Buying a 916

[sv182]

Hey all! Hope everyone is well.

Its no secret that I have always wanted a Ducati 916. Have done since they were launched and I was merely knee high to a grass hopper.

Instead of buying one that is in mint condition (as they rightly should be) I was hoping to perhaps find on that needs some TLC to get it back to where it belongs; the roads. It would also serve as a great project for me as well as a learning experience.

I've had a look around at the usual places like biketrader and eBay but so far I have found nothing. I have also looked at some of the 'damaged repairable' websites and again, nothing.

So, am I looking for something that can more or less not be found? I am happy to travel a bit to get what I want but within reason. I am based in NW Kent.

If anyone has any suggestions or tips then I would love to hear them! :)

Oh, and the SV will not be going anywhere for the foreseeable future so I am not leaving the wonderful world of the SV crew just yet. When I do, I hope that you will still have me.

All the best

[fizzwheel]

if you havent have a look on here

www.ducatisti.co.uk

You might find something in the for sale section on there and there will be loads of advice about what your getting into.

[sv182]

Nice one fizz!! Looking now. Many thanks.

[ThEGr33k]

Id not get one Dmg'd, the cost of parts would be pretty crippling! :(

You can get 916's in decent condition now for cheap. Well like £3000-£4000.

[sv182]

I here what you are saying ThEGr33k, but I'm not going to dive in at the deep end so to speak. A lot would hinge on exactly the damage was.

£3000-£4000 is about what I have seen as well, but they have all been well over 150 miles away from me as the crow flies.

[ThEGr33k]

Ahhh. Just dont rush, can take time to find the right bike. :) Im sure somthing will come along :D

[sv182]

Aye, certainly no rush. Been looking since just before Christmas and have not even come across one that I have even gone to look at.

Santa, if you are listening........ lol

[Paws]

Try this guy: http://www.cooperbmotorcycles.co.uk/22462/coop-stock.htm

Local dealer to me, he usually has/can get ducatis in stock, if hes not got anything in, drop him a email, hes a top guy and will keep an eye out for one for you

[SantaClaus]

Santa, if you are listening........ lol
lalalala *fingers in ears*

[Mr Speirs]

Instead of buying one that is in mint condition (as they rightly should be) I was hoping to perhaps find on that needs some TLC to get it back to where it belongs; the roads. It would also serve as a great project for me as well as a learning experience.


With all due respect seriously consider what you are saying here.

A Ducati which has not been looked after will invariably have no service historythis can lead to a massive long host of issues as Ducatis are highly tuned delicate machines that need care and attention.

One that hasn't been looked after will cost you the earth to put back to its former glory. I major service you would be looking at £600 and that's assuming nothing needs repairing. Rockers are the most delicate things inside a Ducati engine and getting one that hasn't been looked after would almost certainly need some of these replacing. At £120 per rocker and there being 16 inside the engine it becomes expensive. Belts would need doing about £150. Then there is the chain and sprockets, I believe you need the sprocket carrier with the 916 too.

So as you can see there is alot going against you when decide buy a 916 that way.

I would recommend spending more on an absolutely mint 916 as it would represent much better value for money as you know it has been looked after.

What Im trying to get at here is that a FSH is a must on any Ducati and ones that has been neglected need the money that the previous owner should have spent on it, only it'll be your money.

PeteVTwin knows ALOT more than me about the 916/996 series and im sure he'll be a long to add more words of advice.

[Thingus]

I think there was one at Wylie and Hollands in Telford last week, i think it was just dirty and i wouldn't say it was a project. £3k i think.

[fizzwheel]

I agree with Mr Spiers, the niggles Liz had with her 749S were caused by the fact that it had been sat festering in a dealership for 9 months before she bought it. I'd be inclined to buy a bike that had been used regularly and not left stood festering in somebodies garage / recovery yard etc etc

[petevtwin650]

PeteVTwin knows ALOT more than me about the 916/996 series and im sure he'll be a long to add more words of advice.

