The story of the Ducati 916 | Interviews | Motorcyclenews.com

23 year ago, in 1994, the Ducati 916 was unleashed on the world, changing the face of superbikes almost overnight.
Here, MCN contributor Jon Urry tells us the story of the 916.
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[@Stratblooz]

The most beautiful sportsbike ever built in my opinion.

[@fvgc454ss]

Agreed

[@beetleything1864]

seconded@@fvgc454ss

[@TrulyUniqueOne]

1000% there's no better looking bike

[@beamdoctor5637]

Back then they wore the most. Now they look classic but I struggle to say MOST. Just beautifully classic. Which may be even more of a compliment.

[@tuscanyinmotion5089]

MV AGUSTA F4

[@artmchugh9283]

one of my best t-shirts I own says THE BEST THING IN THE HARLEY SHOP WINDOW IS THE REFLECTION OF MY DUCATI

[@Edison73100]

I bought a new 916 and 1997, still have it. I also bought a 2008 1098R a couple of years. I enjoy my the 916 more on the street, just a joy to ride all these years later. The 1098R is just brutal and you need to invest in some aftermarket suspension bits, triple clamp, fork re valve etc, to get it to turn in and not push but OMG is it fast. Only failure I ever had on the 916 was the regulator and that was years ago, updated one installed no issues since. Change the oil and belts and stay off the rev limiter and it will last for years. Have had fours valve adjustments and all four times just had to to do minor shim adjustments. I did do some update in the valve area, can't remember what it was right now, had something to do with metal flaking. There was a recall for the rear hub years ago, but I bought the magnesium WSBK swingarm arm and linkage from Pro Italia and that took care of that. Also bought the magnesium triple clamp and cast magnesium Marchesini and bunch of other bits, CF bits, Termignoni half system with chip etc, but you really can't tell unless you know what you're looking at which is what I like. Great bike. However when the RC30 came out in 1990 or so I wanted one so bad but our kids were young so I could not afford one. That was a great bike too. However, the to have IMO was the Ducati 998R. Pro Italia had one way back in 2002 and once again I couldn't afford it. But I did have the 916, and now the 1098R has made up for it:) P.S. listen to one in person before judging the sound. Better still if you can still go to a track and listen to one go by and I'm talking about the 916 that had the howling intake noise like mine very very unique and then you get the pops/booms and whatever on throttle shutdown, and the dry clutch, may change your mind. Also the video above was on the high idle button, not normal idle, big difference.

[@greyhound3561]

I also noticed the idle at 4000 rpm, it made me a bit angry - I have a few ducati belt drive era bikes, from 999 to 1098, plus an1198 R - I totally agree with your thoughts about them, mine was an ex Australian SBK job with it`s race-tune and road gear (lights fairings etc) it was set up spot on for me but I was a bit afraid of it, Also had the 1199 Pano S and a D 16 RR for club rides, - few pics on my channel - ride safe pal...

[@hunkyleepickle]

Would love to see more of these MCN. The bike news in general spends way too much time on the latest and greatest and next to no time celebrating the classic bikes that are now still incredible, and in many cases much cheaper!

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

From a design perspective the 916 was a real game changer.

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Copied of the Honda NR

[@cnealmartin]

The Honda NR wasn't exactly available compared to the 916. I think they only made 50 per year ??

[@MrKdr500]

50 per year? they made a total of 200 bikes, regardless of whether the average person could buy one Ducati still copied a lot of Honda's ideas.

[@photomaster7888]

honda was ridicilously expensive

[@alexanderson2907]

Gabriel Johannson they ripped off Honda, and used their design for decades

[@Gambo916]

The 1992 Honda NR750 is often quoted as being the first bike with underseat exhausts, but actually the Yamaha TDR250 preceded that in 1988. A few other 916 inaccuracies in that vid, but all in all a very enjoyable watch.

[@infidelgastro]

A timeless classic and still a beautiful machine, even by today's standards. It's aged so gracefully, a lot more than can be said for Foggy.

[@S_Kane]

This is why I fell in love with Ducati and pretty much the only reason I'm keeping my Ducati.

