[FZR400Tony]

a 916 owner told me that the pre-98 916 have a tendency towards electrical problems.

other than that (which i can testify to myself), i think they are awesome. it's just made it be ridden hard.

the only down sides are;

they are not what most people would call comfortable (if you only ride twisties, it's comfy).

the maint is more costly, but not as bad as non-ducati owners claim.

no 4 banger top-end.

turn-in is heavy with the stock suspension settings (i hear that changes with ride height and the other setting for rake).

but these are pretty mild complaints for a bike that is the ferrari of motorcycles. and yes i pointed out everything bad i can think of so i don't feel to crappy about backing out of a 748 to get a gsxr750.

my .02

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Tony

00 GSX-R750-yellow & black
88 FZR400-krylon black
94 CBR600F2--sold

 

[duke 916-95]

Im thinking about purchasing a 916. What do you guys think about the bike? Is it worth the money or do you think there are better bikes out there for the money.

Thanks

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[jimmyjr]

If you have the money, and the bike is in good shape, I say, "Go for it!"...Out of all the toy bikes, I have, I just can't seem to put down the Ducati...I've learned to appreciate the styling...Never liked them much, before, but they do "grow" on you!!!
............Jimmy G........................

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[Guest]

I love the title of this topic. It just opens the door and says "John come on in and take your best shot".

Of course they are not worth the money. A $10000 RC 51 has beaten the non-SP version of even the 996. But let me continue.

Who cares if they are worth the money. If you have the money and want one then go for it. They are awesome bikes. I do pick on Ducatis alot but it is out of fun. I would not buy one even if I did have the money but that's just me.

They do require more maintenence than most sportbikes(except Suzukis ), but if you know a little about them and have the tools, they are fairly easy to work on. Yes, I have worked on 996 racebikes and the streetbike's construction is very similar to the race bike, meaning relatively easy to work on.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[Tahoe]

The RC-51 may smoke it, but it's a Honda, not a Ducati. I agree with cbrf2boy's comments, certainly not the most comfy ride, but the ride, sound, and feel are awesome.

BTW: GOOD LUCK finding an RC 51 for anything NEAR $10,000, the last two I saw that were available were priced at $14,500 & $15,500. No thanks!

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Our greatest challenge in life is living up to our own potential.

 

[Guest]

Tahoe,

You are right it's not a Ducati... going on a 8-10 year old body that is shared with the 748. The 916's body style is probably one of the most beautiful ever but it is dated.

I agree with you on the idea of no way on a $14K++ RC 51 it isn't any more worth the money than the Ducati. I have yet to actually talk to any RC 51 owner that gave more than MSRP for their RC 51. Go figure.

Plese read my last post carefully. I did say that if you have the money then go for it. It(916) is an awesome bike just be ready for some maint because as you say it's not a Honda it's a Ducati.



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Ride Hard!

John

 

[VYPIR]

The 916 is definately not a "comfy" bike, but then neither is my R6. Of course you notice that these two are canyon carvers. Got to make sacrafices.

The RC-51, and example of Honda's American side. "Hey look its popular; raise the price" Notice we did that with those POS SUV's. People start swalling them up and the price skyrockets.

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You get the best thrills on two wheels!

 

[Mattrazzo]

I think Tony said it best. If the question is "Should I buy a 916?", just be aware that there will be a small increase in maintenance costs simply because it is older and it is a Duc. But trust me, as Tony says, it is not that dramatic.

I simply won't engage in the "Should I buy a Ducati" discussion that seems to be perkelating up here. Not worth the time. You buy a Ducati because it is a Ducati. The handling of even a 1995 916 still is VERY comparable to even the new RC-51. Or else it wouldn't even be close to competing with the RC-51 on the track, where it is actually beating it (where you have good riders, unlike AMA...) Ok, so I did engage, sorry, I digress....

Trust me. If the bike is clean and hasn't had any impact damage, go for it. You'll love it. That assumes you like superbikes of course. If the thought of "strapping yourself on" a bike seems yuccky to you, you may wish to shy away.

