My 996 is running very short gearing compared to standard and I've seen an indicated 160mph on the clock.

BDG, sorry for the delay replying to your post - my SPS has always revved to 11000 through the gears, no mods have been done (to the engine, anyway).

Bungi - sorry your right, not really helpful, think I just got bored on Friday afternoon. I only ever post useless bollox anyway, I guess everyone else has got used to it by now !

my 1997 916 biposto with standard cans was quite capable of 150 on the clock on a regular basis, until it was modified by a Range Rover.
it's replacement, is not a standard 996 so probably not relevant for your comparison, but a 1998 916SPS with the termis and standard gearing pulls 150 and beyond with ease, the difference is considerable, and I would be reluctant to go back.

In the old days, ducati quoted 109 bhp, according to bike mags of the time rear wheel horsepower was 101 or 102 bhp. Some time later the ducati quote was 109 bhp and according to bike mags it was 109 bhp. Unnoficially the max horse power was 114bhp probably measured at the crank.