996s or 998bp?
 

Hi everyone,
I've been a member for a while now but have only just managed to get the cash together for my first Duke, and was wondering if anyone could give me advice as to wether to go for the 998 biposto (which is what I had intended) or a 996s which is priced just below (about £400 difference)
Thanks in advance,
Illya.

On the information you've provided the 998 is what I would go for.

having owned a 996s, and enjoying it, the power output would be compareable i believe, however the 998 is a newer model and therefore probably the better option, the 996s should come with the ohlins rear shock which is better than the showa unit, however i have seen some 998bps with ohlins also just not sure if they all have them? I would personally try to streach to a 998s, which IMHO is head and shoulders above the other 2, although the cost may appear preventative for you, i dont think you would regret it!

Ils,

I was in the same boat as you last year. I took out a 998 for a test ride and felt I needed the extra power, me just been greedy. However, I had to make a deal with the wife that this was going to be the last one...! After reading all the reports I went for the 998S. I bought one through this web site and I'm delighted with it. I would definately recommend you get one. Be patient, one will come up. There're worth every penny.......

Having ridden a 996S and owned both a 998bip and now the 998S I'd say the 998S is the one to go for - last time I looked On Yer Bike had about 4 of them for sale - all bips I think.

Thanks for the advice guys - the 998s was out of my reach financially but I have eventually settled on a Y reg 996s from P&H Crawley .. the termis + originals / ohlins / carbon bits / new pirelli diablos / 12 month warranty / free 4 hour advanced rider training was more temptation than I could bear! Only downside is that I have to wait until 7th August before I can pick it up - bloody hell, what am I going to do until then? Start smoking again, that's what.:eureka:

Welcome mate - you'll enjoy it no end!

Enjoy the bike, join the club, enjoy the club too. :)

You know you want to ...

get a 748 R or SPS in yellow!!! in fact any 748 !!! the best things come in small packages :D:D:D

not that i'm biased or anything ;);)

IMO you've made the right decision. I was in the same position 3 years ago when the 998 had just come out. I was told by a friend who worked in a Ducati dealership that the 996 was a far more robust eengine as Ducati had spent years developing it and I have seen a fair few broken down 998's in my time. They're all great bikes but I just think that the 996 is more robust. My 996s is my only road bike and I ride it all year round. I have ridden it down to the SoF from London on numerous occasions and the only problem I've ever had is a rundown battery!!!
Good luck:sing:

I would say the 996 engine is the better engine too, the new 998/999 Testastrata engine is the result of ever tightning EU emissions laws.

The 996 engine has a longer stroke and IMHO, it sounds better.

Either way, you`ve got a Fantastic bike, Enjoy the summer....