Im looking at new bikes. Its been about 4 months since I sold my R6 and im starting to get old and dry. Seeing dickhead on brand new bikes that dont have a damn clue how to ride, plus a knob who I live near who owns a brand new 848 that is clueless has lead me to getting a bike, probably 12 months earlier than I would have otherwise.

I was looking at 600's again, litres, and some twins to mix it up. But it was brought to my attention on another local forum Im on that a bloke is selling a '99 996. Has 30km on it, but rebuilt 1000km ago due to a spill at EC that caused it to loose the bottom end bearing.

Its had a bit of work done to it, termo pipes, adjustable cam gears, pulleys, slipper clutch and basket etc. Bike is pretty clean in pics. Im thinking about looking at it next weekend.

Bike is making good power, full service history etc. Good bloke that owns it, real clean.

I however dont know fark all about Dukes. Especially older ones. Does anyone know anything that these bikes are known for - good/bad/indifferent? I know how to judge a bike based on engine/box/frame condition as Im fairly well mechanically minded. But are the 916/996 known for having the front end snap off at speed, will the swing arm just loosen itself off and when I mono it Ill end up on my head or what?

Any help would be appreciated. Cheers

Mate - i'd be speaking to the guy who did the rebuild on the engine. From experience's i've had - there are bugger all ppl around that can claim to be able to rebuild a modern ducati to same tolerances or better than the factory. The 996 as you already know is a derivative of the 916. The 916 was known to be bullet proof, the 996/999's - not so much. (I think wsbk were using up to 20 engines per weekend when racing that 996's etc - but of course at a crazy tune).
I'd be thinking long and hard about buying a rebuilt ducati - if the guy that did rebuild is qualified, sounds like he knows what he is doing, can produce receipts for everything - then i'd be a lot happier about buying as long as the price was right.
Freakin sexy bike tho....you'd better be single buying one of them
Si

I know they dont like an absolute belting like jap bikes do.

To be honest even my mates old man who has owned ducatis for years said anything prior to 1098 is too much trouble unless you really love your ducatis

I would be staying well clear of bikes that have been rebuilt..

Bloke that rebuilt the bike is a guy called Axel in Canberra. He is well respected for his work with Dukes up here. He has all the reciepts for the work done. It was rebuilt based on a freak coil failure. Short long of the story is it cracked the casing, oil on tyres, into T5 at EC low side. He was following an instructor on an old Z model so he wasnt going real quick. Frame and swing arm have been given the thumbs up by Axel as well.

Yoshi - 20 enginges a weekend. Bugger me, they would have been using several frames to be able to switch engines out in time for the next session. Thats crazy!

Although, you always here of horror stories of no matter what bike you ask about. I'll go have a look, but im not set on buying it.

They are damn nice looking bikes. May have a look at some 916's from what you have said Yoshi, might be a 'safer' option.

Also - get a few rides on some big V twins. If you've been used to screaming 4's for a while then a Big twin is completely differnent animal. Not better, not worse - but a lot of ppl love the top end rush a 4 cylinder bike CAN ONLY give, while some ppl find the lazy V twin low down grunt addictive. I had a SV1000 for a while...but i missed the top end rush. But couple days ago I took a VTR for a ride and I could almost be tempted back to the lazy side...almost...
Si

If only they made a naked VTR thou....

With Ducati going 1200cc + with their twins, wont be long before Honda does somethin similar i reckon. There are rumours flying around at moment about a V5....albeit in what guise ? CBR12 or VFR1000....either way, open the pipes up and you will have one very unique sounding bike with tourqe to match...
Si