Ducati 916, 996, 998 - Which ones are most collectible?
Ducati 916, 996, 998 - Which ones are most collectible?
Author
Discussion

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

218 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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As a kid I was absolutely in love with the way these bikes looked. But as a teenager, I simply could't afford one. Now things are a bit different I'm looking possibly to buy one. But, I want one a bit special... something that is going to be a good investment. I'm not looking to ride the bike a lot... I have an R1 race bike which gives me my needs.

So what models are the most desirable in the real world of Ducati? The 916, 996 or 998?

Also if there are any good Ducati forums or owners clubs that would be great info too. I am UK based.

TIA.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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Most collectible will probably be the 916 SPS, but I suppose it depends on your budget! Personally I think the 998 is the one that I covet the most, but they're all fantastic bikes.

ETA: Some interesting 916/SP/SPS history from this bloke, might all be bks but it's well-written:
https://www.odd-bike.com/2013/02/ducati-916-spsps-...
https://www.odd-bike.com/2013/02/ducati-916-spsps-...

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 29th November 10:24

dibblecorse

7,643 posts

222 months

Friday 29th November 2019
quotequote all
Anything with the letters R or SPS after the numbers, or maybe a 998FE but good luck getting any of those for sub 20k now.

There is currently an NL registered 2001 996R for sale here: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/2001-996r.74...


Motorsport3

568 posts

222 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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i ve run a 998s for a couple of summers and that was pretty special though not necesarily collectors item. I was also drawn them primarily by the looks, but the 998s is the last iteration of 916 series and has the same engine as a 996R. I have to say if i were running a 3+ bike collection i would have kept her.

MrsMiggins

2,867 posts

265 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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The Ducati Owners Club is very active in the UK with lots of ride outs and social events. Good place to find bikes for sale too. Think they're easy to find on Facebook. If you struggle to get in touch with them let me know.

(I'm not a member, but I've been to some of their events and they're a nice bunch of people)

996 sps

6,165 posts

246 months

Friday 29th November 2019
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They are all lovely bud - Just buy one and enjoy, every time I ride mine it is another memory stored:























Edited by 996 sps on Friday 29th November 23:56

jjones

4,490 posts

223 months

Saturday 30th November 2019
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I would have one of these
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2015/november/...

Happens to be one on the autotrader (632 mile, £20k)!!!!

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

242 months

Saturday 30th November 2019
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If looking for an "R" model, you can still get 999Rs for sub £15k.

horico

246 posts

244 months

Monday 2nd December 2019
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As investments, you can start where your budget allows but you can choose from the following:

- original 94 916 - P8 ecu (same as the F40), lots of elephants on parts etc. Varese built models are scarce but desired.
- sp/sps models
- R models
- 998 matrix edition
- Senna edition (either of the 3 versions)
- Foggy edition (deep pockets required)
- SPA (good luck)

Probably a couple more. If you like books on such things, ian Falloon's book on the 916 is excellent and a good starting point to de-mystify the different models.

Good luck finding one.

swampy442

1,954 posts

241 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
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horico said:
As investments, you can start where your budget allows but you can choose from the following:

- original 94 916 - P8 ecu (same as the F40), lots of elephants on parts etc. Varese built models are scarce but desired.
- sp/sps models
That's what I'd say, an original, low miles 916 SP or SPS. Its got the age and status now to be a real earner.

Friend of mine has an original 748 he's had from new, does about 200 miles a year on it and has had some generous offers from collectors.

rodericb

8,915 posts

156 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
horico said:
- original 94 916 - P8 ecu (same as the F40), lots of elephants on parts etc. Varese built models are scarce but desired.
Interesting fact: Ducati produced more Desmosedicii than the 94 916! 1500 of the former and something like 1473 of the latter!

dibblecorse

7,643 posts

222 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
CaptainSlow said:
If looking for an "R" model, you can still get 999Rs for sub £15k.
It will be a dog with fleas sub 15k, 749R is the better bet on a sub 15k budget but I suspect the OP wants the looks of the earlier bikes,

Grindle

764 posts

114 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
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I'd sooner get a far better bike rather than what's more collectable to be frank.
I had a 916, barely 2 months after the first one hit the roads of the UK and thought it was the absolute danglies. But unless someone is a serious collector with endless money, get the better bike by miles, the 1198S. I recall riding to the IOM TT some years back on my 1198S and swapped bikes for an hour with a German guy on one of the very early 916 models. I couldn't believe how weak low down the older bike was, how poor the brakes were and how much better the suspension both ends was on the later bike.
For me (and i have had the incredible 1299 Panigale) the 1198S is THE classic Ducati. The amazing looks of the 916/996/998 bikes with 170 bhp (almost 180 with the full Termignoni and ECU mod my bike had).
I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed. Too many bloody bikes and cars as it is sadly.

dibblecorse

7,643 posts

222 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Grindle said:
I'd sooner get a far better bike rather than what's more collectable to be frank.
I had a 916, barely 2 months after the first one hit the roads of the UK and thought it was the absolute danglies. But unless someone is a serious collector with endless money, get the better bike by miles, the 1198S. I recall riding to the IOM TT some years back on my 1198S and swapped bikes for an hour with a German guy on one of the very early 916 models. I couldn't believe how weak low down the older bike was, how poor the brakes were and how much better the suspension both ends was on the later bike.
For me (and i have had the incredible 1299 Panigale) the 1198S is THE classic Ducati. The amazing looks of the 916/996/998 bikes with 170 bhp (almost 180 with the full Termignoni and ECU mod my bike had).
I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed. Too many bloody bikes and cars as it is sadly.
Thats where we all differ, for me the 1098/1198 were real nothing bikes bar the 1098R, not classic in any real way and have always been 'an alright bike' and I've ridden most versions including an ex Superstock championship winning 1098 bike, they were of the moment and nothing more ....

Grindle

764 posts

114 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
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Well i don't see too much wrong with keeping the same beautiful style of a bike like the 916, but giving it a shed full more bhp and torque, better brakes, wider wheels and grippier tyres, better suspension both ends, a less troublesome engine and service schedule and thus turning it from what we now consider normal 600cc performance into a 170 bhp weapon capable of staying with pretty much anything else road or track.
I don't see, outside of keeping it in the lounge as a collector, why any Ducati fan would want the older, slower, far less powerful, less reliable bike, with it's poorer handling and brakes?
I wouldn't!

Grindle

764 posts

114 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
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The 1198 has the most amazing engine in fact, something to really enjoy and light years from the 916, but a motor to also be wary of as it could be quite savage. The 1199 Panigale engine was gutless by comparison, but admittedly they righted almost all the wrongs of that bike with the 1299 i bought back in 2017. Stunning bike (yet most people say the 1103 Panigale V4 is the far better bike, what would you say?)

rodericb

8,915 posts

156 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
quotequote all
Grindle said:
I'd sooner get a far better bike rather than what's more collectable to be frank.
I had a 916, barely 2 months after the first one hit the roads of the UK and thought it was the absolute danglies. But unless someone is a serious collector with endless money, get the better bike by miles, the 1198S. I recall riding to the IOM TT some years back on my 1198S and swapped bikes for an hour with a German guy on one of the very early 916 models. I couldn't believe how weak low down the older bike was, how poor the brakes were and how much better the suspension both ends was on the later bike.
For me (and i have had the incredible 1299 Panigale) the 1198S is THE classic Ducati. The amazing looks of the 916/996/998 bikes with 170 bhp (almost 180 with the full Termignoni and ECU mod my bike had).
I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed. Too many bloody bikes and cars as it is sadly.
That's the evolution of bikes. An 851 is a bit more ancient that a 916. A 999 feels a bit more ancient to ride than a 1098 and so on. But, there sometimes is more to going out for a ride for leisure than maximum go stop and turn...

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Wednesday 4th December 2019
quotequote all
rodericb said:
That's the evolution of bikes. An 851 is a bit more ancient that a 916. A 999 feels a bit more ancient to ride than a 1098 and so on. But, there sometimes is more to going out for a ride for leisure than maximum go stop and turn...
There's also the poster-factor - I grew up seeing 916/996s winning world titles with Foggy, so it's cemented as a hero bike for me. I've no idea who rode the 999/1098/1198.

Walter Sobchak

5,739 posts

254 months

Thursday 5th December 2019
quotequote all
Grindle said:
I'd sooner get a far better bike rather than what's more collectable to be frank.
I had a 916, barely 2 months after the first one hit the roads of the UK and thought it was the absolute danglies. But unless someone is a serious collector with endless money, get the better bike by miles, the 1198S. I recall riding to the IOM TT some years back on my 1198S and swapped bikes for an hour with a German guy on one of the very early 916 models. I couldn't believe how weak low down the older bike was, how poor the brakes were and how much better the suspension both ends was on the later bike.
For me (and i have had the incredible 1299 Panigale) the 1198S is THE classic Ducati. The amazing looks of the 916/996/998 bikes with 170 bhp (almost 180 with the full Termignoni and ECU mod my bike had).
I'd have another tomorrow if funds allowed. Too many bloody bikes and cars as it is sadly.
From that perspective why not just get a Panigale V4?, it’s going to be a better bike in every way than an 1198.
As a V4 owner I fully understand why the OP wants a 916/996/998, they’re a classic, very beautiful, still offer ample performance and let’s be honest a sound investment!, I know if I had a lottery win I’d have one sitting in my garage, next to an RC30 and an R7.

Robbie_FRS

Original Poster:

81 posts

218 months

Thursday 26th December 2019
quotequote all
So its not about the best bike or value for money in any way, shape or form. I have a bike that is already way ahead of any of the Ducatis I'm thinking about. This is about fulfilling that young unaffordable fantasy.

Is the Foggy rep the ultimate? It's by far the most expensive I have seen so far... And I think I want one. My earliest child hood memory of a dream situation was Foggys bike in his living room. I really fancy a doing the same and feel if it's not a Foggy rep I won't be totally happy???

Keep talking to me guys... I'm all ears.