2002 DUCATI 998R

Year: 2002

Make: Ducati

Model: 998R

Engine Capacity: 999cc

KMS: 9761

Rego: 19/6/2021

In 2002, the 998R was Ducati’s halo sportbike. The Italian firm released just 700 examples of the model, which ended up being the last variant of the 916 lineage before the 999 took over in 2003. Cosmetic changes over the 998 were minimal but the Testastretta motor put out much more power – up to 139 ponies.

Of all of sport bike manufacturers, Ducati seems to have been the only one that focused on a single concept: a luscious, 90 degree twin with desmo valve actuation. From that point onward, anything goes – and Ducati went truly radical in evolving this concept. From the original two-valve, air-cooled twins to the legendary 851, to the groundbreaking 916 series, Ducati invented – and then reinvented – their version of the superbike. And since 2000, the bike to have within the Ducati lineup has always been the “R” model.

The R designates something special, some mad technical wizardry under the covers, and lots of carbon fiber. Once the stuff of aerospace, carbon has become the foundation on which fast motorcycles are born. Today’s example is a 998R, the second “R” in the series (following the 2001 996R). This model is seen by the Tamburini faithful as the last of the 916-derived bikes.

Unlike many badge-engineered models (i.e. branding and “limited edition” number plate), the R bikes are special; they vary drastically from the standard Ducati models. In the case of the 998R, that means a different set of engine cases with a deeper sump, a significantly different bore and stroke (104.0 mm × 58.8 mm – which actually displaces 999 cc), and trick titanium internals. This is the Testastretta engine evolution that would go on to power the 999R.

This piece of Ducati mastery needs to be seen to be believed!

Come into the garage today for a test ride of this insane custom machine.

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