Description
Please note: The seller has asked that we re-list the bike with a lowered reserve to help find it a new home!
Additional photos 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 Ohlins 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. Here’s the key: this was the best Ducati you could buy in 1997 – and only 404 were sold that year. 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 of the world-changing 916 here.
This example is VIN: ZDMH100AAVB000120; Engine: ZDM996W4000137. The seller, Scott Billings, sent us all seven of his track bikes as he’s moving out of the country for a number of years to start his retirement. Why did he have seven track bikes you ask? He wanted to participate in a range of classes throughout AHRMA’s various groups (we’re selling his race trailer as well here). He subsequently had the bike converted back to the street by Chris Boy at Moto Corse Performance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
It is number 191.
The odometer shows 7,748 kilometers (4,814 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for this listing the seller had us charge the battery, replace the license plate bulb, change the oil filter and top off the oil. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 1521/1623
Tire % Front/ Rear: 70/70
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 20/20
Brake % Front/ Rear : 50/30
Front hydraulic fluid: OK
Rear Hydraulic Fluid: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid: OK
Oil: OK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: OK
Horn: OK
Fork: OK
Shock/s: OK
Final Drive: OK
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.5
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: N/A
NOTES:
– Charging system not working.
Modifications:
Fast By Ferracci clip ons. Brembo levers and master cylinders.
Marchisini wheels. Brembo front disc rotors. Aftermarket brake lines.
Yoyodyne slave cylinder.
Wrapped mid pipe.
Ducati Performance clutch plates and carbon fiber clutch cover. Aftermarket rear sets.
Ducati Performance carbon fiber headlight housing bucket.
Carbon fiber air intakes.
Samco hose kit.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks with date codes of 1521 and 1623.
The sale includes one key, factory lower fairings (right side broken), belly pan, race fairings painted red (nose, tail, and two sides), and miscellaneous parts (Woodcraft clip ons, race rearsets, multiple master cylinders, SP quick shift lever, Motoholders aluminum race fairing stay, Dynojet Power Commander V, SP electronics quickshifter unit, OEM steering damper, misc. harnesses and custom aluminum pieces.).
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
During a track day, the chain broke while going over 100 m.p.h. and damaged the bottom of the left exhaust canister.
Currently located in Bristol, Rhode Island, this Ducati is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any 916 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
