Caught in its own time-warp, the 2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Reloaded Edition actually commemorated a 996 used in the movie shoot. The post-production delay benefited the bike, with new testastretta engine and 123 hp. This example has under 2,500 miles and has been carefully kept.
2004 Ducati 998 Matrix Reloaded Edition for sale on eBay
Probably the ultimate development of the 916 family without resorting to -R or -SPS spending, the 998 transitioned the desmoquattro to the narrow-head engine, with its reduced valve angles and longer maintenance intervals. Power and torque are a little beyond what’s fun on the road, but suspension and brakes are nicely spec’ed, with Showa fork, Öhlins monoshock, and 320mm Brembo brakes. Looks are classic superbike, though in a strange green paint.
Spotless and un-farkeled except for the Remus exhaust and clutch cover, this Matrix is ready for its close-up. The owner sticks to the facts in the eBay auction:
Ducati 998 matrix edition 1 of only 500 made. Special edition final year of the 998 which is one the best bikes Ducati ever made.
Miles: 2,410
Year 2004
Color: Green
Tires like new
Runs Great
Super cleanOriginal owner with clean title in hand. In excellent condition never dropped or abused. Garaged and parked inside.
Reviewed as a ride to look forward to every single time, the 998 could also be finicky and used an older cooling system design. But at or above highway speeds, pressure on the handgrips lightens up and miles reel off. This owner has set the buy-it-now right up there, but graciously provided the “make offer” button. In a rare event, new and newer superbikes shared the 2004 showroom, the 999 waiting in the wings and the seas just about to change. But this 998 might be just the thing for the back-to-basics, special edition, or anything-but-red fan …
-donn
You know the bike was cool, and the movie was cool, and even the chase scene in the movie was cool (for a motorcycle scene in an action movie anyway).
But Metallic Hunter Green? Not cool.
The Tamburini designed 916 was a revolution in styling when new, but when compared to more modern styling like the Panigale, the slab sides and angular fairing shapes are starting to look dated.
Metallic Hunter Green – the most vogue fad of late-90s popular colors for such extraordinary cars as Camrys, Civics and Ford F150s, wears like bedazzled hot pants on a soccer-mom. Maybe it’s because I owned one of these green atrocities of practicality well into the 2010’s that I am sensitive to the reality that a hunter green vehicle today, especially of an older body style, stands out as markedly dated in modern traffic.
Which is not to take anything away from a great and well preserved bike – I just can’t see paying more for green, versus the quintessential and classic Italian red.
We all know that the yellow Ducs are the fastest. 😉
-Mike
Gotta love the “No low ballers” caveat with an OBO price.