2000年Ducati 996S

Ducati 996S

Derived from racing bikes that have been consistently winning WSB championships since WSB began, the first Ducati Superbike, the 851, was launched in 1987, this bike was followed with the 888, 916, 748 and the 996.  The 916 won several worldwide awards including 4 “Motorcycle of the Year” awards from MCN magazine.  The 996 replaced the 916 in 1998.  An entry into the legend of Italian motorcycling racing, an aggressive, high performance and beautifully designed machines, closely derived from Ducati’s currently competing in the WSB.  Aimed at purists who want everything from a bike with its compact design and slim silhouette to provide superior handling at speeds up to 170 mph.  Combines advanced thermodynamics of 4-valve per cylinder with unsurpassed efficiency of Desmodromic valve system.  

Styling:

·        Marchesini 5-spoke wheels,

·        wheels and frame in “racing gun-metal grey”,

·        Showa forks with gold-coloured TiN-coated legs. 

Fittings:

·        extra carbon fiber parts

Ergonomics and comfort:

·        PSC 12 clutch master cylinder with higher hydraulic ratio. 

Chassis:

·        front suspension is 43mm Showa upside down forks with low-friction TiN-coated legs,

·        Showa rear shock absorber,

·        Marchesini wheels in special, lighter alloy. 

Engine:

·        metallic head gaskets. 

By 1998, the 916 was assailed by litre V-twins from several manufacturers, including Suzuki's TL1000R and Aprilia's RSV Mille, both more powerful than the 916.

Luckily for Ducati, it had already prepared a larger engine, in the shape of the 996cc engine used in the 916SPS. By the end of 1998, Ducati had released the 996 Biposto, an updated 916 with a 996cc engine. The 996 Biposto engine incorporated some features from the 916 design, and some from the SPS motor, including the pistons and crankcases. Other detail engine modifications included an updated fuel-injection system and more powerful alternator.

The 996 chassis was not dramatically changed from the 916 - there was little wrong with the old bike's handling. Nevertheless, new brakes from Brembo gave even better stopping performance, and other minor chassis modifications refined the handling and cut weight over the 916 by 5kg (1 lib).

On the road, the 996 was much stronger than the 916, although it had less top-end power than the race-tuned 916SPS. And while the Aprilia RSV Mille and Suzuki's TL1000R still offered stronger engine performance, neither offered the mix of styling and track composure to match the Ducati.

For 2001, the last year of 996 production, Ducati offered three different versions.

The base 996 was similar to the 2000 bike, but with an ?hlins rear shock. A new 996 S was introduced, which had the 92kW (123bhp) 996SPS engine, ?hlins shock and Showa forks.

But the most interesting machine was the limited edition 996R, which featured the new Testastretta 'narrow head' engine. Produced to homologate the Testastretta engine for racing, the 996R was a SI7,000 special. Fitted with full ?hlins suspension, carbon-fibre bodywork and the 101kW (135bhp) 998cc Testastretta engine, the 996R was the bike on which Troy Bayliss won his 2001 World Superbike title.