Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Time for reflection on the 996

[greenmachine]

I've now had a few spring runs in and a chance to really find out more about the 996 and i have to say i'm well pleased with the results so here's my own personal findings...

I had slight reservations about whether i'd like being back on a sportsbike rather than a nudie but this thing is just so good it doesn't matter.

Easily the best handling bike i ever rode - beautifully well balanced and those Avon Viper supersport tyres are absolutely excellent and hugely effective even in cold/damp conditions. I'm honestly converted from Bridgestones.

The engine just pulls from any revs (above say 3000 below which it chugs a bit as would most twins) and is hugely powerful. Lovely top end too. And wheelies (not my speciality at all) are hard to stop in gears 1-3 and even 4th over crests and rises.

Handling is (cliche time) sublime - properly the easiest bike to drag your knee on ever which has to be a result of the confidence inspiring handling. And i thought my old speed triple was fun to ride !!!

Lovely clunks, bangs pops and chatters from the dry clutch, race pipes and that 'living-breathing' engine. Stirs the soul somewhat.

What more can i say? Need i mention the thumbs up from random passing Italian tourists? Kids stopping to point and stare? Only problem is finding time for everything else when all i want to do is ride my bike It all makes up for those little electrical faults and the need to polish and clean a bit more regularly, which is more of a pleasure than a chore really.

Still to come is a trip to Europe for a few trackdays so that'll give a chance to stretch its legs properly.

Roll on summer