Description
7/3 Update: Thank you to the keen-eyed commenter who noticed the different rotors in the album! After taking our test ride, we found that several of the rotor bolts had come loose. Accordingly, we installed new brake discs — the bike comes with one set of wheels and they are as pictured in the body of listing. We apologize for any confusion!
Additional photos of this Ducati 916 SPS are available here for your perusal.
A limited edition of one of the prettiest motorcycles ever made, the Ducati 916SPS (Sport Production Special) was an uprated version that featured a modified engine and chassis. Nearly all the specifications were improved like Öhlins rear shocks and Showa front forks, as it was designed to be the ultimate 916.
Released to homologate the new 996cc engine for Superbike competition, the 916SPS introduced reinforced crankcases, new barrels and heads, and a 11.5:1 compression ratio. The SPS struggled to go slow – media all over the country said their test bikes stalled at idle. The transmission became a close-ratio unit, and plenty of other extras added up to a bike that was expensive (an MSRP of $24,000 back when it was new), though well-worth it, according to reviewers.
The carbon fiber Termi exhaust (included separately with the SPS for “off-road use only”) sounded like nothing else people had heard at the time, and reviewers were terrified of the power delivery. This was the best Ducati you could buy at the time.
The best part of the whole story? The SPS was only road legal in Europe. Ducati didn’t conform to EPA regulations, so they sold it as a ‘track-only’ bike and made buyers sign a waiver saying that you wouldn’t register it for road use. As you might imagine, pretty much everyone ignored the waiver, as the bike came with a VIN, lights, a title, and everything needed to register the bike. Want to learn more? Check out this excellent two-part article from Odd Bike about the special editions (particularly the SPS) of the world-changing 916.
This example is VIN: ZDMH100AAVB000986, Engine #: ZDM996W400176. It came to Iconic as an import from South Africa. Please note: It is our understanding that this 916 SPS was partially restored by its previous owner in South Africa — we believe the color of the frame is slightly off of the OEM color. It’s close but not perfect. We had our powder coater do his best to match the existing color.
It is #0473.
The odometer shows 5,222 kilometers (3,244 miles).
Maintenance
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us replace the battery, change the oil and oil filter, flush the coolant and brake fluid, replace the timing belts, change the air filter, and rebuild the fuel pump unit with a new flange, pump and filter, and quick connectors. We also replaced the spark plugs, replaced the charging regulator, replaced the generator, replaced the cooling pipe o-ring, and replaced the coolant expansion tank.
We replaced the neutral switch, the rear turn signals, the flasher relay, the starter relay, the spark plug high-tension lead, and the shifter pedal, as well as the Dzus fasteners, the starter motor, the front brake rotors and wheel bearings, the cush drives, the plate light, the chain, the heim joints, and the seat brackets, pins, and hardware.
Finally, we synced the throttle bodies, had Brian of BKM Creations refinish the 916 SPS decals, powder-coated the wheels, and installed new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires with date codes of 1922 and 2122.
Modifications:
Tail tidy with trimmed license plate bracket. Please note: Iconic Motorbikes is happy to help the buyer source a replacement.
Aftermarket rotors, brake lines.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes two keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any 916 SPS stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
