Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Newbie 916 owner

[Nige]

I have previously owned a number of Jap 4’s and my last bike was a TRX850 which pushed all the right buttons and sold me up the river twin. I have always admired, and to some degree wanted a 916 since the Strada landed in 94.

Last year I went touring in Spain with a great lad off this sight (CRM250) and we did a bike swap for an hour, (Original 916 Strada). Decision made, with my demob from the Army imminent, I was going to treat myself.

Last November I found a mint 916BP – If the truth known I could probably have scraped the funds for a new 999, however, the later just doesn’t meet the wet dream criteria the 916 has over me. A little over priced, but with the looks of a just out of the crate 1997 bike, and with 3500 on the clock. Everything original and the 916 decals that mattered.

Rule 1 – Beware the 916 that has been stood in a heated shed for 5 years. 500 miles into my ownership the output shaft bearing made like a grenade. To cut a long story short, a rebuild with all new bearings, belts, bits, bobs, and cogs I’ve manage a further 500 miles with no surprises. (Many thanks to Steve and the guys at MotoRapido).

So I’ve been a 916 owner for 10 months and I have only just learned to love it. It’s the only/best looking tractor I have owned.

So it’s staying, and to that end this is why I am here. So, a big hello to one and all.

The imaginary money is behind the imaginary bar.

Regards

Nige

[jeff st4s]

Welcome Nige, I'll have a pint of sedative to help me calm down.
Nice bunch of people down at Moto Rapido, I caught my Duacti affliction from them earlier this year.

[Grib]

Welcome aboard Nige

[Henners]

Someone from the Hampshire region will be along shortly, until then I'll have a diet coke and say welcome Nige

[Loz]

Welcome Nige, might see you at a Hants rideout (or even a Sussex one) one day, if I ever manage to make another one of these (!).

Too early for me for a proper drink, I'll just have a cup of darjeeling, thanks!

welcome mate...

just wondering....Heard alot about these TRX 850s...what are they like?

I had a TLS for 6 months and mate said there almost as fun.

[rcgbob44]

Welcome to the club. Some of the 916 series can have there moments but I don`t think you`l regret buying your bike, I only hope its a red one and not a yellow one as they were production line regects that were low performance models.

Also be aware of some very funny people on here, there not all as sane as wot eye is!

By the way mines Jamesons & coke or a Hennesy XO & coke.

welcome!

[Carbon749]

Welcome and mines a cold bud in a frosted glass

Enjoy the bike, glad to hear your starting to get on with it.

My first Ducati was a 1998 748BP ... hated it for the first 3 months or so. Even had the advert written out to put it in MCN.

My mate convinced me to stick with it. That was almost 6 years and 5 ducati's ago

Love em and would not go back to a Jap bike.

[Nige]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I to had the advert just about formulated for a goodbye party, even test rode a Mille, Firebolt, and a speed triple, but had a good chat with myself and now love it to bits.

Hants on the 10th, I will be there.

Jewel.

I can't say if the TRX is as much fun as a TL as I have never ridden one, but I had 13500 fun miles out of it in single year. Easy to maintain, approx 75-80 BHP, red line is at 8500, although an inline twin It would still shake itself to pieces if you tried to wind it on in the wrong gear. That said, stick it in 3rd at about 3 and a half and you could treat it as a twist and go to the red line. I went around GB on it in 9 days and 3500 miles. Went to spain and back. BT020 x3 rear & 2 x the same at the front, oil every 3,000 ( mind you some burn a litre per 1,000 depending on the rider) and it never missed a beat. Front suspension is poo as are the brakes and the rear is not much better, but parts are ubiquitous from other Yams and usually slot/bolt straight on, R6 calipers and the like.

Yup - they are great fun..................but it aint no DUKE.

[Nige]

And yes - tis RED - do wet dreams come in yellow ?