Following Ducati’s street success with the WSBK look-alike 916, the 996 was a welcome displacement and torque increase, and the -S variant had 123 hp courtesy of higher compression cylinders, and some nice carbon components. The 996 cc V-twin was bumped up to 11.5:1 compression for the S, and brought 73 ft.-lbs. of torque to the corner exit. The steel trellis frame was only lightly updated from the popular 916, but the -S has Ohlins monoshock and steering damper, with improved 43mm Showa forks. Brakes are top-line Brembo, dual 320mm front disks with 220mm rear. While the base model had a pillion seat, the more purposeful -S was monoposto, with racey white tail above the underseat mufflers.
With only break-in miles, this 996S should be super nice, and it is. One would expect evidence of 15 years of storage, but it’s immaculate, appearing stock and undamaged. Here are the owner’s notes:
Low mile super clean Ducati 996s, bike #62. Purchase includes original carbon plate/ signal mount and steel clutch cover. Stand in pic not included. Fresh plugs, fluids are clean and ready to go. Never wrecked, never tracked, title in hand. Fully serviced and ready to ride!
996s upgrades over standard model include:
-carbon fiber parts: airbox, front fender, dash surround, chain guard, tag/signal mount
-ohlins rear shock and steering damper
-Marchesini 5 spoke wheels
-Monoposto rear subframe
Plenty of Ducati superbikes have spent most of their time on display, though it’s not their best use, and my choice for the dining room would be a bone stocker without all the little farkles owners inevitably add on. That would be a nice future for this sweetheart, or set about replacing the cam belts and tires and enjoy the late fall. The Alabama owner asks $8,500 and can be reached through the Craigslist ad here…
-donn