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- Dan

 

[duck 916]

Man i wouldnt buy one they are sh*t. J/k. The bike is a pure racer look at how they rule SBK. It was the most flickable bike i have ever ridden and i would smoke most other bikes through the twistes. Boy i miss that think, but i dont miss the maint. costs or my sore wrists.

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[mashuri]

What??? Someone who doesn't LOVE the R1?!

I agree that it's all degrees of like rather than disliking anything. I'm not a sensitive Yamaha person so I'll let those remarks slide this time.

 

[FZR400Tony]

links..
http://www.bcmducati.com/
http://www.io.com/~duke/QuackFAQ.htm

these are two of the better ones i found.

------------------
Tony

00 GSX-R750-yellow & black
88 FZR400-krylon black
94 CBR600F2--sold

 

[RC51racer]

I was only going to read this thread but since the RC51 keeps coming up I feel obligated to comment. Being the owner of one of these bikes and riding the others in its class (TL, 916, numerous 750 I-4's) I can tell you that it is worth every penny that the Ducati costs. I thought it was the deal of the century getting one for $9999. The 916 is a nice bike but it is punishing to ride anywhere but the track. Ergos are very cramped and the suspension is very stiffly sprung for the street. They handle very nicely though. Where the 916 will lack for the money is the power dept. There is no comparision between the RC and the Duc motors. RC wins hands down every time. And to all the guys ripping on the RC in WSB or AMA superbike, how did the 916 do its first year out? Give the honda boys a year or two and the RC will be the dominant bike provided they still have the riders to pilot it.

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[RCjohn]

I was going to stop but I changed my mind.

The Ducatis are not spanking the RC 51 in AMA or WSB competition. The Hondas have struggled in the last two World Superbike races but the VTR1000 leads the World Championship Points ahead of a Suzuki and an Aprilia and is second in the AMA behind the Suzuki.

Bayliss is at a disadvantage due to coming in late. It is a testimate to his skill and a great bike that he is as high he is in the points. I'm also glad to see Ben B. doing so well on the "lesser" NCR Ducati.

BTW those are not 916s that Bostrom, Rapp, Bayliss, Kocinski and Borja are riding, they are 996s. A street 916 would not stand much of a chance against a street RC 51 on most tracks with a given rider. Tight tracks maybe, because of the handling of the 916.

Somehow my(cheetos & JConRC) previous threads appear to have been taken as a Ducati slam. In no way were they intended to be. I cherish the FBF Ducati -- DKNYMEN team uniform in my collection of race memorabilia. Working on those bikes was an experience that I will never forget. Thanks to FBF and Steve Grigg, Jr. & Sr.

My point was simply to state that there is usually an increase in maint. but if you want the bike then go for it because they are fairly easy to work on.

I still don't think the RC 51 is worth $15K. Someone mentioned that the only RC 51s available in their area are $14500 and $15500. That is why they are still available.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[mashuri]

Uhh...didn't Fogarty take the 1994 SBK title from Scott Russell in the 916's debut year? I could be wrong but that's how I remember it. I say get it if it's what turns you on. It has tons of torque and handling to compete with anything out there. The RC has more power but if performance were your only goal, I'd say get a 929RR or R1 instead. They're lighter, handle just as well or better, have as much midrange as a big twin, and provide a top end that'll leave anything else behind.

Personally, I love Ducatis. They truely are the Ferraris of motorcycles. Yes, there are things that go faster for less money but, like a Ferrari, nothing else matches the whole "riding experience" of the Duc. The design is 8 years old and I still get excited every time I see one. They still sound better than anything else too, including the other big twins. I think the Italian firms must hire sound engineers with the sole task of making their drivetrains pleasing to the ear. It's the only way to explain why they always sound so damn good.

