30 years of true idyll

Close your eyes and think about which is, for you, the most beautiful sports motorcycle in history, or at least one of the three that, without a doubt, would be on a fictional podium of beauty. Surely, the Ducati 916 or any of the later versions that, while maintaining the same silhouette, were gradually improved in terms of engine and chassis, came to mind for the vast majority of you.

Why change something that is already almost unbeatable? Because if we talk about aesthetics, the Ducati 916or its younger sister, the 748, are practically unbeatable. Something that was possible thanks to the talent of the great Massimo Tamburini: The “Michelangelo” of two wheels, in charge of the design of the 916, a motorcycle without which the history of the Italian firm cannot be understood.

Ducati 916: Gestation of a star

To understand why Ducati, and Claudio Castiglioni in particular, decided to entrust Massimo Tamburini with the development of their new flagship sports bike, we must put into context the situation of the brand at the beginning of the 90s, when it was part of the Cagiva Group. The latter needed a boost to retire the wonderful “series 8” that had given the Borgo Panigale firm so much joy in recent years, especially on a sporting level.

In this last aspect, they were coming from losing the crown within the WSBK in the same season in which the 916 was shown for the first time at the Milan Salon of 1993. Scott Russell managed to take the title after four victories and 12 second places at the controls of his Kawasaki ZXR-750, while Ducati had to settle for leading the general classification by brands.

So, after five years of development, where Massimo Tamburini and Sergio Robbiano headed the project at the Cagiva Research Center in San Marino, one of the three prototypes built of the Ducati 916 was finally shown in the EICMA 1993. This became a real attraction for visitors thanks to its stylized silhouette, where elements such as a single-sided swingarm, three-spoke wheels signed by Brembo or a front dominated by two slanted headlights stood out.

Its spectacular rear end did not go unnoticed thanks to a single-seat tail from which two exhaust outlets emerged from the bottom. It was clear that Tamburini had designed the new 916 inspired mainly by the style of two previous bikes: the futuristic Honda NR750 and an iconic model from the brand itself, the Ducati Supermono. In any case, the new sports bike from the Italian firm would mark a before and after within the category.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

On the mechanical side they opted to maintain the same recipe as up to that point, although substantially improving the qualities of the well-known V-Twin by Massimo Bordi. The twin-cylinder V at 90º water-cooled and 8 valves in the cylinder head, it managed to increase its displacement to 916 cc thanks to increasing the stroke by 2 mm. With internal dimensions of 94mm x 66mm Ducati declared a final power of 114 hp at 9,000 rpm and 89 Nm of maximum torque at 7,000 rpm, for a maximum speed of 258 km/h.

The chassis was made up of a top-level team, where its multitubular chromolybdenum chassis was the main element. The suspensions were signed by Showa, with a 43 mm inverted fork at the front and an adjustable monoshock working on the rear axle.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Braking was provided by 320 mm discs and four-piston calipers on the front axle, while at the rear a single 220 mm disc and a double-piston caliper were used. The set had a final weight of 191 kg dryA fact that, combined with its compact silhouette and aerodynamic efficiency, made it a truly effective frame in the right hands.

Alan Cathcart He commented about her after their first contact in March 1994: “The 916 is simply the best street bike I have ever ridden, regardless of brand or country of manufacture. But my word may not be enough, so you might as well try it out and judge for yourself.”

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Ducati 916: Launch of the brand and first versions

The arrival of the 916 on the market was a true revolution and represented a mirror in which its rivals would try to look at themselves throughout the following decade. Although its debut was in the Strada version (single-seater), that same year the Italian brand would launch an SP variant on the market, intended to homologate the competition version, with 130 hp of power.

The Biposto variant was also unveiled at the 1994 EICMA, discontinuing the initial version and leaving the SP variant as the only single-seater option in the range for 1995. The 916 Corsa was also shown for the first time, a true customer racer derived directly from the bike with which Fogarty returned the WSBK crown to the Italian brand that same season. In this case, the displacement was increased to 100 kW. 955 ccdeclaring a final power of 155 HP and a maximum weight of 154 kilograms.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Undoubtedly, exclusivity has a price and the Ducati 916’s price, compared to its direct rivals, was not low. To tell the truth, it never had been if we compare its predecessors and contemporary competition. In this case, the entry-level version of the 916 range started from almost 2.4 million of the old pesetaswhile the SP version cost around 400,000 pesetas more. For the aforementioned 916 Corsa, the price tag was estimated to be well over 5 kilos at the time.