Don't know about that Mr Speirs=;

First thing is to decide how much you want to spend and whether you want or need a mono or bi-posto.

As Chris and Fizz said a regularly used one is more than likely a better buy than a rarely ridden example. We were lucky by all accounts with our 996 as it had stood for virtually 2 years.

Do you want a 916 or would the later 996 do? Mine has better electrics, suspension and wheels although a 916 could well be modded to that standard or above.

916s do carry a pemium as they are the bike everybody wanted in the early 90s.

There have been quite a few on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270360517649

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160329714889

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250414358344

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=330326434896

Also I suggest you join Ducatisti and they'll be able to give you better info than I could.

[SVTristan]

my dads got a 916, had it since the first day it arrived in the states. one of the first in the country and loves it. I cant wait till he croaks so I inherit it :D

[petevtwin650]

Possibility?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-916BP-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ320369847149QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Motorcycles?hash=item320369847149&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0 |293%3A3|294%3A50

[sv182]

With all due respect seriously consider what you are saying here.

A Ducati which has not been looked after will invariably have no service historythis can lead to a massive long host of issues as Ducatis are highly tuned delicate machines that need care and attention.

One that hasn't been looked after will cost you the earth to put back to its former glory. I major service you would be looking at £600 and that's assuming nothing needs repairing. Rockers are the most delicate things inside a Ducati engine and getting one that hasn't been looked after would almost certainly need some of these replacing. At £120 per rocker and there being 16 inside the engine it becomes expensive. Belts would need doing about £150. Then there is the chain and sprockets, I believe you need the sprocket carrier with the 916 too.

So as you can see there is alot going against you when decide buy a 916 that way.

I would recommend spending more on an absolutely mint 916 as it would represent much better value for money as you know it has been looked after.

What Im trying to get at here is that a FSH is a must on any Ducati and ones that has been neglected need the money that the previous owner should have spent on it, only it'll be your money.

PeteVTwin knows ALOT more than me about the 916/996 series and im sure he'll be a long to add more words of advice.

That is the exact reason why I created this thread as it is this sort of thing I need to hear, so thank you very much for taking the time on such a lengthly reply. It is very much appreciated :) As are the other replies of course.

petevtwin650 - Unfortunately the latest one you have linked to is well over 200 miles away from me so getting a look at it would be tricky. Not to mention getting it home. Oddly, its not coming up in my searches I'm doing on more or less a daily basis.

Do you want a 916 or would the later 996 do? Mine has better electrics, suspension and wheels although a 916 could well be modded to that standard or above.

I will give this some thought, but the childhood dream is for the 916, but saying that there is potential for a 1999 748 Biposto going for silly money. However, after a very important lesson from Mr Speirs I will be looking very hard over the Service History before diving in.

Thanks again for everyones input and please add anything else that I might need to know :)

[Ginger 1]

Hey all! Hope everyone is well.

Its no secret that I have always wanted a Ducati 916. Have done since they were launched and I was merely knee high to a grass hopper.

Instead of buying one that is in mint condition (as they rightly should be) I was hoping to perhaps find on that needs some TLC to get it back to where it belongs; the roads. It would also serve as a great project for me as well as a learning experience.

I've had a look around at the usual places like biketrader and eBay but so far I have found nothing. I have also looked at some of the 'damaged repairable' websites and again, nothing.

So, am I looking for something that can more or less not be found? I am happy to travel a bit to get what I want but within reason. I am based in NW Kent.

If anyone has any suggestions or tips then I would love to hear them! :)

Oh, and the SV will not be going anywhere for the foreseeable future so I am not leaving the wonderful world of the SV crew just yet. When I do, I hope that you will still have me.

All the best

My flat mate has a 748 on a S and only wants £1999 for it. A absolute bargin (Worth at least £2500 but he is tradeing it in at the weekend for £1999), needs new speedo cable and seems to be blowing dipped headlight (dont often hear of a duke with dodgy wiring eh? :p ) If you interested give me a shout.

