Here we have the first ride on my beautiful Ducati 916 SPS. Thank you SO much for the support in the recent videos on this bike, means a lot! Shoutout to Ben at Cult Motorcycle for the wheels www.cultmotorc... p2t.uk/
Utterly amazing my friend. So good to hear you laughing and living it up! Seriously , make me laugh. Had my SP 1 out other day , same feeling. So cool and engaging. Great buy , good eye , you totally earn it . Talk soon ! Pawlak
I've a 95 ZXR750 in green; I found her as a wreck, she's now been totally rebuilt to the last screw. I'm 70 next month and my Ninja gives me that same feeling, every time I take her out, which is on Sunny Sundays out here in Brazil.
@@BaronVonGrumbleHi Chris, thanks for revitalising an awesome classic. Fun to listen to your ramblings too. Don't undervalue your industry knowledge and insight on bike restoration. Making a welcome contrast to the sh#t state of the world we live in. PS Traffic Division Police were abolished by ACPO as not a priority given reduced funding from HM Treasury. So no traffic specialists to set an example, educate or enforce the law. Cameras...
Forget about "not taking it above 12.000 miles" ! You have to keep this bike for the rest of your life or you will never forgive yourself! And if you keep it anyway, you don't have to worry about how many miles it has.. just ride it as much as your heart desire!
Exactly, setting yourself a limit like that would totally ruin any enjoyment of the bike and make it feel like it's not really yours. While not nearly as collectible, I track my 998. If i flip it into a wall one day, I may not be able to replace it, but either way nothing is forever - so at least that'll be a much better story than parking it in my living room for 20 years.
Also agree, ride it and enjoy it, just look after it and sod the 12,000mile thing, it's yours for a reason, dont give away that good luck that came your way when you found this bike.
Did 200.000 km with my 2002 998. Trips from Netherlands to Japan and through Africa. Heavily modified for luggage and improved cooling in hot countries and dust. It has always been my dream bike and I lived it through and through. Still in love with it and will never sell it.. just puts a smile on my face every mile I ride.. very reliable engine, brilliant chassis and even having a blast on dirtroads. Not a garage queen or the most pretty one maybe, but for me a beauty. I even can't get used to a look without luggage racks on my bike anymore 🤣
Saw you on petrolicious i think. Did Ducati ever offer you a deal on parts or comp? If not they should, you are a great ambassador for the brand. I commute a 100km daily on my 916 and I bloddy well think they ought to chip in on the service cost 🙂
@@RENIELTUBE Yes Petrolicious made that video indeed. Via a befriended dealership I was offered the engine overhaul parts once at the factory against buy-in price, instead of retail price. At time still learning I did the overhaul myself but the dealer assisted me for free with help when needed. The factory didn't sponsor the parts. Sponsoring generally didn't fit me much, too little time. When e.g. I was offered sponsored clothing the I needed to take a day too with foto shoot and so. Which I understand, but just didn' t fit at the time and would not be the clothing I would choose. I was sponsored chains by Tsubaki and some tires. Commuting I did also for years and recognize what you say with the maintenance cost. If you can valve adjust yourself and are smart in how you do that it saves a bit and makes it reliable. But still till today I absolutely adore my bike and still use it. A lot less now but I still use it. Still have a soft spot for a 1098r or another Ducati alongside, but money and time wil tell;) Really great to hear you daily your 916, it still remains unbeatable in character, charm and driver experience.
It's Bostrom, Corser, Fogarty and Hodgson ripping around Mugello with that glorious noise. To the ones of us in our late 40s and early 50s this is what we think of when we hear Superbike. It's the poster on the bedroom wall of our long lost youth.
I'm in NZ and have a 97 916 SPS, no# 105, in almost identical condition to yours. Like most of them, it sits inside my lounge next to an F4 750S and a 1090 RR Brutale, so I have Tamburini's top 3 masterpieces. I do ride them occasionally for short distances, but like you, I am shit scared of dropping them. Unlike the F4 and the Brutale, riding the SPS is a full-on totally immersive experience.
Lol, my old mate had his in his barn conversion right in a giant window. His wife wasn't too impressed, but it looked great, in my opinion. Looked fast while standing still.
I’ve been an old analogue carbureted Ferrari dude for years but just snapped up a 95 Ducati 900ss because of people like you sir. You and others like you are spot on accurate about this era of Ducati bikes, just awesome.
