2002 Ducati 998

Year: 2002

Make: Ducati

Model: 998

Engine Capacity: 998cc

Odometer: 14,728 KMs

Rego Until: Not Registered

That's because the 2002 998 gets the Testastretta engine-just like the one that won the World Superbike championship in 2001 (in what was called the 996R). Ducati went with the time-honored bigger-bore/shorter-stroke method when it came time to extract more power, but the 998 is an entirely new engine, producing a claimed 123 (crankshaft) horsepower at 9750 rpm to the 996's 112 hp at 8500 rpm. Torque is, of course, also up, from 67 to 71 foot-pounds-at the same 8000 rpm. Overall, this 998 feels more like a 748 that swallowed a really big gulp of nitrous than it does a 996.

Unbelievably, the 916 has been around since 1994. That’s way back in the time when Yamaha’s FZR1000 was still the big dog in the show rooms. When released, the 916 didn’t revolutionize the sport bike sector, Honda had already done that with their Fireblade. What it did, however, is put that new definition of performance into perhaps the prettiest package of the decade. The 916 is still with us and it looks much the same as it did back in ’94. Most people generally agree that, almost ten years later, it looks up-to-date. The Ducati has enjoyed gradual updates year by year, and is still arguably at the top of its class.

Now that the history lesson’s over, what’s it like to ride? In a word, brilliant!. Yes, that’s it – BRILLIANT!

At this point I could save this file and end my report – anything said from now on is simply a variation of brilliant. But, OK, you probably haven’t ridden the bike so I’ll be sensible and run through this test from start to finish, starting with the engine. The gear box is smooth and precise and the clutch light and accurate. The bite point stayed in exactly the same place for the entire session. The engine seems much refined over early models, it’s far quieter than the original 916; the engine, gear box, clutch and exhaust – they all produce less clatter and bellow this year.

This isn’t a get-to-work ride, although some owners will no doubt commute on theirs, possibly because they just have to ride it again and again! But the 998 is also far from being a banzai, balls-out motorcycle – it’s actually very refined. This all-around user friendly feel is relatively new on a Ducati, leading one of the testers to comment on how it was getting to behave more and more like a Honda VFR800, a comment that didn’t actually go down too well with the Ducati factory guys present! It’s true though, this is the smoothest and most civilized version of the 916 ever released. But don’t worry, they haven’t washed the soul out of the machine – no way. This is still every bit a Ducati eight valve Desmo twin. It can still make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck in time-honored Ducati style.

This bike comes with loads of carbon extras, unfortunately no books and is a Japanese Import. Has fitted Termigoni Exhaust which turns this animal even more wild.

You can view this Motorcycle Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm. We are located at 1047 Bourke Street, Waterloo, NSW

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