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1990 marked the beginning of Ducati’s supremacy in World Superbike, with the Bologna-based firm taking home the title in ’90, ’91, ’92, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, and ’99. Ducati’s superbikes from this era cemented the brand’s reputation as a purveyor of world-class race machinery with a series of ever-evolving models. But in 2000, with Colin Edwards at the helm, (Castrol) Honda managed to unseat the Italian manufacturer. In a bid to regain their stranglehold on the series, Ducati went back to the drawing board to design a new and improved iteration of the 996. To help improve the Bordi-designed engine, Ducati brought on Angiolino Marchetti, an ex-Ferrari engineer who helped design the V-12 Formula One desmo engine prototype in the late ‘80s. Marchetti came through for the company, ultimately designing the firm’s first Testastretta (narrow) head, which allowed bore to be increased by 2mm to 100mm while the stroke was shortened to 63.5mm, yielding more power.
The result was a liquid-cooled, 998cc, four-stroke, 8V, DOHC, 90-degree desmo L-Twin with titanium rods and specially-designed cams, Weber Marelli injection, six-speed transmission with a hydraulically-activated dry clutch, and sand-cast crankcases just like on the factory race bikes. The 998cc Testastretta motor generated 135 hp at 10,200 rpm and 77.5 ft-lbs of torque at 8,000 rpm. With a dry weight just north of 400 lbs, those figures translated to a top speed of approximately 175 mph, and a standing quarter-mile time of 10.1 seconds.
With its eyes on recapturing the WSBK crown, Ducati released a new homologation special version of its flagship superbike, known as the 996R. In order to campaign the Testastretta-engined model in the World Superbike Championship, Ducati was required to turn out 500 units of the up-specced two-wheeler. Ducati made 350 of the specimens available to private customers at a price of 26,000 euros, while the remaining 150 units were earmarked for “special allocation” – niche markets, privateers, and factory-backed race efforts. Despite the significant MSRP, every example was spoken for within six hours of its release.
The successor to the 996SPS, the 996R was only produced for a single year: 2001. The R-spec differed from the base model in a number of key areas. The 996R featured 43mm inverted TiN-treated Ohlins forks and a mono-shock, both adjustable for compression and rebound damping. Ohlins also supplied an adjustable steering damper. Stopping duties went to Brembo hardware; dual 320mm discs clamped down on by quad-piston calipers, supplemented by a single 220mm disc bit by a dual-piston caliper in back. The 17-inch five-arm lightweight alloy wheels came courtesy of Marchesini, and were the exact units used on Ducati’s WSBK racers.
Other changes found on the upgraded model consisted of a lightweight race battery, thicker 12mm engine mounts and thicker frame tubes for overall increased rigidity, and a dual-can GP-style under-seat carbon fiber muffler setup from Termignoni as standard. The base model’s injection-molded plastics were also replaced by full carbon fiber bodywork throughout, including unpainted carbon fenders.
All of Ducati’s efforts quickly paid off, and in the 996R’s inaugural season in 2001, Troy Bayliss would pilot the R-spec to a WSBK Championship title. The 996R was the closest thing to a genuine factory Ducati racer that money could buy. Brimming with race-grade componentry and adorned in Massimo Tamburini’s legendary bodywork design (in carbon fiber!), the 996R is a prime example of the type of machine that gave Ducati its reputation for exotic and exclusive race-bred machinery.
This example is VIN: ZDMH200AA1B014302, Engine #: ZDM998W4B000564.
The odometer shows 710 miles.
The seller is the original owner, he purchased it new from Pro Twins in Surrey England on August 24th, 2001 and imported it to the US a month later. The “bike has never been tracked. Simply added to collection and has only been rode for 710 miles.”
He adds, this “is one of 150 bikes produced as a racing homologation special, with 350 other examples sold with individual numbered plaques. These non-plaqued bikes were built to meet Superbike racing regulations and were not intended for public sale in the same way as the plaque-equipped versions.”
Maintenance:
The bike had an oil change and new battery installed in September of 2025. The seller states that there are no known mechanical issues but it is on the original belts.
Modifications:
Termignoni carbon fiber mufflers with race ECU installed (originals included).
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on the original Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa tires with date codes of 4900 and 1801.
The sale includes two keys, the Workshop Manual, Ducati Owner’s Group Booklet, tool kit, copy of the spare parts catalog, multiple delivery books, and the original mufflers/ECU .
The sale also includes a race front fairing/tail, a Pit Bull rear stand, and a Ducati stand.
Lastly, the sale includes part of the shipping crate from when the bike was originally ordered.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
The seller poitns out two blemishes labeled “A” and “B” in the photos below:
Currently located in Frankfort, Kentucky, this Ducati is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any 996R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