[sv182]

My flat mate has a 748 on a S and only wants £1999 for it. A absolute bargin (Worth at least £2500 but he is tradeing it in at the weekend for £1999), needs new speedo cable and seems to be blowing dipped headlight (dont often hear of a duke with dodgy wiring eh? :p ) If you interested give me a shout.

Where abouts are you based matey?

No clues as to why that dipped headlight keeps going then I take it? :)

[Mr Speirs]

Could be the headlight relay.

[Lissa]

We test rode a 748 before buying the 996, and to be honest were very disappointed with it. It didn't seem to be much more powerful than the SV. You also have to rev the 748 a lot more than you would the 916 and the 996, which would worry us, especially with the rocker issues.

[sv182]

We test rode a 748 before buying the 996, and to be honest were very disappointed with it. It didn't seem to be much more powerful than the SV. You also have to rev the 748 a lot more than you would the 916 and the 996, which would worry us, especially with the rocker issues.

Well, the 748 that is on the cards I might be lucky enough to get a test ride on it, but only time will tell. I'm expecting another call from the dealer today with more information on it.

There does seem to be a lot more 996's on the market at the moment so I am giving them some serious consideration as well.

:)

[fizzwheel]

If I was buying that generation Duke. I'd be getting a 996 or a 998

[sv182]

As it happens, I think I might have a good option on a 996 as I have been making myself broaden my search a bit. Just have to try and fit in a visit to go look at it this weekend.

[Ginger 1]

Where abouts are you based matey?

No clues as to why that dipped headlight keeps going then I take it? :)
Its in sidcup london/ kent borders but I spoke to him last night and he wants to chop it in tomorrow so if you interested pm and i see what I can do.

[sv182]

Ginger 1 - You have mail my friend! :)

[sv182]

Right, this is the details on the 748 I mentioned early:

1998 S reg with a little over 25,000 on the clock.
Termignoni pipes + chip
SP Seat conversion complete with orginal pillon seat
Ducati stand
"More or less full Ducati stamped service history"
Very recently serviced INCLUDING Belts
Alarmed (2 key fobes)
1 Key
Original paperwork (Owners manual etc)
1 years MOT
Sold as seen through a Yamaha dealer
Was originally Yellow. Tank needs re-spraying as you can see the yellow coming through
£2400
The plan is to view it on Saturday morning and I'm taking the old man with me to give a slightly more impartial opinion of it. On the face of it, sounds like an excellent deal.

Your thoughts peeps would be very much appreciated.

[ThEGr33k]

Right, this is the details on the 748 I mentioned early:

1998 S reg with a little over 25,000 on the clock.
Termignoni pipes + chip
SP Seat conversion complete with orginal pillon seat
Ducati stand
"More or less full Ducati stamped service history"
Very recently serviced INCLUDING Belts
Alarmed (2 key fobes)
1 Key
Original paperwork (Owners manual etc)
1 years MOT
Sold as seen through a Yamaha dealer
Was originally Yellow. Tank needs re-spraying as you can see the yellow coming through
£2400
The plan is to view it on Saturday morning and I'm taking the old man with me to give a slightly more impartial opinion of it. On the face of it, sounds like an excellent deal.

Your thoughts peeps would be very much appreciated.

No way!!! That is way too much for a very old bike. Mate id stear clear of that. Sold as seen as well, so when the belts go ping because they didnt really do the belts Oh dear, world of pain. The high milage (for a Duc) wont help it either. :rolleyes:

Hold on id say.

[fizzwheel]

Your thoughts peeps would be very much appreciated.

Well its got service history and a recent belt change ( how recent do you know ? )

I'd want to know what more or less full Ducati dealer service history actually meant though.

Why was it resprayed ?

Was it a track bike or has it been dropped then the plastic cobbled together from different bikes ?