The debut of the Ducati 916 brought with it some notable aspects, both of the model itself and what surrounded its launch. For example, the fact that those first examples were painted in Cagiva red, or that they had the Varese firm’s logo printed on the fuel tank cap or the front windshield. It is also noteworthy that the belly pan was riveted to the side fairings, without the possibility of disassembly.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Likewise, the 916 generation of Ducati was fitted with Brembo rims, and it was not until the arrival of the new 996 that Ducati introduced Marchesini rims, at which point Brembo took over the brand (March 2000). On the other hand, the expectation raised by the 916 in those early stages of 1994 even reached the highest echelons of society, including the sporting world.

The well-known Brazilian racing driver, Ayrton Senna, owner until then of a Ducati 851, fell in love at first sight with the beautiful Italian bike, a fact that led to the signing of the contract that would give rise to the first motorcycle manufactured with his name: the Ducati 916 Senna.

We all know what happened on that fateful 1st of May 1994, when Ayrton lost his life during the San Marino Grand Prix. Later, the first series of that special edition would arrive, which would be repeated on two more occasions throughout the commercial life of the Ducati 916.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Ducati 916: Versions and special editions

Over the 5 years that it was on the market, the 916 was presented in different versions and special editions. Each and every one of them was loaded with a special aura, as only Ducati knows how to give to its motorcycles. Among the most important variants that were marketed, we could highlight the following:

  • Ducati 916 Prototype (EICMA 1993)
  • Ducati 916 in its initial single-seater version (Year 1994)
  • Ducati 916 SP (Year 1994)
  • Ducati 916 Senna I (Year 1995)
  • Ducati 916 Biposto (Year 1995)
  • Ducati 916 SPA (Year 1996)
  • Ducati 916 Senna II (Year 1997)
  • Ducati 916 SPS (Year 1997)
  • Ducati 916 Senna III (Year 1998)

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

Ducati 996 and 998: The end of a golden era within the brand

Between 1999 and 2004 Ducati marketed the 996 variant first, and then the 998 after the original 916. The new generation would be presented with three different variants to satisfy the tastes and needs of the brand’s customers: Two-seater, 996S and 996R. All of them equipped with the engine that had been included in the 1997 SPS with the relevant improvements in crankshaft, valves, injection, intake and exhaust.

Some improvements to the chassis, as well as a reduction in weight, made the 996 even lighter, more manageable and more effective. Later, the SPS version was launched, where power was increased to 125 hp, and some significant changes were made to the chassis and front suspension, which was now signed by Ohlins.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

To close this series, the limited edition R was launched on the market, with just 500 units manufactured and in which the mechanical configuration of the next generation was launched, with 998 cc. The new block would have the name known as Testastretta, due to the angle of its valves at 25º. 136 HP of power and 105 NM of maximum torque gave us an idea of ​​its intentions.

Other details of this limited edition include carbon fibre bodywork, improved braking and the addition of a new aluminium subframe. Weight was still the number one enemy of sports bikes of the time, and Ducati is working tirelessly to improve this aspect on its flagship.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

The series would close a year later with the gala presentation of the last commercial name of the model: 998. Once again there would be S and R versions in addition to the standard one. In any case, the differences with the last 996R were minimal and unnecessary, taking into account the level reached by the different variants over the years.

The Ducati 916 today

Both the 916, its younger sister the 748 and any of the later variants in the 996 and 998 versions, have become cult objects for lovers of Old School motorcycles in general and followers of the brand in particular. We are looking at what is probably Ducati’s most iconic motorcycle due to the different factors that range from its design, through to the extensive versions or what it meant inside and outside the Borgo Panigale firm.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

This is why any variant of the 916 is quoted at prices that rarely fall below five figures in any case. In fact, if we find a model below this price range, we are probably facing a bag of problems that, if we come out on top, will mean an even greater outlay.

We must bear in mind that we are talking about units that are, in the best of cases, more than 20 years old. Many of them have also not been properly maintained, with all that this entails.

In any case, if you are into two-wheeled myths, Ducati 916, It is probably one of the best options on the current iconic motorcycle market.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

If we can get our hands on a better one, it should be a 996 or 998, which, in addition to having better performance, also have an even wider range of equipment than the first batches of the model. There are also truly unique special editions, such as the 998 Matrix, the numbered series of 400 Troy Bayliss units or the 155 units that make up the limited edition 998S Ben Bostrom, all of them with the American driver’s hand signature on the tank.

In short, we are looking at a little piece of Ducati history, which undoubtedly changed the direction of the brand towards the idyllic present that it currently enjoys. Perhaps for this reason, the brand has launched the special edition Panigale V4 SP2 30 Anniversario 916, a limited and numbered series of just 500 units, equipped with a decoration created by the Centro Stile Ducati, which pays homage to one of the most beautiful racing graphics in Ducati’s sporting history, that of the bike that won the Superbike World Championship with Carl Fogarty in 1999.

Ducati 916: 30 years of true love

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