 916 era.

[@deanhuggett5613]

Great bike mental sound,(thats why i bought one) but omg so uncomfortable so had it for 6 months and had to get rid of it as i am used to gixa 1000s so a bit slow for me and my arse said no more 😂 great video fellas and you need to do a video on a K1 1000 please.

[@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

[@_Archambaud]

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

[@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 ;)

[@Bumbaclot213]

It was a 996 that a regular of a bar I worked at rode, that made me want to ride bikes - that bike is in GTA 5 (the owner worked for Rockstar games)

[@Steeps1969]

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

[@davesnowpros6785]

Best one so far. Thank you

[@bikegeist]

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

[@doca8792]

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

[@MikexMorgan]

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

[@dirkmohrmann8960]

I have a 998, after riding it on the roads for a couple years I converted it to track only. It really is the worst road bike ever because it is zero fun when ridden at low speeds. To me the very rare sunday morning lap, where you actually have clear roads needed to enjoy it, was not enough to justify it. On the track however, it is absolutely marvellous. And for better or worse, it attracts more attention in the paddock than all the V4S's put together. I have the same radial masters, but also upgraded the front calipers to the ones from the early 999s, which are much better than the stock ones when pushed on track. I actually wonder how Chris' brakes feel with the radial master but the old calipers, the master is a larger diameter (because the matching calipers have larger pistons) and should theoretically make the brakes feel a bit wooden.

[@montoya197803]

I can totally relate to your comment. I too have a 998 and I live in a densely populated area and still ride on the roads. Sunday mornings are the best, but most other times, it is difficult to find roads without traffic. If there was a track closer, mine would also be track only. Ive also thought about upgrading the calipers from the early 999s. It would make sense too since I have a 999 deep sump engine in mine. I absolutely love these bikes.

[@fevangelou]

Ah, that sound.

[@ehtikhet]

Who manufactures the clip ons?

[@anthonywhite9264]

I remember when the 916 come out n sitting at a garden bar hvn a beer when 2 pulled up ,God dam I hv the lil brother but its a 2002 748R 17 years I hv owned it n like ya said when ya start em up then ride em n open it up f#@k that noise ....

[@alanssnackbardailyrelaxati8155]

The lad has taste...

[@stuwhite1969]

Yeaaaaaaa! Finally a super bike Awesome