Ducati 916SP3

[Tonka]

Can anyone tell me if Ducati did indeed release a limited edition 916 SP3?

I know they did a SP and then the SPS but not so sure about a SP3.

[Dukerdr]

According to Ian Falloon, the 916SP became the 916 SP3 in 1996. There is a numbered plaque on the top triple clamp.

There were 54 916 SPA models made for America as a homologation special. They were 955cc, and are rare. They actually have a ZDM955 engine number.



hope this helps



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[rramseyr]

Originally Posted by Dukerdr

There were 54 916 SPA models made for America as a homologation special. They were 955cc, and are rare. They actually have a ZDM955 engine number.



hope this helps



,

You are correct... I owned one for a short time. Didn't really look all that special. No number plate, no Ohlins Front or steering and no light rims. The ones in the photo were after market addition. The engine was the jewel.

916/955 SPa

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Tonka

Can anyone tell me if Ducati did indeed release a limited edition 916 SP3?

The 916SP from 1996 was badged as a SP3 (it has this designation on the triple clamp plate).

The 1994 and 1995 versions were just called the 916SP (there is no SP2 to my knowledge). The 916SP and 916SP3 are both fitted with the 916cc engine (the 916SPA has a 955cc engine and the 916SPS has a 996cc engine).

All examples of the 916SP3 I have sighted don't really distinguish themselves from the earlier 916SP models (they are still far removed from the Strada models of the day). All 916SP and 916SP3 models have 3 spoke wheels, Showa front forks, Ohlins rear shock and the special SP spec motor complete with P8 ECU.

However the 916SP3 comes from the darkest days before the TPG buy in and as a result have a reputation for having a variable specification depending on what was available on the day. For example all examples have the plastic air-box (earlier SP models often got a carbon air-box) some have the cast iron front discs others don't, an SP should have Showa Special forks (an upgrade from the normal Showa forks) I wouldn't guarantee all have the special forks.

Andrew...

[hardcore hyper 666]

At the moment there is a 916 SP3 for sale in the UK:

Ducati 916 sp3 | eBay

[Tonka]

Yep, that's the one that got me asking the question funnily enough.