2001 Ducati 996S

Ducati 996S

Make Model	Ducati 996 S
Year	2001
Engine	Four stroke, 90°“L”twin cylinder, DOHC, desmodromic 4 valve per cylinder.
Capacity	996 cc / 60.8 cu in
Bore x Stroke	98 x 66 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio	11.5:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	Synthetic, 15W-50
Induction	Weber Marelli CPU 5.9 M, 54 mm throttle bodies
Spark Plugs	Champion RA59GC
Ignition	Digital CDI
Battery	12V, 16AH
Starting	Electric
Max Power	90.4 kW / 123 hp @ 8500 rpm
Max Torque	99 Nm / 73.0 @ 7000 rpm
Clutch	Hydraulically activated dry clutch
Transmission	6 Speed
Primary Drive Ratio	1.84:1 (32/59)
Gear Ratios	1st 2.466 / 2nd 1.765 / 3rd 1.350 / 4th 1.091 / 5th 0.958 / 6th 0.857:1
Final Drive Ratio	2.4:1 (15/36)
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Tubular trestle frame with upper section made of high-strength steel
Front Suspension	43 mm Öhlins shock, adjustable for compression and rebound damping
Front Wheel Travel	127 mm / 4.9 in
Rear Suspension	Öhlins mono shock, rising rate, adjustable for compression and rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Front Brakes	2x 320 mm Discs, 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 220 disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Wheel	Alloy, 3.50 X 17 in.
Rear Wheel	Alloy, 5.50 X 17 in.
Front Tyre	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre	190/50 ZR17
Dimensions	Length 2095 mm / 79.1 in Width 690 mm / 27.2 in Height 1090 mm / 42.9 in
Wheelbase	1410 mm / 55.5 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Dry Weight	190 kg / 419 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal
Consumption Average	5.5 L/100 km / 18.2 km/l / 42.8 US mpg / 51.4 Imp mpg
Standing ¼ Mile	10.7 sec
Top Speed	259 km/h / 161 mph

the first Ducati Superbike, the 851, was launched in 1987, this bike was followed with the 888, 916, 748 and the 996. The 916 won several worldwide awards including 4 “Motorcycle of the Year” awards from MCN magazine. The 996 replaced the 916 in 1998. An entry into the legend of Italian motorcycling racing, an aggressive, high performance and beautifully designed machines, closely derived from Ducati’s currently competing in the WSB. Aimed at purists who want everything from a bike with its compact design and slim silhouette to provide superior handling at speeds up to 170 mph. Combines advanced thermodynamics of 4-valve per cylinder with unsurpassed efficiency of Desmodromic valve system.

By 1998, the 916 was assailed by litre V-twins from several manufacturers, including Suzuki's TL1000R and Aprilia's RSV Mille, both more powerful than the 916.

Luckily for Ducati, it had already prepared a larger engine, in the shape of the 996cc engine used in the 916SPS. By the end of 1998, Ducati had released the 996 Biposto, an updated 916 with a 996cc engine. The 996 Biposto engine incorporated some features from the 916 design, and some from the SPS motor, including the pistons and crankcases. Other detail engine modifications included an updated fuel-injection system and more powerful alternator.

The 996 chassis was not dramatically changed from the 916 - there was little wrong with the old bike's handling. Nevertheless, new brakes from Brembo gave even better stopping performance, and other minor chassis modifications refined the handling and cut weight over the 916 by 5kg (1 lib).

On the road, the 996 was much stronger than the 916, although it had less top-end power than the race-tuned 916SPS. And while the Aprilia RSV Mille and Suzuki's TL1000R still offered stronger engine performance, neither offered the mix of styling and track composure to match the Ducati.

For 2001, the last year of 996 production, Ducati offered three different versions.

The base 996 was similar to the 2000 bike, but with an Öhlins rear shock. A new 996 S was introduced, which had the 92kW (123bhp) 996SPS engine, Öhlins shock and Showa forks.

But the most interesting machine was the limited edition 996R, which featured the new Testastretta 'narrow head' engine. Produced to homologate the Testastretta engine for racing, the 996R was a SI7,000 special. Fitted with full Öhlins suspension, carbon-fibre bodywork and the 101kW (135bhp) 998cc Testastretta engine, the 996R was the bike on which Troy Bayliss won his 2001 World Superbike title.