[@strictlyJDM]

I love my 996. This chassis gives so much damn feedback, especially at the track. Even though any modern day 600 will put a good spankin on this era of superbike

[@vinnychoff]

I own a 916bp and have a blog. Very hard to see you start the bike up with high revs. To look after them you should start with low revs, let them tick over and warm before reving. As you say the oil supply takes time to get the top of the head to lubricate all over. I like the suicide side stand. Also have covered over 40 thousand miles on my bike. Battery let me down once but otherwise loved it from the begining. The story about Italian eletrics is not true. I have adapted my regulator rectifier also. Great bike and thanks for your video. vinnychoff.

[@Dranreb865]

What if its already heated up before recording? Start up made maybe just for preseneation.

[@Dante-tt5bz]

Yup I read this before I always let my 748 warm up 5 minutes before I head out

[@BigUriel]

@@Dante-tt5bz The oils is everywhere in like 3 seconds waiting 5 minutes is completely pointless. Besides unless the bike's been sitting for six months the engine head is already all covered in oil before the engine even starts.

[@walrusriding9887]

I'm so glad I have the privilege of owning a 996S! I'm never getting rid of my Ducati!

[@JINXtheTHIRD]

I have a question, it is a 4 cylinder, I'm just not used to the sound they make?

[@artmchugh9283]

will long hey rider ! This 916 and variations are 2 cylinder engines . I have owned 2 , I got a 1991 900ss new , put 195.000 miles on and had the chance to get a special St 2 model in 2004 , just turned over 196.500 miles on the weekend! needless to say i really like my bikes !

[@JINXtheTHIRD]

thanks so much i always wondered why the bikes were so skinny compared to Hondas, but i never would have guessed they were 2 cylinder

[@FlyingTigersKMT]

WALRUS Riding - I had 2 of the 996 bikes, 1 regular, 1 S. Loved them both.

[@ross5506]

@@JINXtheTHIRD it's a V-TIWN sounds very agriculture like a John Deere.

[@wildbill7]

Love it mate. Its been my dream bike for as long as I can remember.

[@poncoolride]

I just got one, and a 1098s.. I just love these Ducati motorcycles

[@cnealmartin]

Picked up a 1299 over the summer. Freaking epic power is indescribable.

[@murrayannandale]

I will never forget the day this came out and how my dad reacted to it.

[@metrev]

My dream bike when I was 16 it still looks sweet

[@allansrensen1480]

Great vid! Love this bike - a icon, a classic!

[@flanners41]

Great video, I have an SPS mine developed seagull wings a few years back at about 120mph as the fairings ripped off the bike, quite an experience, a blur of red over both shoulders lol just carried on and emptied my wallet on a new set when I got home!!! Have the Ultimap eprom and it is dripping in carbon....absolutely beautiful aesthetically and aurally. A timeless icon.

[@stephenr6427]

thank you for helping me geek up and thank for your time excellent video

[@PlayMOARZLEAGUE]

Great video I always geek out on the fine details of a legendary machine such as this

[@wave2k]

Fantastic video, more like these please MCN

[@Jovidian]

Thankyou very much for this video. Great bike. Great review

[@gelul12]

great video thank you keep em comming!

[@ganiniii]

I remember when this bike came out I was 12. I have always adored this bike and the Honda CBR 900. They were so much ahead in design.

[@slatecreations8193]

One of my favorite bikes of all time hands down!!

[@gamelord]

I like these more personal ish type videos!

[@mark675]

Stunning bike, remember the first time i seen one in the flesh i was actually star struck lol

[@mrbigolnuts3041]

thanks! great vid, definitely always been a desirable bike.

[@Basstl3r]

I keep on watching and watching the vid over and over again. Could you please make a part two with more details?

[@gregorylesko9466]

Nice bike. I miss mine and miss my 888 even more........

[@johnpark6138]

this feeds my anticipation for spring to arrive ... just grabbed a 998 to add to the stable .... i can't stop looking at it

[@SuperGligorije]

soon you will doing the same, but with other toughts ... something like: Why the hell I bought this peace of shit ... very well designed (looks) but poorly made ... Tears it self apart

[@beamdoctor5637]

I have had a 998 for 15 years. Your correct that it can tear itself apart. But I park the bike when I don't feel like doing the maintenance or can't afford to send it into shop for check up. It certainly not for someone on a tight budget. But when healthy they can be fun at a lower speed. Specially if you ridden Japanese bikes over 100,000 miles, you can get bored with the engines power delivery. The Italian bikes engine is more engaging. The 998's were made, at least the electrical harness and some other bits to a higher standard as the years went on from the original 916.

