Ducati 996 SPS - Few Questions

Ok,

I may be better off on a Ducati forum with this, but you guys are pretty knowledgeble and I value your opinions so.....

With any luck, the money from my flat sale should be coming shortly so I'm starting to look at bikes again - woo hoo! I have always loved the 916 design and would like to buy a ~2000 996 SPS and ship it to Australia.

I would like to take a pillion occasionally on the bike but the SPS model comes with a solo seat and no pegs. Does anyone know if I bought pillion pegs and a biposta seat unit, whether it would fit the subframe? I guess the other route to go would be to buy a standard 996 and buy a solo seat, and some trick suspension parts. However, I believe that the sps model has a stronger bottom end and other tweaks so would rather go for that.

Also, does anyone know if the weight and dimensions are the similar to a 748, just a bigger bore??

Thanks
Luke

Some very knowledgeable peopleon this site Luke, maybe worth you having a wander over there...

www.speedzilla.com

I would doubt very much whether the SPS could be transformed to a two up bike easilly and cheaply tbh. Remember they had a series of different and lighter frames fitted. My personal opinion is that if taking a passenger is a consideration at all then the SPS is not for you as you are completely missing what the model was aiming to provide.

916's etc will provide basic spec that is by no means shabby and only riding close to the edge would allow you to decide that you really do need the top drawer forks etc. Trust me on that. Plus you get the easier option to swap to take a passenger.

The 748 should definitely not be ruled out as in the real world many found them to be not only more practical but also much more enjoyable to ride. Yes you find yourself using the gear box more to keep the motor spinning, but the handling and performance are razor sharp.

I bought my 749s instead of the 999 when most of my riding is done in the company of litre riding pals, none of which are dawdlers! Only was it on long,long straights that I might have hoped for a little more. Anything with curves and me and the 749 were right there with them.

Good luck in your research and keep us all posted when a final decision has been made.

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Ok,
I would like to take a pillion occasionally on the bike but the SPS model comes with a solo seat and no pegs. Does anyone know if I bought pillion pegs and a biposta seat unit, whether it would fit the subframe?

You'll need to buy the Biposta subframe also.

[Biker Biggles]

Wont it be expensive to ship a bike out there?Or are there none to be had locally?If that is the case do I sniff a money making export opportunity here?

Originally Posted by Pedrosa

I would doubt very much whether the SPS could be transformed to a two up bike easilly and cheaply tbh. Remember they had a series of different and lighter frames fitted. My personal opinion is that if taking a passenger is a consideration at all then the SPS is not for you as you are completely missing what the model was aiming to provide.

The 748 should definitely not be ruled out as in the real world many found them to be not only more practical but also much more enjoyable to ride. Yes you find yourself using the gear box more to keep the motor spinning, but the handling and performance are razor sharp.

Good luck in your research and keep us all posted when a final decision has been made.

PH, believe me, my first and foremost use for the bike, is on the track! For the extra money, the idea of top drawer suspension is very appealing. I do like the idea of getting out of town once in a while with my gf, but that is way down the list of priorities. I have done a bit of fishing about and so far, the parts needed are subframe, biposta seat and pegs. Not a huge amount, but still. Like I said before, it may be a better idea to look at standard BP 996's (there are a lot more to chose from) and spend the difference buying some higher spec suspension and a mono-seat. Cost-wise, it would work out about the same and probably give me more options. However, i'm sure even you can see the attraction of buying the SPS Just seems that little bit more special.

I have also been looking at 748's as well, but since my last bike was an 06 R6, I'm not to keen on a reduction on HP, especially since my local track is a fast circuit with a massive start/finish.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Wont it be expensive to ship a bike out there?Or are there none to be had locally?If that is the case do I sniff a money making export opportunity here?

It's about 800 pounds to ship a bike. With most bikes, it isn't financially viable (the cost of the bike + shipping and reg works out to be the same as buying a bike here) However, 2nd Ducati sportsbikes are an exception. Most standard 996's I have seen here are priced around the $17000+ AUD mark which is about 7500+ in pounds! Plus there is a lot less to choose from. SPS models are around the $20000+ mark (9000+ pounds)

[fizzwheel]

Can't help with specifics, but Liz is a member of this site www.ducatisti.co.uk and the guys on there are really know their stuff.

Try asking these guys:

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/index.php

The site is full of Ducati owners who actually ride their bikes.

Luke.......I would never try to talk out anyone from buying any all singing and dancing Ducati model! Go on son!

After your further post I can understand more your overall thinking.

Thanks for all the responses. Plus for the curious, here are some classifieds for some 996 for sale here:

http://www.autotrader.com.au/compare...Motor%20Bikes_

$21,750 for a low km standard 996! That's about 9,500 pounds in real money.

Blimey..just sold a 996SPS with 3,000 on the clock for £6895!!!.

Having ridden both id go with the 996. Its slightly bigger and the power gain over the 748 is deffo worth the hassle of shipping it over.