Disclaimer: Sensitive Honda owners should not read the following paragraph. This is just my personal opinion. I actually do have a ton of respect for Honda and what they have done for motorcycling. Having said that, here we go... IMHO, the RC51 is typically Honda: A very well engineered, well built, reliable, great performing, and totally uninspiring design. I find its looks to be homely at best and I just don't get that tingle in my gut when one rides by. Being a twin, it sounds better than a lot of bikes but it still has that Honda sewing machine sound to it. How did they manage to do that to a twin??? I'd take a used 916 any day of the week over a '51. It would simply put a much bigger grin on my face...and that's the whole point of sportbiking, isn't it? Again, I'm not trying to disrespect the RC51. I know it's seriously fast and an excellent design. It just ain't for me.

So, in a nutshell, I'm saying you should get that 916 and ride the hell out of it!

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1999 Blue/White YZF-R1: 2 Bros. C4 exhaust, Dynojet jet kit, timing tricker, dyno-tuned by Graves
2000 NBM/Lt Oak int/Blk top C5 Convertible - MN6, Z51, A&A Exhaust, C/R X-pipe, Corsa tips, !CAGS

 

[RCjohn]

Mashuri,

Excellent post. Nice summary. I agree with the first to paragraphs and the last sentence.

If you substitute R1 for RC 51 and Yamaha for Honda in the third paragraph it would express my opinion of the R1. We both have great bikes but I like the RC 51 for the reasons you don't. That gear whine from the cams is like the VFR I had. I prefer the looks of the RC 51 and have gotten somewhat tired of the look of the R1/R6 and the 748/916/955/996. By no means do I consider them homely, just a little dated(R1/R6 not as dated). I think every bike mentioned in this thread is a great piece of engineering and I would be pleased to be riding(not purchasing) any one of them.

It is kind of funny how true enthusiasts can have such differing opinions about what they like. I can't think of any sportbike right now that I actually don't like. It is just different degrees of like.

I am not a sensitive Honda owner, just an opinionated one. That is why this site is so great. We can express our opinions and respect each others.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[Guest]

This thread pretty much sums up why I will not ask any of you for advice on which bike I should get as soon as my VFR is sold. I'll figure it out myself, and the rest of you can go eat poop.

------------------
Pete
-Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

 

[Guest]

I'm not gonna eat poop Pete. If you buy anything but the 51 or 929 I might have to smack you.

Seriously, this thread shows that you can't really go wrong with todays sportbikes, new or used. All of the new ones rock from the SV to the RSV mille. Used bikes are a good bet also if you are careful.

Mashuri,

I'll chase you and your R1 any day. It definitely is not a dislike, just a lesser like. I haven't ridden with an R1 yet. A couple of R6s and I enjoy following a good rider on something that is that smooth in the curves.

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Ride Hard!

John

 

[Mr.TrevorClever]

I have heard that a duc will fry your legs if you ride in town. The shop charges too much for labor on 'em, and they look awesome.

Trevor

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[Mattrazzo]

So I guess I'm like John. I'm not sensitive, just opinionated. You can slam on my SS any day. I know it's not all that. Its a great bike, but its not going to beat anything out there, except maybe a VFR

My point in my previous post (Somehow opinion spewed out, even though I was holding it back, so you only got part of the message ) was to defend the 916 somewhat. Comments were made that the 916 was "dated" with respect to technolgy. Fact is the frame, suspension, etc hasn't changed much. Engine - sure - it's totally different. But the handling of the bike is superb and has been since its introduction. This is what "ahead of its time" means.

If you are going to race this bike, there are better options for the money. If you want to have a blast through the twisties, I seriously doubt you will be disappointed. Sure the RC-51 or [insert any 2000 model superbike here] has more HP, but will you really notice riding around town? I seriously doubt it. So assuming you are not drag racing your buddies, or racing them through the streets, the only factors that matter (as I see it) are astetics (which the Duc has claimed that title easily), comfort (here it doesn't score as well, how important is it to you?), and handling (again, easily claims the title).


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- Dan

 

[Guest]

Trevor,

The RC 51 will fry your legs in town, shops charge too much to work on 'em and they look awesome. I liked your quick point and wanted to let you know that it applies to the Honda as well.

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Ride Hard!

John