[@mattc1627]

I've had a '97 748 SP since '04. I ride it like I stole it nearly everyday and the most trouble I've had is going through a couple of generators and today my quick releases for my fuel tank broke. Thats it. End of list. It is my daily rider. How have I kept it working so long? Simple do your preventative maintenance, and second ride it as it was designed. IE Fast. You baby it, take it easy on her thinking you are doing it a favor, she'll break on you because it isn't what that bike is build for. Simple as that. If you want a status symbol or garage trophy, shes gonna be unreliable. If you put her through he paces every time she comes out, everything will be just fine. I realize that this puts me at odds with the law, but it is a speed limit, meaning bare minimum in my terms.

[@BigUriel]

@@SuperGligorije Funny I've never heard anyone who actually owned one saying such things, it's usually people who've never even sat on one. Jelly maybe?

[@gnarshread]

Absolutely lovely!

[@markufoto]

Great video. Plenty of anorak moments. I might have to make that 20 year dream a reality!

[@owengune]

great video, thanks

[@flyingdutchy01]

still my dreambike

[@cagednm69]

It was the NR750 that gave the modern sport bikes their design language. Tamburini admitted to having been inspired by the NR750 to have designed the 916.

[@nabiji]

cagednm69 true

[@MrKdr500]

The NR750 was around years before the 916 and honda had the "ELF" single sided swingarm 8 years before Ducati.

[@felixarbable]

im pretty sure the 916 desiign was bought from cagiva no?

[@ross5506]

Unbelievable them oval pistons! Have no idea why big H did not Evol into the fireblade line

[@williamsbboy]

Sure. But when you put a 916 besides an NR you cannot admit that is the same bike. Only italians could output a ferrari not an honda.

[@smuert]

that was great! thankyou

[@kubak5306]

Great vid , thanks

[@RadikalCTI]

Just the starting at 0:07 makes you understand what eargasm is... I'm looping again and again on it with the same smile and laughing each time. :) No other bike can give you this feeling of a wild beast when starting....

[@JohnG-gu5wo]

Just bought a 1995 916 sp2 cannot wait till delivery 😍

[@horico]

Clicked like but it made it 917 in total. Great video.

[@veteq101]

Great review, beautiful bike.

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

I had a yellow 748 mono in yellow which was that bikes (nearly) identical twin, right down to the cans. Still the most beautiful machine I've ever owned.

[@TheMotorEddy]

@jonurry 04:35 "issues at the factory". There was a fire in the paint shop, so the early bikes were, as you say, assembled at Cagiva. It's not just the fuel cap - many of the engine castings have little elephant logos cast into them. I think that after the TPG buy-out a lot of the foundry work shifted to Grimeca, but these just aren't as nicely-finished as the early, Cagiva-era cast parts.

[@davidbarett5269]

More of these vids

[@DontTestTheX]

nice stories

[@MisterAki43]

Nice vid guys. What camera did you use?

[@rollingchilling]

sweetest bike ever 🔥

[@AntonWidiastanto]

The Legend...

[@ekoheriyanto70]

...one of my dream bike...👍👍👍

[@diemman70]

Yes it is still a gorgeous bike!

[@LukeDodge916]

Why is Urry giving us the bird at the 7:00 minute mark?? Lol

[@user-glennbob]

Nice bike big Ducati fan!

[@artmchugh5644]

Long Island Ducati 1199s hey rider !!!! Big fan here too !!! 1991 900ss. 196.000 miles , 2001 ST2 205.000 miles and now a new /used one . kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGPTaqCoZp5gh7M Check it out ,, you like ????😎😎😎😎😎😎😎🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 oh it has 81.000. Miles now 😄😄😄😄😄

[@doca8792]

Picked up a 996S to stare at with my morning coffee and my afternoon whiskey.

