2002 saw Ducati introduce the testastretta engine into a production model, and work was wrapping up on the succeeding 999. The 998 was the best of the 916/996 chassis, with the 123 hp EVO engine, and reviewed as the bike to own once in your life.
2002 Ducati 998 for sale on eBay
With its revised valve train, the 998cc narrow head motor was heavily oversquare and delivered rated power at 10,000 rpm, with a wide torque band. The now iconic trellis frame and underseat exhaust hid the details beautifully. 43mm Showa forks are complemented by the Ohlins monoshock and steering damper. 320mm Brembo brakes are up front, with 220mm single rear. The classic superbike fairing was available with one or two seats, this one a monoposto with a white number area front and rear.
Evidently a two-owner bike, this 998 has a little over 7,000 miles and looks super clean. Though the mind wanders to the dark side when a lower-mile bike has had a repaint, it looks like a nice upgrade from the factory paint. And while we could quibble about the yellow accents, the unfaired photos allay most fears of damage history. From the eBay auction:
Up for sale here is my beautiful, immaculate 2002 998 Monoposto. Previous owner added the following items: Termi slip-ons, adjustable levers, Ohlins steering damper, fender eliminator, Samco hoses, upgraded clutch slave, and a few carbon bits. He also had all bodywork painted by a highly-regarded painter in the northeast who made subtle changes to the “Ducati 998” font on the side fairings and pinstripes framing the white number plates. Aesthetics are obviously in the eye of the beholder but I find both to be much better looking than the stock look. OEM wheels are also powder-coated black.
Thankfully this 998 has been cared for, with good attention to maintenance and nice farkles all over. The lightweight battery and keyless gas cap are unmentioned but great mods. Before the jump to overwhelming power that followed a few years later, the 998 was the ultimate machine of the game changing 916/996 family. Factory jitters forced the 998 to share the showroom with the 999 in 2003, and was available by special order in 2004-5. The 999 took over factory race efforts and but the 998 did well for privateers in the supersport classes.
-donn
Boom-sold.
Two take aways from this one: first, monoposto Ducatis just look so much cleaner, simpler, and racier than bipostos. Truer design purity and intent in other words. Two: even providing just three flashed out pictures with the bodywork removed says a lot about the ownership care taken and exterior condition of the bike, and has apparently paid off. So simple. Why are so few sellers willing to take a half an hour to best present their goods to a world wide audience?
Seller here – Huge fan of the site! There’s a happy ending to this one: the original owner of this bike (who I purchased it from 2.5 years ago) found it on eBay and ended up buying it back from me. I’m sad to see her go but am glad to see her going (back) to a great home. Thanks V!