1997 Ducati 916S Biposto

"Is the 916 sexy? Like no inanimate object has any right to be. It's cliché-ridden, but it's Italian, red, sculpted from sheer speed and Da Vinci nudes, demanding, expensive, sometimes cantankerous and it wears the soporific aphrodisiac of success effortlessly." – Bike magazine.

Although Ducati's water-cooled 8-valve v-twin had been around in its original 851 and 888 incarnations for six years and had already won three World Superbike (Riders') Championships, it was the arrival of the iconic 916 in 1994 that really captured the public's imagination. Styled by Massimo Tamburini, the 916 and its subsequent evolutions established Ducati as one of the world's foremost brand names. Universally recognised as icons of automotive art, Ducati motorcycles have been exhibited in some of the world's foremost museums, including the Guggenheim in New York and the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco.

In developing the original 851, engineer Massimo Bordi created one of the finest motorcycle power plants ever. By the mid-1980s, Ducati's existing air-cooled 4-valve twins were approaching the end of the development, so Bordi started with a clean sheet in creating their water-cooled, 8-valve, fuel-injected successor. Ducati's trademark desmodromic valve actuation system, which closes the valves mechanically rather than relying on springs, was retained, as was the 90-degree angle between the cylinders. Wrapped around this outstanding engine was a frame, consisting of an intricate trellis of straight tubes, whose design would go on to be standardised throughout the Ducati range. The integration of all these elements was the key to the 916's success; that and a brilliant on-road performance that eclipsed just about everything else around at the time. The Ducati 916 won the World Superbike Championship in its 1994 debut season and its evolutions three times after that. Enough said.

Currently displaying a total of 4,904 miles on the odometer, this Ducati 916 Biposto has seen very little use since its acquisition by the private vendor on 29th July 2024. The machine was supplied new to first owner Mr A Hackett of Staines, Middlesex by Moto Cinelli Ltd of Northampton (1997 PDI on file). An old typed note on file lists the following specification and modifications:

• Senna chip
• Single seat conversion
• Suede seat
• Polished swinging arm
• Polished wheels
• Öhlins steering damper
• Goodridge brake hoses
• Frame plugs
• JHP footrests and brake lever
• Uprated chain and sprockets
• Termignoni exhausts
• Carbon-fibre shock absorber guard
• Carbon-fibre chain guard
• Carbon-fibre disc scoops
• Carbon-fibre front mudguard
• Carbon-fibre oil cooler guard
• Open clutch cover
• Tinted screen

Service history on file includes a 1999 Motorcycle City (Farnborough) invoice for servicing (at 4,898 miles); a 1999 Harwins Casoli invoice for a carbon fibre chain guard and mirrors painted in red; a 1998 Harwins Casoli invoice for a lever; a 2008 WM Performance invoice for a service (at 4,899 miles); and a 1999 Harwins Casoli invoice for an Öhlins steering damper bracket;

In January 2025 Ducati Alton carried out annual servicing and recommissioning at 4,899 miles (see detailed invoice on file). Works undertaken included:

• Carried out annual service including belts per scheduled maintenance.
• Drain oil, inspect gauze filter.
• Remove fuel tank, performance foam filter element found to be degraded and broken up.
• Cleaned filter debris from throttle bodies.
• Drain old fuel from tank, strip tank and replace filter and all internal and external fuel lines.
• Fit new O/E air filters.
• Replace battery.
• Run engine through heat cycle, checking fan operation and fuelling.

Chassis Work included:

• Adjust, clean and lubricate chain.
• Replace deteriorated upper and lower chain slippers.
• Check and torque sprocket hub and rear wheel nuts.
• Replace clutch slave cylinder, bleed through, replace old brake fluids.
• Replace damaged clock damper mounts.
• Replace incorrectly routed and damaged speedo cable.
• Replace missing speedo drive plate and seal in front wheel.
• Replace front sidelight bulb.
• Replace tail bulb.
• Remove custom number plate mount and number plate.
• Fit new rubber plate hanger bracket with indicators and number plate light.
• Fit new number plate and reflector.
• Strip and lubricate switchgear.

Mot'd until 3 February 2027, the machine is offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and an HPI report stating that there have been four previous owners. It should be noted that both the V5C and HPI incorrectly list the frame number as 'DM916S 1010055', an '*' the first '1' and '0' being misinterpreted/transposed.

One of the most beautiful motorcycles ever created, combining iconic Italian design with race-bred engineering. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a well-sorted example of a timeless superbike offering both exhilarating performance and strong long-term collector appeal.
Offered with key