Ducati 996 info?

[CHOPPA]

Im looking at getting a 2000 model ducati 996, dont ask why etc its just a deal i am looking into but i dont know the first thing about ducatis.... here is the link check it out any info would be great cheers

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-151335048.htm

[Taz]

That is beautiful. I'd love to have one in my garage but not as my everyday ride.

[Zoolander]

Cool bikes, I like them a lot, service intervals are every 10k, belts due at 20k or every two years, unless it has a service history showing belts were done I would factor that cost into it, better safe then sorry. Some desmoquattro engines were affected by a faulty batch of rockers, basically the chrome can flake and damage the cams if not rectified, so worth keeping that in mind and checking them when servicing. Can help to avoid this by running good oil and when cold starting give the oil time to reach the upper cylinder head by avoiding revving for 90 seconds or so.

I think this bike has had it's frame painted as I dont think they ever came out in black. Might be worth investigating why?

Good luck if you decide to get a 996, they're a fantastic bike to ride, on the right road at least....

[Zoolander]

Oh and one more thing, its possible that isn't actually a monoposto, if you look closely you can see the bolt holes on the subframe for the pillion pegs, unless the subframes been swapped its actually a biposto. Not that that really matters, but worth knowing.

[CHOPPA]

Oh and one more thing, its possible that isn't actually a monoposto, if you look closely you can see the bolt holes on the subframe for the pillion pegs, unless the subframes been swapped its actually a biposto. Not that that really matters, but worth knowing.

Cool man thanks for that! exactly the sorta info i need cheers!

[CHOPPA]

I dont suppose you would know a ball park figure for the belt job?

Also just with the jap import thing is this something that devalues it somehow? or maybe detunes it?

Im just a little worried cause you always hear horror storys and they seem expensive to repair but the low ks are good!

[HDTboy]

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Ducati_Superbike__Review_5469208
From what I understand, a service history is very important.

[Sparky Bills]

Wouldnt get much change out of a grand for a full service.
Id be checking it out before you buy.
The frames did NOT come out in that colour. Maybe have a look to see if the cylinder heads etc have been paint seeled....
If you know what I mean?

[DUCATI*HARD]

you got nothing to worry about

[johan]

Pretty much what the others said.

If it's a low K, chances are it hasn't had a full service done which includes coolant change, oil, oil-filter, fuel filter, tank clean, shims, clean and grease bearings etc. After eight years it'd be a really good idea to do these. Check the rubber seal between the airbox and the tank. The cush drive bushes at the rear sprocket is another thing to look at. They sometimes move towards the rear wheel hub.

Ask for a picture on right hand side of the electric wires around the battery.

They are very nice to work on, they come apart easily, quick connectors to most things, the tank takes less than 2 minutes to remove to get into the airbox thanks to the click type fuel line connectors.

Also, low mileage is not a guarantee of no flaking rockers. I know, I learned the $$$ way. The only way to know is to remove the cams and have a look. Ask if it has been done.

The 996 injection is a bit dodgy. They come with twin injectors per cylinder, but the computer can not fire them independently making the engine running rich at low revs. So you can get a rough spot around 3.500 rpm if it has not been tuned properly. If you fit slip-ons and change ECU chip this goes away with proper tuning. The SPS model uses the newer ECU and doesn't have this problem. I understand the dual injector set up has to do with SBK homologation rules, not because the engine needs it. The are quite a few chip mods out there to choose from.

It has the tallest gearbox of all Ducati superbikes. You really want to gear it down if it hasn't been done. I think 6th gear in a 996 SPS equals 5th on the base 996. It's taller than a 1098, but with less power! Standard is 15/36, I'm running 14/40. Keep in mind, the eccentric rear wheel hub makes the riding height change when you adjust the chain tensions. If you change gearing, make sure you fit a chain with the right number of links to get the riding height correct.

Other than that, they are addictive great bikes, I love mine and would buy another one if I could.

I'd recommend you to try it and have a good look at it.

Good luck!

[RSV Boy]

Oh and one more thing, its possible that isn't actually a monoposto, if you look closely you can see the bolt holes on the subframe for the pillion pegs, unless the subframes been swapped its actually a biposto. Not that that really matters, but worth knowing.

Only 996S and upward had the aluminium mono subframe, the standard Mono uses the Biposto steel subframe, which is quite handy if you ever want to convert to 2 seater to take out that lady in your life

[slowpoke]

I had a 916 Strada Monoposto that had been converted to SP spec's by the Ducati Dealer Team for use as a racebike and it had an alloy subrame.

As Johan said they are very addictive bikes. I sold mine when we came back to Oz but I'm kicking myself now, even though I've commandeered my partner's R1. Technically speaking the R1 does everything the Duc did and then some, but somehow the Duc was the more memorable ride.
A 996 would be easier to live with than my grumpy 916 with it's monstrous cams...unless you do a lot of town riding in which case the thing will be a pain: the heavy clutch, gearing, riding position and lousy steering lock make life pretty unpleasant....
....until you peel off onto the freeway on ramp heading out of town and all is forgiven!

Oh yeah, from the factory the suspension set up is shite, but once I followed the Performance Bikes Mag recommended set up the thing was transformed.

Here's another good site for some real world Ducati performance/dyno testing info:
http://www.moto-one.com.au/performance/index.html

[et al]

996 is a great bike. I had one from new for 5 years and regret selling it but it had to go - still for sale by the way at Motomart here:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-133826482.htm
Look at the pictures of my old one by way of a comparison because that is absolutely original. Note that the last model run like this had the Ohlins rear shock and the later models also never had the rocker issue spoken of. As others have said you need to look more carefully at any bike that is import/not original unless you can be assured of its history. That one you are looking at may well be a good buy but you really want to check out what else is available and look at least one other similar model if you can.