Unique Bikes & Auction: Ducati 916

By: Guy Allen

Date: 21.11.2023

Ducati's seminal Tamburini design is very much a collectable.

What's happening in the world of two wheels?

It took a while – and longer than we expected – but Ducati’s 916 V-twin superbike is now very much on the collector radar.

Collectability is one of those borderline intangible things that is influenced by a host of factors. Included among them is desirability, popularity when new, rarity, physical beauty and race success. 

In the case of the 916, it’s now widely regarded as one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made. The creator of the legendary lines was Massimo Tamburini, (RIP) himself a colourful character with a long motorcycle CV, including MV Agusta’s revival F4 series.

Two examples are shown together here: 1994 Ducati 916 and 2006 MV Agusta F4 1000 Nero.

Launched in 1994, the 916 featured Ducati’s Desmoquattro eight-valve desmodromic, liquid-cooled, V-twin 916cc engine tied to a six-speed transmission. Power in the base model Strada was a claimed 84kW (114hp).

Pricing started at a hefty $25,000 plus on-road costs. Add another $10k for a Senna replica, or a full-house SPS superbike replica.

And speaking of superbikes, this represented an incredible period of dominance by the factory, with five out of six world titles from 1994 through to 1999. Four were with Briton Carl Fogarty and one with Australian Troy Corser (pictured).

In case you were wondering, it was American John Kocinski who broke up the straight run of titles in 1997, with a Honda VTR1000 SP1 – another V-twin.

A 916 is one of those machines you buy for the occasional fang and to look at. The full-on race-style seating position isn’t user-friendly, though the power delivery and handling are delightful. They’re an exceptional mount on a track.

Prices are all over the place. The valuable machines at the moment are very early-build Stradas, Sennas, plus SP and SPS variants. About $30k is a starting point . 

More at AllMoto.com.

MARKET NEWS

There is a disconnect going on between the Australian classic motorcycle market and those in the UK and USA.

Traditionally, we’ve seen the overseas scene pull stronger prices for internationally ‘important’ bikes, such as green frame Ducati 750SS, and roughly equivalent prices for mid-range lots. Recently we’ve seen mid-range prices plummet overseas while remaining high here.

Pictured is a good example: A 1974 Triumph T140, aka a Bonneville 750, which in Australia is worth low to mid-teens. It recently sold in the USA, via Bring a Trailer, for just AU$8100.

There are many similar results. A first model 1975 Honda Gold Wing in great shape went for AU$7500 through Hemmings, while a 1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 850 went for AU$21,100 through BaT.

More at AllMoto.com

From Unique Cars #484, Oct 2023

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