[tboooe]

I have an opportunity to acquire a 1998 916 SPS. I only know about the mechanical things that make it unique from what I have read on the internet. When I consider purchasing a collectible bike, I like to also learn about the other historical facts and circumstances that helps to complete the story behind it. In particular I try to get bikes that have some sort of historical significance either to Ducati or to motorcycling in general. So that being said, I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who knows a thing or two about this model year SPS could further enlighten me.

Thank you.

 

[ProphetPVD]

I have an opportunity to acquire a 1998 916 SPS. I only know about the mechanical things that make it unique from what I have read on the internet. When I consider purchasing a collectible bike, I like to also learn about the other historical facts and circumstances that helps to complete the story behind it. In particular I try to get bikes that have some sort of historical significance either to Ducati or to motorcycling in general. So that being said, I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who knows a thing or two about this model year SPS could further enlighten me.

Thank you.

This is a pretty good primer...

1998 Ducati 916 SPS #293 – Iconic Motorbike Auctions

 

[Workshirk]

The 98 model had a couple of upgrades from the 97; it had a new lighter frame and Ti con-rods. It also had bhp in the same sort of region as the later 996R. If you want it to say 916 on the side this was and still is the ultimate - although the decals on the 97 were arguably better looking…buy it👍🏻

 

[tboooe]

although the decals on the 97 were arguably better looking

Agreed, I do really like the old school Ducati/Cagiva font.

 

[belter]

the '98 sps i've had apart have had steel rods. not seen any with ti rods.

i just don't get the rubbish those idiots put in blurbs when they're selling stuff. "The SPS struggled to go slow – media all over the country said their test bikes stalled at idle." means someone with no idea has been at it. you've have to really try to screw it up to make an sps stall at idle. set up right, the sps was the nicest engine in the range - from bottom to top. with the cam timing done they were great engines. sps cams should have been in the base model, and the st4s.

last year with floating cast iron discs and 3 spoke wheels.

 

[ProphetPVD]

i just don't get the rubbish those idiots put in blurbs when they're selling stuff. "The SPS struggled to go slow – media all over the country said their test bikes stalled at idle." means someone with no idea has been at it. you've have to really try to screw it up to make an sps stall at idle. set up right, the sps was the nicest engine in the range - from bottom to top. with the cam timing done they were great engines. sps cams should have been in the base model, and the st4s.

Hahahahahahaha... you're right. I wasn't sure what you were referring to so I went back and actually read the text. All I can say is you hit the nail on the head in your first sentence... "blurbs when they're selling stuff". It's sales speak... should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Or do what I do... ignore the text and just drool over the pretty pictures.

 

[PeterS]

I had the late Pete Smith do the cam timing on mine, by far my most favourite bike, it just has such an angry animal feel to it, but it idles perfectly.

 

[XLR8R]

This is a good article on the SP, SPA, and SPS bikes from the 916 era.

Ducati 916 SP/SPS - Ultimate Desmoquattro Superbikes - Part II

Part II of our profile of the Ducati 916 SP and SPS, the ultimate evolutions of the Desmoquattro platform.

www.odd-bike.com

 

[tboooe]

This is a good article on the SP, SPA, and SPS bikes from the 916 era.

Ducati 916 SP/SPS - Ultimate Desmoquattro Superbikes - Part II

Part II of our profile of the Ducati 916 SP and SPS, the ultimate evolutions of the Desmoquattro platform.

www.odd-bike.com

@XLR8R I was hoping you would chime in. I have admired your SPS restoration for a while. Mind if I send you a PM? I have some more questions.

 

[XLR8R]

@XLR8R I was hoping you would chime in. I have admired your SPS restoration for a while. Mind if I send you a PM? I have some more questions.

Sure, no problem.

 

[amullo]

Owned a -98 916SPS several years and the only bike I regret selling.
The SPS engine came out in -97 but that year Ducati also made the SP/SP3 which is the old 916cc engine.
The -98 is the last year with the 916 badge, only year with the minimalist “only Ducati” on the fairings. My -98 had Titanium conrods and made 125 rwhp after setting the cams to 108 centerlines.
Mine was upgraded during its life with me to a host of good stuff.. Marchesini Magwheels, carbonfibre/kevlr JHP bodywork (998 style upper with no big airducts, but 996 lowers with airducts), upgraded ISR brakes with radial master, revalved forks and a bunch of other stuff.. Still didnt hang with a bone stock 1098 when those came out.
The bike is special and nothing sounds like the sps engine tuned just right. It feels special and it looks great, but the -98 isnt a showy sps.. its the gentlemans sps. It only says it on the top yoke and nowhere else. The forks are showa, the steeringdamper the standard non adjustable. The rear is Öhlins, but only the yoke and the castiron brakediscs and sps-style exhaust shield are the only clues its a special edition.
Cf airbox, rear numberplate mount and front fender are understated.

would buy mine back in a heartbeat, but my 50-year old butt would wouldn’t thank me.

 

[XLR8R]

The SP3 was 1996…then the first SPS in 1997

 

[amullo]

The SP3 was 1996…then the first SPS in 1997

Yupp, but a close friend of mine had a -97 SP3 aswell.
Crazy times at Ducati/Cagiva.
My bike before my -98 916sps was a -97 748sp

 

[XLR8R]

There are cases where countries register a bike with a different model year (intentionally or unintentionally)…but Ducati didn’t produce a 1997 model year SP3.

 

[telecycle78]

The 98 model had a couple of upgrades from the 97; it had a new lighter frame and Ti con-rods. It also had bhp in the same sort of region as the later 996R. If you want it to say 916 on the side this was and still is the ultimate - although the decals on the 97 were arguably better looking…buy it👍🏻

The best decals came on the 95 916.