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 (particularly the SPS) of the world-changing 916.
This example is VIN: ZDM1SB8S7WB013569. The seller acquired it from a private seller in Massachusetts.
During their ownership, the seller has covered 1,000 miles. The odometer shows 16,456 miles.
Maintenance:
In August 2025 Iconic performed maintenance work on the bike. We changed the timing belts, fitted new air filters, spark plugs, oil filter and oil (15W50), flushed the coolant, fitted new brake pads front and rear, rebuilt the forks with new fork seals and fork oil (5W), fitted new tires, replaced the upper and lower chain sliders, fitted a new radiator fan control sensor, fitted a new starter clutch sprag, replaced the neutral switch, fitted a new rectifier regulator, and a new battery.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. We performed a hydraulic flush on all three master cylinders. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: Moderate (0.15V>0.29V)
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New (<1.5% of moisture contamination)
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New (<1.5% of moisture contamination)
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New (<1.5% of moisture contamination)
Final Drive Condition: Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok (Fast Blink)
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 95+%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 95+%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok (Bumpstop slightly cracked)
Tire Date Code Front: 14/24
Tire Date Code Rear: 18/24
Tire % Remaining Front: 90+%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90+%
Tire Press. Front: 34 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 36 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.20V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.6V
Running Condition: Runs Well on Bench, Runs Well on Test Ride
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 2 Miles
Notes:
-Small scratches present in front and rear wheel
-Small scratches on fairings and light cracks
-Recently completed Major Services.
Modifications:
SPS bodywork.
Braided brake lines.
Corbin seat.
Aftermarket gas cap.
Gauges.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Rosso IV tires with date codes of 1424 and 1824.
The sale includes one ignition key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: The seller states: “Slight fairing damages, wheel blemishes.” Please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, CA, this Ducati is offered on a clean New York title.
Have any 916 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
