Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 996SPS or 998S (sorry if this has already been done!)

I apologies if I am treading familiar ground with this post, but I have carried out a search but cannot find any straight answers. With a budget of £6500, I have been looking at the 996SPS. But the more I search I notice I can pick up a 03 plate 998 with 4000k for around £7000 and a 02 plate 998S with 8700k for around £8000. I like the look of both bikes and would find the extra £1500 if it meant I was getting a better ride. I have no riding experience of either bike (only twin I have ever ridden is the SP1, which I loved, and the 749, which I hated, felt very heavy and very slow) so I have to listen to other Ducati owners (getting a decent test ride on both bikes back to back is clearly not possible).

I think the best way for me to gage a response of rider/owners choice is to ask:

If you were offered a brand new 996SPS or 998S for free, which bike would you take?

Please no 999 alternatives, I don’t like the looks of the new Ducati.

[Edited on 10-12-2005 by RCA]

[MARTIN H]

I would take the SPS for the collectability (y2k with Ohlins) but there again the extra oomph at the top end would make the 998s a good choice! Shaun (BDG) did a good write up somewhere comparing the two of them. Maybe the 998 engine would be a safer bet in the long run? Rocker wear etc? Not much help am I ? Dont think you could go wrong with either, I have not had a SPS but had a 996S which as far as I know makes its power in an identical way to the SPS I have a 996R now which is pretty much the same engine wise as a 998s and the difference between the 2 really is noticable. The SPS engine seemed to be more agricultural if you will but very characterful with plenty of go all the way through the rev range. The 996r/998s seems a little more refined but with the same amount of go until you get to 8500/9000 rpm and then it just carries on building more and more. Which becomes very addictive.

I'd say try and get a decent test ride of both bikes and see which you prefer.

[andyb]

Mate, ride the bike........have a 998s ...136hp! Its leaps and bounds a better engine and ultimately a better bike.

Fit Ohlins for a bit of bling if you like, i dont believe there is many on the site that could tell the difference!

Originally posted by MARTIN H
Shaun (BDG) did a good write up somewhere comparing the two of them.

Do you know where this is?

[Henners]

Richard

The 998S engines is mainly the same as the 996R engine 0f 2001 apart from different castings. See BDG's wise words here

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/xm...9452#pid264092

[BDG]

Thanks Henners for digging it up.

They're both great bikes but i think the 998S would edge it IMHO. However given the choice of a really mint SPS with all the right bits and history over a doggy 998S, i'd go for the SPS. Condition and how its been looked after counts for a lot.

[Rattler]

I'd take a SPS over a 998S, but a 996R over a SPS.

But then I'm elitist

Tim

[Henners]

You are Tim and he ain't got the money for a 996R ....

[andyb]

Originally posted by Henners
You are Tim and he ain't got the money for a 996R ....

Obviously quiet on the gayblade site that night?

[MartinK]

I'm fortunate to have owned both, back to back almost.
The S is the better bike ... it is marginally more refined and is quicker ....well it feels quicker. The clutch is lighter and the brakes are better and they all have ohlins. The SPS is more charismatic and has the white number boards.