Welcome from a fellow Essex dweller! There's quite a few of us about.
We meet up in Chelmsford on the third monday of every month (so you've just missed it) and do rideouts too.
There's a great thread by resident guru Shazaam which lists most of the common faults with the 916 line. Take a look here:
http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/sh...ad.php?t=41314