1998 Ducati 916 SP value?

[MotoSook]

Did they even make a SP model. I thought maybe it was SPS only in 1998.

So whats a good condition 5000 mile 916 worth these days?

I couldnt find a while lot of data out there for a 1998 "SP".

[motion]

I would say a '98 916 would range from $4000-$6000 depending on condition. Red is always worth more. '95 is worth the most. I picked up an 02 998 with 3500 miles on it for $5750 about 2 years ago in perfect condition with lots of CF extras.

[MotoSook]

Just the man I was hoping would post! Thanks, Richard.

The search I did during my lunch break doesn't show an SP made in 1998. The seller claims it's a '98SP with the 955 cc kit installed. It's got some other upgrades, but I'm debating whether it's worth my time to go see it. I'd love a 998 but they don't pop up around here often.

If it is a true SP and has the 955 kit I would be sowmthing I'd want to have and keep.

[motion]

Originally Posted by georgeinhere

I'm looking for a 916 or a 996, 998 will be out of my present budget. Post when you get one!

Edit: Unless Motion wants to sell his 998.

No! I also have a 998 Bostrom Beautiful bikes.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Soukus

Just the man I was hoping would post! Thanks, Richard.

The search I did during my lunch break doesn't show an SP made in 1998. The seller claims it's a '98SP with the 955 cc kit installed. It's got some other upgrades, but I'm debating whether it's worth my time to go see it. I'd love a 998 but they don't pop up around here often.

If it is a true SP and has the 955 kit I would be sowmthing I'd want to have and keep.

I think a real SP has the Ohlins rear shock, CF Termis, plate on the triple clamps and some other stuff. The 955 kit will reduce the value, for sure.

[MotoSook]

What does a guy need with two 998s ...

Really, the bigger P&Cs will reduce value? I got the impression it was a common upgrade for true "SP" models because of the larger case spigots.

[vash]

Originally Posted by motion

I think a real SP has the Ohlins rear shock, CF Termis, plate on the triple clamps and some other stuff. .

if this is the bike i am thinking of. it is featured in just about the coolest motorcycle poster of all time. the one in the wood crate. right? it was the instant i fell in love with Ducati.

[javadog]

Ducati made a 916SPS in in 1997 and 1998, which were 996cc. It sounds like that's an earlier bike, since the SP models were made in 1996 and prior. Read on...

Ducati made several versions of the 916 that were considered "SP". They have a few things that make them more valuable than a standard 916, although they retained the 916cc displacement of the standard bike. You'd have to have Ducati verify the serial number of one of these, to determine if it's a standard 916 or a 916SP, as they shared serial number ranges.

But, there were 50 bikes sold in 1996 in the US as homologation specials for AMA Superbike racing. These are usually known as 916SPA models and they have a 955cc engine from the factory, as opposed to an aftermarket 955cc engine conversion. These would be worth a fair bit more than the run of the mill 916.

So, you have to figure out what the guy has, since he's apparently clueless. Ducati didn't build a 955cc bike in 1998 and I don't know anybody that would take a 996cc engine and make it smaller. A serial number would tell you if it's a '98 model pretty quick. If it's an SPS, it will have a number of distinguishing features, not the least of which is the number plaque on the top triple clamp showing what it is and which one it is out of the edition of 1000 examples made.

If it turns out to be a 1996 model, you need to look closely and talk to Ducati about what it is. It might be a rare one... As always, more pictures and information would be helpful.

JR

[javadog]

Originally Posted by vash

if this is the bike i am thinking of. it is featured in just about the coolest motorcycle poster of all time. the one in the wood crate. right? it was the instant i fell in love with Ducati.

That's a 1997 916SPS.

JR

[motion]

[motion]

Originally Posted by georgeinhere

Now you're just being mean

I keep on looking in the classifieds on ducati.ms. Any other sites that I should check besides Cragslist? I've never bought a bike outside of the dealer.

How about a 999, not the same look but what a great engine. I had a detuned version in my S4RS...loved it!