@@Selmerpilot Ah cool. I forgot about the saxes. I have one too. Not a vintage one like yours though. A Selmer Bundy II. I came by it about 25 years ago. I meant to learn to play it but the octave thingy on it is damaged and I never got around to getting it fixed.
I had a neighbour at that time with a 748 too, but he must've had some aftermarket exhaust. The sound was pure ear porn! I(!) was so so sad when he sold it. :D
I had the perfect timing to find this Ducati 916 SPS build. Found it today and watched it in full length. I also had the perfect timing with the upload of the ride.
Every ride - “this’ll be a gentle ride…”😂😂 seriously beautiful & remember seeing a 996 from the school bus in 1997 & thinking “I want one of those”. Living the dream Chris!👌🏻
I liked the not editing out the old fella who looked at your bike at the start. The bike is great, I am not a Ducati lover but the 916 era looks great.
Imagine being born in an era before this existed. All the thousands of years you could have been born. But no you just happened to be alive and well right now when the 916 exists. That's God's gift to you.
My mate and I went to Assen on ours in 2005 to watch the WSBK (748bp for me and 916sps for him), no sat navs or waterproofs, we just got off the boat at Rotterdam started following people and hoped it didnt rain.
For me, growing up in the nineties, that is one of those childhood dream bikes. You’ve got it looking fantastic! 🙌 Seriously great series Chris! Ps. Agreed. Underboob def #1👌
I absolutely love that you kept the interaction with the old bloke in. I used to get those reactions all the time with the RS125, and I get them now with my old 99 WRX lol. Really love the genuine reactions from people that get it and appreciate it the same. Its something not enough people think about, the enjoyment others get in your investment. Its definitely part of the enjoyment of owning a nice car or bike. That induction noise though, what a bike! Can only imagine how good that thing feels to ride. Congrats on it being in such good condition Chris, and being able to enjoy it. So glad its worked out.
The "suddenly feel self conscious & weird, so I drove off" resonates hugely with me. I often set off on a ride intending on stopping at a biker Cafe, and 10/10 times I ride past as its "too busy" then spend the next 10 miles convincing myself I didn't really want to go... thanks for the content mate.
I bought a 996 in the last year and eventually rode it a few times in the last couple of months and I love it .That boom from the 996 pipes is awesome - both on the throttle and during decel. My only regret is not buying one when they were half the price! Would love to try one on track as I have a feeling they would be quite a quick sweet handling thing. IMO the best looking bike ever made.
I think about my old 996SPS at least once a week for the last 9 years since I sold it and this video makes me miss it even more and more. Dumbbest mistake of my life because those bikes are worth a lot now
@@BaronVonGrumble hi Chris, I've been contacted by'you' saying I've won a bike for one of my comments. I'm pretty sure it's a scam but hope you see this and can respond. I think I'll be more gutted that we weren't having "a moment" than not actually winning a bike. 😂 Anyway you need to be aware , if indeed, it is a scam. Cheers.
I remember going to the Bike show in 1994 at the NEC and seeing a Ducati 916 for the first time!!! I stood for I don't remember how long in awe of the most beautiful Bike I had ever seen! and in 2024 it's still a thing of beauty, and the sound is well! magical.
Just got a 2001 996S with 600 miles on it and it is a torture rack, vibrates like crazy, run hot, and has very tall stock gearing and paired with a grabby dry clutch. It sounds like a nightmare to ride but just like Baron said it makes you feel special to ride it and you put all that aside when out in the twisties, its fantastic!
I'm really happy to see how directly the throttle grip transfers the joy to you. Experience a classic Ducati is the direct route to happiness ;-) Best greetings from Düsseldorf
Beautiful bike, and what a sound! I have a748S with 50mm termi pipes, and the sound of it still makes the hair stand up on my arms. Add in the dry clutch and it's a mechanical symphony as well as beautiful. 👍🇦🇺
Love this!! The joy from riding was clear and shame it’s not the beginning of the summer (not that we really had one…). Stick it in the van and get to the Costa Blanca and ride around there or around the Italian Lakes - use her for what she was built for!
Such a beautiful bike 😍 Life must be so much better just knowing it’s parked in the garage. Just existing within the collection even when not riding it would make smile.
I absolutely loved this video. Great work. Ive thought about much of what you discussed in the video. My 998 is far from original. Its got over 45,000 miles on the clock and counting. It has a 999s engine in it, 996 fairings, 999 oil cooler and radiator, etc. Ive also done a track day with it a few years ago, but i was so afraid of dropping it, it wasnt as fun as it could have been. I am planning to do another one next month, and I plan to push it a lot more. I probably dont have to worry about anything happening because I am so slow. lol Also, the comparison with the Ferrari F40 is spot on.