Personally go and look at it, but I'd probably not want to buy it I'd keep looking as I would want something that wasnt in need of a respray TBH...

I still think a later 996 / 998 would be a better buy. You've got a bit more power and also the electrics are much improved on the later bikes.

But.. go and ask the people that know, pop a post up onto the Ducatisti forum I linked to, they'll be the right people to ask TBH.

What ever you do. Dont rush into buying it.

[Lissa]

Personally, I'd look elsewhere. That's a lot of money for an old 748 with that mileage.
Have you checked the classified ads on Ducatisti? This is much better and not that much more money.

http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/classified/showproduct.php/product/2066/cat/23

[Mr Speirs]

Resprayed, More or less service history, 25,000 miles, sold as seen. Not floating my boat, and nor it should yours. The only good thing about this bike is that it was once yellow :)

As Lissa says there are much better value bike out there.

[Biker Biggles]

Ebay 270388671629
Looks like a genuine bike and is the S model with the mag wheels but standard engine for reliability.Theres a phone number on the listing so you can check the details and go view it.£2800 is probably about the going rate for it if its as described,but with the current economic crisis Id pitch in lower????

[Lissa]

Ebay 270388671629
Looks like a genuine bike and is the S model with the mag wheels but standard engine for reliability.Theres a phone number on the listing so you can check the details and go view it.£2800 is probably about the going rate for it if its as described,but with the current economic crisis Id pitch in lower????

Can't argue with that one, BB
:D

[sv182]

Thank you for the feedback peeps. I've been mulling it over in my head since I posted the details and I'm now not to so sure the excellent deal bit I said.

To answer a few questions;

'more or less full service history' - just what was said over the phone. I have every intension of looking at this myself in some depth.
It is being sold as seen as the Yamaha dealers that p/x'ed it are not allowed to give Used Bike Warrenty on it. Any other machine, then it would not be sold as seen.
Belts done 1000 miles ago, yet to find out the date.
Still need to find out about the respray reason.
The exact same post is on ducatisti as well and thus far only one reply so plenty of time to get feedback on it. Regardless though, I do hear the calls for don't rush into anything and I will not be. It is NOT the machine I set out to get so I will not be doing anything hasty.

Thank you all very much though for taking the time to jot down your thoughts. It has been very helpful and much appreciated.

Oh and the link to the eBay on. A bit fair to be fair (getting it home) and also not the right colour. Yeah, very picky I know, but honest none the less.

:)

[sv182]

Oh and Ginger 1, check you pm inbox matey. Got a follow up question for you that I would very much appreciate an answer on :)

[Lissa]

Oh and the link to the eBay on. A bit fair to be fair (getting it home) and also not the right colour. Yeah, very picky I know, but honest none the less.

:)

But the fastest colour :p

The first desmo's were yellow, you know, the red ones are the Johhny-come-latelies!;)

I'm posting here rather than on Ducatisti, cos I spend far more time here. I think you'll find most will advise against it without a full service history, but having said that, we took a chance with ours and when we had the full service done the guy actually said we'd bought a bike that had obviously had a very easy life.

Sometimes it pays to take a chance, but I really would wonder about the one you've looked at. The re-sprayed tank would bother me a lot.

[ThEGr33k]

It is being sold as seen as the Yamaha dealers that p/x'ed it are not allowed to give Used Bike Warrenty on it. Any other machine, then it would not be sold as seen.



That sounds a lot suspect to be honest mate!!!! I mean why not? Its not like a Ducati has some strange new engine that is so different to a Yam motor that the mechanics couldn't work on it.

I wouldn't even entertain it tbh!

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah thats b0llocks. If they've gone to that amount of effort to say sold as seen, how long until you notice the sawdust in the engine or the kitchen roll under the dust seals?

[sv182]

I hear what you Gents are saying about the sold as seen it bit. I will be bearing that in mind for sure.

The logical mind in me thinks it could be down to various Terms and Conditions as I've had to do a similar thing in the past.