Keep an eye on Ebay, and also Bay Area Riders Forum. Very active board with a lot of Ducatis. Personally, I can't stand the 999. Its the polar opposite of what Tamburini did with the 916/996/998. But, some people like them, and they are technically a better bike

[motion]

Originally Posted by Soukus

What does a guy need with two 998s ...

Really, the bigger P&Cs will reduce value? I got the impression it was a common upgrade for true "SP" models because of the larger case spigots.

The 916s are becoming collector items, so originality is the key. Most Ducs are going to decrease in value with engine mods. They really aren't very reliable bikes to begin with, so engine mods will just serve to make potential buyers nervous.

[javadog]

This is a '98 model US 916SPS:

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Soukus

Did they even make a SP model. I thought maybe it was SPS only in 1998.

So whats a good condition 5000 mile 916 worth these days?

I couldnt find a while lot of data out there for a 1998 "SP".

Yep, they made an "SP" model, but it was superceded by the SP3, then SPS (and again later by the "R" on following models). If it's a `98, it should be an SPS AFAICR. Although if that's the case, it would be 996cc, and not in need of a 955 "big bore" kit. Maybe it's a `95-`97 SP/SP3 (916cc)? Or it could just be a plain-jane 915 that someone is misrepresetning as an SPS "build". If that is the case then Motion's price range applies. If it's a true SPS, I'd bump the range up a few grand. If it's actually a 916SPA (factory 955cc) in those price ranges, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Uber rare.


Edit: Java beat me to (most of) it.

[enzo1]

quitting bikes is HARD...friend offered his ducati desmosedici rr to me for a ride, I declined, drove 2nd place 430 instead. Helped a little. lol

[MotoSook]

Richard, I get your point about the big bore decreasing value.

Eric, the bike in question isn't being advertised as a "SPS" nor a "SPA", but a "1998 SP" with a big bore kit. I just can't find anywhere indicating the Ducati acutally made an "SP" model in 1998, 1997 sure, but 1998?

Here is an interesting article on the big bore kit:

On the surface a relatively easy conversion, the increase in capacity comes from the 96 mm bore, up from 94 mm. Installing a 955 kit to a 916 SP is almost simply a matter of removing the old cylinders and pistons and fitting the new. This is due to the fact that the crankcases on the 916 SP are machined larger at the cylinder spigot (hole) than the normal 916. To convert a 916 Strada or Biposto to 955 the cases need to be machined to accept the larger cylinder spigots. This requires stripping the engine down to bare cases, adding more labour to the job. Or you can use std 94mm cylinders bored to 96mm. This reduces the spigot wall to 2mm, which may or may not be too thin.

BikeBoy.org - Ducati 916 SP – 955 BIG BORE KIT

The seller texted me and said it is indeed a 1998, and a local shop installed the 955 kit, so if he has records of the installation and it doesn't indicate case boring or boring of cylinders.

The bike has five spoke rims, Ohlin rear shock, carbon fiber cans and is monoposto.

If there is no way in hell that Ducati made an "SP" in 1998, then it'd be a waste of my time to go see it. Unfortunately, the factory workers just grabed what ever part was closest when assembling these damn things. So there isn't guaranteed identification!

[javadog]

Soukus,

Re-read what we are telling you. There is no SP in 1998. None in 1997, either. There is no "big bore kit" for an engine that is already bigger than 955cc. That tells me it's not an SPS, or it's not a '98, or it's a standard 916 that has been modified. The seller is wrong about one of his points. Which one is yet to be determined.

As for "Unfortunately, the factory worked just grabed what ever part was closest when assmenling these damn things. So there isn't guaranteed identification!" all I can say is that Ducati knows exactly what they built and they are happy to tell you what it is, if you ask them. Plenty of other people have done this...

This is real simple, if you don't make it hard. Get the serial number of the chassis. Get the engine number. Report back.

JR

[Dan J]

I have a 99 996S my advice:
1) Buy it
2) Ride,ride,ride
3) Smile

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by motion

'95 is worth the most. I picked up an 02 998 with 3500 miles on it for $5750 about 2 years ago in perfect condition with lots of CF extras.

Please elaborate on the '95 being worth the most!
Thanks!

[HardDrive]

This thread is making me miss my 748S