Couple of 998SFE Questions
 

1.I was looking at a new Ducati 998 s final edition in the showroom and noticed it has die cast cases (smooth outer finish) whereas some other regular 2002 998S models I've seen have had the sand cast cases (rough outer finish).

Why is this and are there any technical advantages to having sand cast over die cast cases?

2 Also is it just me or is the colour of the SFE more of an orangey red than normal-a 2002 bike parked nearby looked to be a darker & deeper red in colour than the SFE?

First of all welcome.

As for the castings - it could be the case that rather than splash out on new dies for the FE model, they knocked up some sand moulds quickly for a short run. Cheaper option i'd say.

The colour of the red might be different - how does it look in comparison to the 999? It might be that the 999 red is slightly different and rather than get an old batch of red they've used the new 999 red.

Just some thoughts based on production efficiencies :D

998S FE
 

Is the 998FE really value for money though?:puzzled:

I\'ve got one ...
 

.. and I think so. Bearing in mind it's a 998S which were being sold new 2 years ago for £13,995 (£500 more than the FE) and it comes with Ohlins forks as standard. Mine puts out 130bhp and 75ft lbs with 50mm termis after being run in and there is more to come. I had a 998 bip (2002) before and I kept the fairing panels and seat for use on trackdays. With them on I can't see any difference in colour with the original tank and top fairing/mudguard.

There won't be another new 916 coming along ... :D

Old technology..........get yerself a 999 :D:D:D

Old technology..........order a Desmosedici :lol:

Old technology? Correct me if i'm wrong,but a 998S & a 999 have the same engine! The only "true" 999 engine is the 998R & THE 999R!

The 916 family looks better too!!!:D

That'll stur up the 999 owners,no doubt!

Couple of 998FE Questions
 

It just seems that the FE is only very marginally better than the 998S and as soon as it goes out the showroom it will drop significantly in value.

For the same price you can get a 996R with run in milage.

However any 99* is still great to ride and own. So good luck. You will no doubt love it.

With regard to the old technology 99*, new technology 999 argument. If the 999 is sooo good how come the sales are, to quote Ducati are "disappointing" and Ducati Corse have asked the bike to be modified for next year because the aerodynamics are not up to the job. However there is no end to that discussion!

Desmosidici it is then.

You\'re right ...
 

... two/three year old 996Rs are going for less. I just wanted a new bike which I had ridden from day one is all. Well happy :sing:

Couple of 998S FE
 

Tried it both ways and there is something really nice about a brand spanking new one, agreed. No doubt some people think the same about virgins! Nuff said.

It really is a case of yer pays yer money and makes yer choice.

A 998FE is basically a 998s with Ohlins forks and a slight variation on the paint job, i.e. no number borads on the seat unit. It has the same motor as the 999s (very similar to the 996r But I am not certain that they are identical) You don't get termis included though.

A 996r has some carbon bodywork and they can be bought from about £10k upwards. You should get termis and std pipes with the ECUs to suit included.

A 998r has the full 999cc motor the same as the 999r, the bodywork is carbon including the seat unit. The top fairing is not carbon. Again you should get termis and std pipes with the ECUs to suit included. A 998r can be bought for around £13k upwards.

The other thing with any R model is that Ducati say change the belts every 12 months or 6K miles whichever is the sooner. It can make servicing a bit more expensive if everything is done by the book.

Ray

I do think the 998SFE is a great bike and actually I decided I will definitely buy one today. It's the last of a truly great line and for me the brilliant compactness and the looks of any of the 998 series are unequalled and may never be equalled. I think these should hold their value extremely well in the long term once they're all gone (won't be long), of that I am pretty sure.

However, just going back to my original main original question which so far I have no answer to-

Why has it got die cast cases when some other early 2002 S models have sand cast cases and what are the (technical) advantages of die cast versus sand cast cases? Maybe they slotted in the latest 999s motor which I know has die cast cases? I know a little about the manufacturing technique for each but not which is considered better to have and the reasons why. Or are sand cast and die cast actually as good as each other? Looking forward to some good technical discussion on this. Thanks in advance.

Good choice Mr R ..
 

... sorry, don't know the answer to the casting question - Shazzam, any ideas?

I agree Henners, I love my 998s Mono tobits and it one of only 27 in the UK.