Awesome stuff Chris! That bike is absolutely gorgeous and my god the sound. You better get used to having a lot more conversations like the one you had at the start of the video. The bike is what I call a "Double take", you drive or walk by and you immediately look twice. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
Absolutely amazing! What a gem. I hope you'll keep it in a good condition. It really feels very special. You could continue this series with the yellow 916 of yours. You said you love customizing old bikes, improve them. Just imagine after you'd finished them both and put them next to each other. How exciting would that be. Also maybe compare them. Budget wise and the feeling enjoyment they give. But this is just an idea. You sound much happier which is the most important. Thank you for sharing this. 🍻
Bravo Baron. I'm currently in hospital watching over my little girl who had an operation yesterday. What I really needed to see was some galumphing nut job injecting a bit of joy and happiness with his 20-odd year old Ducati, and you didn't disappoint. God bless you, BvG.
I am an under boob man myself. Chris please please keep riding this beautiful Ducati if I had one I would . Absolutely gorgeous. It needs to be shown off ❤❤❤.
@@emudshitI met Loris Capirossi as a kid, i wanted a Ducati from that day onwards. Had one for 5 years but couldn't afford the maintenance costs. Got to make do with jap bikes. Which are far superior but nowhere near as good. If you know what i mean.
Chris “it’s a shame people don’t use these ,they should be on show for people to enjoy “ Also Chris “I don’t want to go over 12k ,so i can’t ride it “ 🤷♂️
I have 7 bikes in my garage and I'm often asked which bike I'd keep if i was forced to keep just one bike .. My answer will never change ..998s which was one of the very last of the 916 design .. They truly are stunning and best of luck with yours Chris you deserve it 👌
This is just awesome. Thanks for uploading the vid. Impossible to affort one of these these days, without selling a kidney. Still lokin for a 916, 996 or 998 in good shape. The most beautiful motorbike ever made, for sure!
I love 90s bikes and that is probably top of the list. Looks and sounds so good. Would be so great to see you take it on the track, just for a few safe laps.
Reminded me of the daze I'd go into the Rickey Racer shop in Southern California where ol' Lance Weil (RIP) would have Laverdas, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Moto Morini's, etc.for sale. Bought an almost-new 1976 Moto Guzzi LeMans 850 (a rare, silver/gray model) off him eventually, Still turn my head when I hear any of these classics go by when I'm out riding my (what you guys would call a) pushbike. Thanks for sharing this and the previous workshop video!
What a beauty, congratulations! I'm the first and only owner of a Ducati ST2, every time I start the engine I have to grin like an idiot, it's pure pleasure. The one thing I like most is running over the 'Ducati' on the fuel tank. The letters are painted and you feel every curve and bump. Doing this most of the time while waiting on traffic lights etc. Enjoy her and stay save.
As a sometimes rider of a 916 and the owner of a 996-powered ST4, this one looks fun to blast through the English countryside. Congrats on the latest jizzmachine.
I had a monster s4 with the 916 engine in the gray with red wheels - such a great sounding beast. I loved riding it around town - occasionally I'd have a person pull up beside me and say "I think there's something wrong with your bike" due to the rackety noise from the clutch." So much character. I sold it to my dad some years ago, so I still get to take a rip on it from time to time.
Hi, never heard you so giggly about a bike, totally agree most beautiful bike ever made. First saw one in the infield at Donnington park and was blown away. You can't ever sell this, surely
It’s amazing to hear the genuine joy in your voice when you give it the beans… I was grinning just watching you give that beautiful 916 a little thrash
Great mini series, I bought my 996 Bip 12 months ago off my father in law who owned it for 21 years with 32k on the clock. I feel the same as you did every time I get on it 😅. In the process of restoring it this winter, needs a bit more than yours did unfortunately. Keep the updates coming please and enjoy riding it forget the 12k!
Can’t express how happy I am for you. I mean it. I have a 94 original SP which I still ride. She makes me smile everytime and I’ve had her since new. An original San Marino unit. Only 310 built. I feel your passion but it’s not as big as mine. Had a few problems in northern spain last year . So thanks to my friend who put me on to your first vid I’ll be taking it to Luigi. Thankyou for your honest comments. I live her to bits.
