Tamburini’s Middle Child: 2001 Ducati 996 for Sale

2001 Ducati 996
Miles: 6,845
Third Owner
Clean Utah Title
Listed Price: $10,950 Or Best Offer
Listing Ends: December 6th, 2024

Introduced in 1999, the Ducati 996 is the bargain middle child of the Tamburini-designed superbike series: it’s not the iconic original 916, and not the final, fully-developed iteration, with all of the evolutionary updates found in the 998. All three look virtually identical, especially in terms of styling, and many parts do interchange, but they aren’t just the same bike with a displacement increase. There are differences between the frames and subtle updates to the bodywork. But, most significantly, changes to World Superbike rules allowed v-twins to run engines as large as 1000cc, and the 916 cases started cracking under stress when pushed beyond 955cc. The new 996cc engine used in the… 996 actually debuted in the earlier 916 SPS, albeit in a much higher state of tune. In the standard bike, the new engine made a claimed 112hp, which was pretty competitive at the time, although it sounds a bit bland by today’s standards. It’s more than enough to get you into trouble on any track or back road though, and the handling is superb, but lacks any sort of electronic safety net should you leave your lunchtime hang out with cold tires and whack the throttle fully open cranked over in the first corner…

Quick Details:

• Chassis #: ZDM1SB5T71B011486
• 6,845 Miles
• 996cc Desmoquattro DOHC L-Twin
• Six-Speed Transmission
• Red Paint w/White Accents
• Monoposto Tail Section
• Black Solo Seat
• Integrated Clear Windscreen
• Dual Headlights
• Marelli Electronic Fuel Injection
• Dual Exhaust System with Termignoni Mufflers
• Five-Spoke 17″ Marchesini Wheels
• Triple Disc Brakes w/Brembo Calipers
• Showa Fork
• Piggyback-Reservoir Öhlins Monoshock
• Oil Cooler
• Öhlins Steering Damper

This 2001 Ducati 996 Monoposto is powered by a 996cc Desmoquattro DOHC L-twin paired with a six-speed transmission and is finished in red with white accents over a silver trellis frame. Equipment includes a full fairing with an integrated clear windscreen, mirrors, and dual headlights as well as Marelli electronic fuel injection, a two-into-two exhaust system, an Öhlins steering damper, a Showa fork, an Öhlins rear monoshock, an aluminum single-sided swingarm, 17″ alloy wheels, triple disc brakes (2 front. 1 rear) with 4-piston Brembo calipers, and a monoposto tail section. The seller is the bike’s third owner with a clean Utah title.

The Five-spoke 17″ Marchesini wheels are mounted with Dunlop Sportmax Qualifiers -120/70 ZR17 in front and 180/55 ZR17 out back.Tires are in excellent shape with no cracks/checking with most of the mileage put on the previous set. However, date codes are 0206 on front and 0513 on back so buyer should plan on new rubber before any major riding. Suspension consists of an inverted 43mm Showa fork as well as a piggyback-reservoir Öhlins monoshock mounted to the single-sided aluminum swingarm. Braking is from gold-finished Brembo calipers mounted over a pair of drilled rotors up front in addition to a single Brembo caliper and drilled disc at the rear.

Clip-on handlebars are mounted below the upper triple clamp. The 180-mph speedometer is mounted next to a 13k-rpm tachometer, a coolant temperature gauge, and an array of indicator lights.

The liquid-cooled 996cc Desmoquattro DOHC L-twin features four desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder along with an external oil cooler, Marelli electronic fuel injection, and a two-into-two exhaust system with under-tail Termignoni Carbon Fiber mufflers. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a multi-plate dry clutch, a six-speed transmission, and a drive chain. The combo generates and delivers incredibly smooth and predictable power and acceleration throughout the rpm range.Valves were adjusted in November 2021 (at approximately 6,500 miles).

Additional parts included with the sale: Fuel Tank, Front Fairing, Radiator/Oil Cooler Scoop, and a Biposto Tailpiece (see pics).

The motorcycle has been with the third and current owner since 2021. The three owners of this bike have been close friends for many years and there are no mysteries as to its history and caretaking. The motorcycle has been meticulously cleaned, maintained, and enjoyed since new. Always garage-kept, never tipped over, and with only three minor scuffs on the side panels as seen in the photos. This iconic Ducati is ready for its next caretaker.

This bike is listed as a standard Ducati 996, but it seems to me like it might be a 996S, unless one of the previous owners just updated a non-S model with an Öhlins shock and steering damper. Much of the seller’s description is pretty boilerplate stuff that a buyer would likely already know, but there are some significant tidbits included regarding maintenance and upkeep. Notably: the bike has had three owners to date, and all three know each other well. A very good sign I think. Overall, this isn’t a completely original example, but upgrades are of high quality and certainly suit the bike. The price also seems fair, considering what we’ve seen recently. I just really wish I’d gotten one a couple years ago when they were a couple grand cheaper…

-tad