[@dawidkudaty8398]

Piękne Ducati. Stare czy nowe mają swój niepowtarzalny styl. :)

[@ducsauce]

I was under the impression that 916sp were 955cc and 916sps was 996cc... lovely bikes.

[@champ828]

Agreed, had one of does beauties parked in our lounge room for years. Thanks to my flat mate Sam 😊👍

[@dimitar117]

I would definitely keep it on display in my living room, while not ridden, gorgeous bike.

[@moriwaki1105]

I loved mine.....but it was so uncomfortable unless you were really shifting.....great to work on too....like a proper race bike.

[@GamersBar]

Great video, ducati make some beautiful bikes, when they make a naked bike i like the look of ill buy one. I would buy a 2017 sport 1000 tomorrow for sure (in white if not white then black or grey)

[@BrettAlphonso]

They have the streetfighter

[@RadikalCTI]

Most beautiful motorbike ever made... My dream bike since I'm 10 now I have exactly the same than yours: 916 SP3 n°021 ;) Enjoy your rides guy ;)

[@Basstl3r]

Lovely review! I read that Tamburini could not afford a wind tunnel to tune aerodynamics so instead he just observed how rain drops would travel the shape of the bike. Just picture the bloke with a glass of red wine looking at his bike in the rain... :-) That's just complete un-Honda-rish :-D Also there is this myth about him not allowing test drivers to use the steering damper so that he'd get better feedback on actual performance.

[@argitbeme]

great review, please do more of these videos. it's great learning new things about these beautiful bastards

[@pistolpete6321]

Fantastic review, really interesting. Do you happen to know the hp, torque and top speed numbers for this classic?

[@cnealmartin]

The HP was really low back then compared to now. They were going up against 750cc superbikes with stock HP around 115hp. So that bike was a little over 100hp i think but more torque than the 750cc bikes.

[@Basstl3r]

Numbers vary quite a bit over the years and models from early 916's around 110hp / 90 NM to 998S with around 125hp / 105NM. These bikes are not really about top speed but rather about high average speeds through corners. They are incredibly stable and have a very strong midrange. Compared to modern bikes they are quite heavy at 215-220kg with gas.

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

I owned the first 916 registered in New South Wales flat out 265kph

[@DesmoDreams]

I had a 998 FE for a few years. Pretty sure that was 135bhp.

[@UnknownProdrive]

Great bike. Some info on what it's like to ride would of been interesting.

[@robertburks2126]

Hard to describe, it's fantastic!

[@Runyamouth]

that wasn't boring it was good

[@allant9432]

allways loved dukes

[@festol1]

My favorite: the original 916. Oh.... that magnesiun Golden wheels.....

[@RadikalCTI]

Not magnesium, aluminium for Brembo ;)

[@festol1]

U r right. Thanks :)

[@Pillokun]

I did not catch that about the hub? I should look for if the wheel spun freely or what was it? It was a bit to fast for my ears, :D I love the 916 especially the earlier to 96 as it seems they do not suffer the flaking of the rocker arms.

[@raoufhakam5936]

what he meant is that when you undo (loosen) the hub pinching bolt (rear most of the swingarm), you should be able to spin the hub back and forth (loosen/tighter the chain) without much effort. on the other hand, if bolts were overtightened, it could possibly damage/slightly deform the round shape of the eccentric hub making it rough or hard to spin around when you need to adjust the chain slack

[@beamdoctor5637]

Very good info I needed the translation too, Thanks

[@theant9821]

The cagiva factory built most of the early ones because there was far more demand than anticipated and the struggling bologna factory couldn't cope until investment in the factory could allow productivity to increase. Ohlins forks didnt come in until late post 2000 748r/996r/998r

[@KingCast65]

2CV in the background FTW

[@Dante-tt5bz]

I have a 748 man I love it I named her Margot

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Actually Massimo Tamburini styled the Ducati 916 of the Honda NR known as the NR750! checkout this bike and see the copying.

[@screaminchief]

Great video John. You should do more in front of the camera!

[@kierenmoore3236]

Looks a lot better than it sounds ...

[@stevenbauer7576]

Ducati is a work of art just like ferrari.