Changes nothing though. Will look at the bike and go from there. My mind is starting to tell me 996 anyway so its already up against that.

[yorkie_chris]

Well it's gonna be unreliable and cost you a fortune, so it might as well be quicker than a GSXR750... (a bit.. :-P)

[Ginger 1]

I hear what you Gents are saying about the sold as seen it bit. I will be bearing that in mind for sure.

The logical mind in me thinks it could be down to various Terms and Conditions as I've had to do a similar thing in the past.

Changes nothing though. Will look at the bike and go from there. My mind is starting to tell me 996 anyway so its already up against that.

Ok as you know its my flat mates old bike. so its not new but its not that bad either, It was dropped from the stand about 2 years ago with minor damage but as the owner took the oppertunity to get red single seat and he had it resprayed in ducati red (Unfortunatly spilt some fuel on the way back from the shop just after paint job and some of the paint peeled)

Basically within the last 3 months the rectifier,went it sprung a minor oil leak from the oil pressure switch and the electrics went tits up ( head light blew and brake lights became temperamental) had it all repaired in the shop (Rosso corse in bethnal green)and got new tyres. The oil leak and belts were done 2 weeks ago but then the speedo cable went so he decided to call it a day and get a new R6.

All in all its a old bike but has no major dings has been looked after and has no other engine problems

But I can beat it on my 750 SRAD ;)

[Ginger 1]

That sounds a lot suspect to be honest mate!!!! I mean why not? Its not like a Ducati has some strange new engine that is so different to a Yam motor that the mechanics couldn't work on it.

I wouldn't even entertain it tbh!

most places dont touch the Ducati's as they need special tools and are a bit more "Temperamental" then other bikes if its not 100% bang on

[yorkie_chris]

It could be the warranties are underwritten by a chain or maybe even an insurer. I don't have any idea how it works.

But, if you're buying from a dealer "sold as seen" then you might as well go private.

[sv182]

Ok as you know its my flat mates old bike. so its not new but its not that bad either, It was dropped from the stand about 2 years ago with minor damage but as the owner took the oppertunity to get red single seat and he had it resprayed in ducati red (Unfortunatly spilt some fuel on the way back from the shop just after paint job and some of the paint peeled)

Basically within the last 3 months the rectifier,went it sprung a minor oil leak from the oil pressure switch and the electrics went tits up ( head light blew and brake lights became temperamental) had it all repaired in the shop (Rosso corse in bethnal green)and got new tyres. The oil leak and belts were done 2 weeks ago but then the speedo cable went so he decided to call it a day and get a new R6.

All in all its a old bike but has no major dings has been looked after and has no other engine problems

But I can beat it on my 750 SRAD ;)

Hey man, thanks for noting those bits down for me. Further food for thought isn't a bad thing.

I'm really starting to not want this machine I must say. As it is not what I set out to get (once I had written off the idea of putting a damaged one back on the roads) it will need an amazing deal from the dealers to get me to buy it.

Just wish I had time this weekend to get to the Potters Bar dealers and have a look at that 996.

[Biker Biggles]

Is that Red Dog in Potters Bar?
Its worth a visit there if only to see the outrageous specials decorating the shop.He has that 48 cylinder Kawasaki there for starters and a nine cylinder version too.

[Dicky Ticker]

Is it compulsory to have long arms when you buy Duke?

[sv182]

Update - I've ridden the 748 that was up for £2400 but I knew had been p/x'd for £1500. It rode ok and massively different to my SV650s (as to be expected of course). I gave it a big look over as did the old man and its back in the dealers where it will stay. Figured about £2k+ of work needed.

Now just need to go and find the time to look at that 996 in Potters Bar and have a look for a S one as well as its worth a thought for sure.

Thanks again to all for the advise on the 748 :)

[fizzwheel]

I think your being sensible no point rushing into buying a potential lemon IMHO.

Just keep looking you will find something that floats your boat :cool: