Ducati 996

I had the 916 and loved it.....well to be honest it was the bike I hated to love. It was too small physically for me so I always had neck and knee pain after I had ridden it.

Mine never gave me any serious trouble other than the seal in the clutch slave cylinder going, that cost about £5 to fix. You need to keep on top of servicings, especially the belts. If they stand for a long time without being run up the belts can take the shape of the cam and when started they can then jump a tooth. Never ride it until it is warm. Ducati engines take a while to get the oil up to the head so let it warm up and come off idle before you ride it and then ride for a couple of miles before you give it the big guns.

Electrics are typically Italian, although mine never missed a beat. I think it is as many Italian machines you either get a good one that gives no problems or you get a dog of one.

Termignoni exhaust will make it sound unbelievable, I had 52mm straight through on mine and it made the RSV I have now sound ridiculously quiet (I have a Scorpion race can on this at the moment)

I found, as with all twins, you have to be committed in the corners or it will spit you off. Don't be scared of keeping the power on in the bends or the back end will twitch.

If you have a suicide stand on it, just remember it is there or you could find the bike toppling over when you stand it up and forget the stand has flicked up (I am still getting used to the RSV not doing this and have been known to ride off with the stand down as the cut out has been disconnected).

Rear brake is notoriously poor, same as the RSV. I rarely use the rear brake so it never really bothered me. The clutch is heavy, you can lighten it by putting an aftermarket slave on but I never bothered. As it is a dry clutch it is important to clean out the clutch dust from the basket or it can lead to early wear on the plates. An open clutch cover will help with this as it will clear the dust, but the downside is it is then open to other debris.

Other than that they are awesome bikes mate, enjoy it

The 996 is what turned me on to bikes I remember a movie back in 97 or 98 where this black and white guy are in a chase scene on a pair of 996s. I would love a 1098, the 999s front just doesn't do it for me. I just fear the maintenance stories and will prob get an aprilia instead until I can afford the maintenance on a duc.

I'd like to own a Ducati just to say I have done..I actually fancy a 999 as they are bargains at the moment

Happy to help ship exhausts out to you if you find some cheapies here in the uk:thumbup

I'm in Kent ,15 miles from the centre of London,


I know some people don't like shipping abroad.

Looked at some original 996 cans looks like you may be able to take them apart:devious

I had 5 Ducati's before I switched to a 2005 Tuono Racing. I sold it recently for exactly what I had paid for it 4 years earlier. I have now got a 2004 though registered in 2005 RSV1000R Factory. I think my endless search may be over.

I never had any trouble with the Ducati's which included a 748SPS, 998, 998s and two ST4s's which had the 996 engine.