Old 916s. Am I mad

OK, so I have a small bonus coming my way and since I've been really
good and emptied my garage[1] I think I deserve a treat.

I was thinking along the lines of an old Italian bike; Ducati Pantah or
a Guzzi 850. However, it seems that the 916 is now selling for less
than 3k.

This one specifically looks 'ok': eBay: 120129868865

Would I be completely mad to even consider one of these? Naturally
it'll be a toy that rarely gets used.




[1] Sold both of my K100s.

 

Darmah or Jota (so I can have a go)

 

A *big* vote for a Jota. I miss my old 180 very badly indeed. I may have to
sell the spare Guzzi and get another.


JB

 

.... which is something they don't like.

Anyway, the above looks reasonable (at least it's been used) but I'd
only buy one with full service history and all that...

 

Darmahs are nice, but a tad slow compared to a 'real' 750 or 900SS. On
the plus side they're reasonably cheap to buy even in decent nick. Oh,
and they're a pain to ride, quite literally - seating position was
designed by someone who moonlights for the Holy Inquisition. Well, at
least on the SSD.

And no, mine's not for sale.

 

1996, the year Ducati was nearly broke before the TPG buyout.
Personally I'd avoid. My 98 Duke was a nightmare.

 

My 98 Duke was a nightmare.

Bah. My _96_ Duke was a nightmare. Specifically, two engine
rebuilds, a new frame, mew clutch and new speedo in 9K miles and two
years from new.

 

Looks nice, important work done, fair price.

Doesn't matter. It's an icon. It will not depreciate, and in 10 years'
time every other bugger will be jealous.

I took the 400 Four for its MoT today - 300 miles since the last one.
Why do I keep it? Because it is still wonderful to ride, even
occasionally. And because it is, and always will be, fucking gorgeous.

 

Definition of a raving optimist/lunatic: someone who buys an old Ducati
from Timo.

 

Agreed. The 916 is one of those bikes that makes a before and an after in
bike design.

 

I reckon it's a good idea, I've been considering similar, before remembering I
ride in London and there's no point[1]. They're past the "style idiot" years
now as the Ducatisti have long moved onto newer models, and sold their 916s
with 2000 dry miles on. As a young whippersnapper, it's really the icon of my
biking youth. I wouldn't know an RD250 if it ran me over.

I also reckon it's a great panty-wetter.

[1] But I still would if a great deal "appeared" on one with a FSH.

 

Well, it's something that would sit under a cover in the garage next to
the ZXR750H1 only being used a few times a year.

I'm kind of figuring that any really horrible issues would have surfaced
by now. Still... Food for thought.

 

Absolutely. But I really would think long and hard about a 96 model.

 

Agree 100%.

 

If a £2,500 hole in a bank account is scientific basis for this claim
then I have it :-(

 

It's the easiest way to kill a vehicle; don't use it.

Well, second to sell it to Timo I suppose.

 

Yes, you'd be mad to consider one for any practical purpose. But if
it's a heart-felt itch that needs scratching, practicality doesn't come
into it. Just buy one to get it out of your system.


--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tigtona 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

It's a perfectly reasonable idea. But do make sure you have lots of history
and lots of receipts. The mileage on that one is quite low for the year and
you shouldn't consider one with much less mileage. They really don't like
being sat round not being used. It takes nearly a minute of running after
you start for oil to reach the cams so the longer it is left between runs
the more likely that there will be damage to the rockers.

I do think the price is optimistic and you should be able to get a 1998 for
that sort of "buy it now" money. A 1998 bike would be a better bet anyway.
I sold my 1998 916 2 years ago for £4k and was really pleased (amazed
actually) that I got that price. The best dealer offer I got was £2k against
a 998. That said, it's probably the worst time of year to be buying so maybe
he'll get that price. He does appear to have recently spent a lot of money
on it - those rockers aren't cheap (mind you, I'd just spent £1,500 on mine
when I sold it).

 

Got a bit tabby, did it?
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

Teach a man to fish and he and his pikey mates will have the
river cleaned out in a day.

 

It really is worth finding a 996 rather than a 916. Better bike all round
with same styling.
HTH