Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 998R - what's it like on the track??

[lizzie]

[dickieducati]

cc

[lizzie]

but otherwise the same? Not like the different engines in the 996 and 998 base models?

[Edited on 14-10-2004 by lizzie]

[Jools]

No it's not 2 cc.... it's just 2 - thats the difference between 996 and 998... geddit?

They both use the same testastretta engine.

[Edited on 14-10-2004 by Jools]

[Rattler]

998-996 = 2 !!! Sorry

It is a different spec engine (storke/bore), the 998R is 999cc (and was used in the 999s when they were released - albeit a detuned one in the stock 999). The 996R had a 998cc engine - simple huh!!!

The 996R has the first of the testastretta engines and this engine was further developed for the 998R - change of stroke (shorter, means potential for higher revs). As the article says the SPS engine had been developed to the max.

In road trim there's very little difference between the 996R and 998R (although asthetically the 998R had a carbon seat unit). There's a few more BHP, but it enabled Ducati to produce a more powerful engine for racing.

My view is that the 996R is the better bike, as
1. there are fewer of them made than the 998R
2. they're the first of the testastretta engines and were handbuilt (factory were'nt set up for manufacture yet!)
3. Last and in my view most importantly - it won the WSB with Troy in 2001 - the 998R didn't.

An official release statement in 2001 - interesting about the 999R reference too!!

"At the Milan International Motorcycle Show in September 2001, Ducati pulls another ace out of its sleeve with a newly revised 998R model for the 2002 year, effectively the current 996R but with an even shorter stroke engine Testastretta motor at 104mm bore x 85.8mm stroke displacing 999cc and stock compression raised from 11.4 to 12.3:1 and rated at 139 horsepower with street tuning. The even shorter stroke engine will allow even higher RPMs and proportionally more horsepower, possibly as much as 220 hp when fully developed, and certainly more than present race tires can handle. This new short stroke Testastratta should correctly be called a 999R to differenciate it from the 998 longer stroke models, but just like the 996R, Ducati has a history of confusing us this way to tie-in the race bikes to the current streetbikes, possibly for marketing reasons. "

The 996R is a great track bike, near-linear power delivery and very stable, its better than the 996SPS for outright trackspeed (as the power is morepredictable and there's more of it). But lacks the SPS's character.

Tim

[Chef]

Thanks for all your advice

Dave - that's pretty much what John Hackett said - I'm guessing it'll be a quantum step up from my 748sps - & easily tuned to 150 if you need it - not that I will

After 4 years of trying (& failing) to make up in the corners what I lose on the straights I've decided that for someone of my ability a better strategy would be to make up on the staights what I lose in the corners!!!!

Ray - I like the sound of the straight line power.......

Tim - your view wouldn't be influenced by the fact you have/are selling a 996R by any chance??!!

As a non techie all I know is that's what JHP recommended which is good enough for me & these comments seem to back it up

Thanks again

Chris

[Rattler]

Originally posted by chris ricketts

Tim - your view wouldn't be influenced by the fact you have/are selling a 996R by any chance??!!

What - by saying that a SPS has more character????

[DAVE HARRIS]

I agree with tim although the 998R is more powerfull and is definately better on track due to the linear throttle It lacks the manic hit you get on a 996SPS when it hits the powerband, which is great fun but can be unsettling on the track also wheelies take more skill on the SPS again due to the non linear throttle response (remember my track and wheelie skills are poor compared to tim etc).

favourite ducatis
996SPS sunny day road fun bike
998R track bike dry or wet
916 biposto comuting and wet track bike



dave

ps the difference is 1cc and a shorter stroke , as I said to annette a shorter stroke with a bigger piston makes all the difference!!

[bradders]

my sps has a very linear power delivery, with no massive 2 stroke type rush, is there something wrong??? and it makes a fair wack of power to, only a couple down on an 96R with more torque. Maybe its my riding style, sloooow and steady must admit, I think I would go 998r with my cash - last of the proper dooks and with more reliability

[Rattler]

Bradders - its all relativem if you've ridden a 996/8R then you'd know what we're talking about. There's no 2-stoke rush, but relatively!!!

Tim