[@theant9821]

steven bauer Ferrari hasn't been a work of art in over 45 years. Lancia (until the collapse) or Alfa Romeo maybe

[@christianoppelt6267]

Schönste und beste DUCATI ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this bike

[@blooeyibanez]

And I bet its wasted to someone's garage occasionally turned on to show how nice their prized possession is, imo it should be ridden every day to truly appreciate her what a beauty I'm super jealous

[@NewtonInDaHouseYo]

Hail the King!

[@rosenfeldclaudia]

I have the 996SPS Nr748😎

[@kinglouiesshed8995]

My dad lost his in a crash in France was a M reg the 3rd in the country apparently had the elephant logo on the tank etc and a mate run into him while in France dad ended up in hospital with a cracked shoulder blade and few cracked ribs punctured lung etc and never had the bike recovered and got paid out minimal off the insurance for it shame really

[@jbird330]

I forgot to say they also didn't have termis originally but just silver cans....

[@apollomorris9920]

This bike was designed by the best motorcycle designer of all times. What else do you need to know? He works for MV Agusta now and dose there bikes.

[@DesmoDreams]

Well, I was pretty sure I wouldn't learn anything I didn't already know. But I was wrong :)

[@jasoncolley4102]

I’ve seen foggy on you tube racing a Ducati 955 what looks the same a an 916 in a 1994 bsb super cup race at Donington park just be for the wsbk season started but I’ve never heard of a 955? All so Troy corser at the Daytona 200 in 1994 is racing a 955 Ducati which looks the same as a 888, plz can someone tell me what the 955 is? Obviously the 916 first came to race in 94.

[@akmt9114]

www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ducati/ducati_955_corsa.htm#:~:text=Just%20such%20a%20motorcycle%20would,fibered%20Superbike%20for%20the%20street.&text=That%20machine%2C%20the%20397%2Dpound,and%20race%2Dspec%20engine%20components.

[@flangmasterj]

When I see a 916 I automatically think of that film Fled.

[@jeffskakie5324]

That film annoyed me, supposed bike expert calling it a nine sixteen rather than a nine one six

[@MrKdr500]

most people knew as a nine sixteen.....only Americans abbreviate everything including numbers.....

[@leadsled8961]

Under seat pipes make it faster top end by helping to fill the gap in the air felt by the bike moving threw it. Honda did all the math.

[@Terraceview]

He talks fast, probably because he's just so excited. Another fact; Not only did Ducati steal the underseat pipes and single sided swing arm from Honda, but also the tail lights (RC30).

[@theant9821]

BarryEssex and did honda steal them too? Not the first bike to used those concepts

[@veedee4860]

The ANT show your work.

[@DonnieDesmo]

Mmmmhh... still my favourite bike of all time. It's the Pamela Anderson of motorcycles, even comes in Baywatch red.

[@RadikalCTI]

I would say Peneloppe Cruz or Monica Belucci ;)

[@DonnieDesmo]

Whatever floats your boat man, whatever floats your boat ;-D

[@Dav998]

Idle quite high.. But I understand, it's so low from stock...

[@jbird330]

Er I think you will find that the strada was the first 916 not your one?

[@Joey_Riffs]

1.15

[@MrJonttu_]

That looks like cagiva mito 125

[@liamj2363]

Lovely bikes... Still prefer the Honda SPs though.

[@Gman027]

I own a few of these. You need to hear them in person, they dont sound anything like this. A deep growl and clutch sounds like a bag of rocks in a dryer.

[@legalman2891]

Cagiva Mito 125cc 2 strokes racing generation design also Cagiva GP 500cv V4 2 strokes engine technology thats why the under seat exhaust pipes

[@legalman2891]

*500cc

[@greigsanderson]

The Ferrari of motorbikes.

[@Clausmiran1837]

Still hot after all these years!

[@garywright4656]

GPZ 900 was the game changer ducati my arse

[@SuperGligorije]

you never heard about GSX-R 750 ??

[@firebladerider7050]

Absolutely gorgeous but that 3 spoke wheel is nasty.

[@ashten92]

sounds like it has a vacuum leak.high idle.

[@artmchugh5644]

Fast Freddys those bikes have a high idle control on the handle bar . my ST 2 had one also

[@Roberto1492one]

thanks honda :)

[@slatecreations8193]

😍