Members Review - Tony's Ducati 996

[Tony]

Hi to anyone reading this.

I thought I would expand the 996 section a little.

Having now owned one for the last year and a half I still get the hairs on the back of my neck standing up when I look at it, usually just after ive cleaned it.

Then the thrill riding the machine, from the starting roar of the V twin to the powerful kick in the butt as you twist the throttle and head off down the road, its what does it for me.

Ive a 2000 996 bipostal in ducati yellow, (have you ever tried to find that colour anywhere?) ive done some work and made some alteration to the machine (all myself). the biggest change in performance has come from 2 things, firstly no matter how much you love your machine, on a standard duke trundling around town it can sometimes act like a tractor. 30 and under is not a nice speed on a duke. I fitted a power commander, what a difference smooths it out almost completely.

I have 2 sets of pipes for my duke the road legal terminogis and a pair of leovinci titanium slipons, which sound just so good. swapping them across is now easy, swap pipes load a new map and the duke is running as sweetly on either pipes.

the second change which has given me just so much more confidence is my slipper clutch, to be honest when I bought it I wasnt sure what it would do, I just knew it would look really cool but since fitting it, what a difference. make a mistake and youve a better chance of saving it before it spits you off.

ive done quite a few other changes to my machine, which im not going to go into now but maybe another time if I can find someone to listen.....ANYONE... :P

let here what changes youve made to your pride and joy.....

all the best riding this summer

[Dan]

Hey Famine, I'm listening! Bought a slipper clutch for my 748 about a year ago and makes a big difference when changing down a gear at high revs.

[Tony]

They make a huge difference, the torque you get on a V twin can quite happily spit you off if you get it really wrong in a corner. I suppose it just lets you get away with more (or worse riding ).

well as ive an audience, ive also put bigger carbon airtubes on the bike taken off the front indicators and mounted some leds in the wing mirrors, ive used the origional 996 mirrors put the leds in them and then had them srayed yellow to match the bike. at the back ive had made a much smaller numberplate bracket, so it tucks up right under the pipes using a white led to light the plate.

my most recent change is ive now removed the back indicators, and incorporated them within the rear lights you have back lights brake lights and indicators all in the back unit, looks cool, but not sure that im totally happy with it, ill give it time.

ive put wavey disks on the front tried to get one for the rear but ive tried 3 and none fit. the next few things im after doing are, single seat unit, vented front mudguard and rear hugger all in carbon. other thoughts are messing around with the brake master cylinder and calipers but that will have to wait awhile.

[Dan]

The back end sounds pretty unique... Where are the pictures? :P

I'll chat more later if I get chance, cos I'm at work at the minute..

[Tony]

ive added a couple of pics, but its made me realise ive not got any of the bikes new bits and pieces, ill get some shots together and add them.

[Dan]

Cool... I'll have a look!

[Dan]

Cracking photo's....
Who the hell is Jo? Nice personality I'm sure!!!

[Verne]

Hi Guys,

Am I glad to read the post from Famine and the replies from Dan.
I have been watching this site irregularly for some time and was so dissappointed with what was being not said, and as a new owner at the time of a 996 I was a bit overawed and didn't post one myself, shame on me.
But Famine, a breath of fresh air mate, I've always wanted to chat about the bike with, but not too many of my biking buddies have one, and my local DOC doesn't even bother to post in the DOC quarterly mag, some enthusiasm for the marque.

I tried to find the photties of your steed but was unable to find them. May I take a peek?
My beaut is red and its a Bip like yours, but Dec 2001.
I haven't done anything, it came with 50mm Termi's, but no Power Commander, I have added some carbon trinkets to protect the ignition area, some frame plugs and a smoky double bubble screen oh, and a hugger. And some unimaginably sticky rubber. With a reduced life expectancy.
I love it.
Completely and totally impractical except for progressing in a safe and effecient manner and looking exceptionaly stunning when as you say, its just been cleaned. Oh and the sun is shining.

And amazingly enough, with the 3-4k miles I do every year, the servicing costs haven't been too extravagant. We must realise though that with owning one of these thorobreds comes a heavy responsibility to keep it clean, perform basic maintenance and serviced according to specs. Do that and the old girl shouldn't let you down and will give plenty of days in the saddle doing what comes naturally, progressing in a safe and efficient manner!

I got some piccies of my beasty if ya wanna take a peek, its had it nearside Termi removed for some repair work, the band at the end snapped where it is bolted to the offside can band in the middle, bust a rivet too. Had it sorted today by a very nice enginner specialising in bikey bits and other interesting things. Gonna fit it back tomorrow.

Verne.

[manicmedic]

Great to keep in touch and hear about the bikes.

I've always ridden standard bikes with no mods at all. Dan knows I'm no posser (unlike him) and I've always found the power and handling more than I can cope with. I have never ridden a Duke so I'm interseted to hear about the power commander.

Are they realy that bad at low speed / revs?

I think the wavey discs are pretty cool, strange that you can't get a rear one to fit. Anyone know of a supplier to help him out (let's find the guy the parts, that's what this place is all about).

If you put pics of your bikes on a website then it would be good to post a link or the url and then others can drool over your mods (not the fishtail parker type) and pass their views too.

End of rambling gibberish,

Manic

[Tony]

Hi guys.

first time ive logged on since comming back from my Mugello trip. wow what a time, me and a mate decided to go down there for the GP. great ride and a good time was had by all. Unfortunately not on a Ducati (not the ideal tool for a trip that long).

Its good to see some replies and other comments. keep em comming!!!


and to manicmedic, yes mine really was that bad at lower revs, however anything over 40-50 and they smooth right out thats the main benefit ive seen from the power commander plus being able to change the map easily. it also makes up for my bad riding in slower corners :P .

the pics of my bike are in the album section, however the 2 ive put on there are when the bike was in its origional state, ive got to get some pics of all the bits and pieces. which when ive done them ill post them on the site.


What rubber have people been putting on their 996's and what sort of results have they been having?

[Dan]

Famine, I can’t wait to see this machine of yours in all its updated glory, it sounds great, especially the wavey discs! I’ve got the standard Brembo discs on my 748 but noticed a 996 parked outside ‘Vaughans Bar’ in Torquay on Sunday that had a Brembo brake system with wavey discs front and rear, it looked superb. Next time I’m down there I’ll try and seek out the owner to discover where he bought the rear disc and if he had any issues fitting it.

I know you wanted TYRE advice for 996’s specifically, so not sure if my experience on a 748 will help, I’ve had:
Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa’s
An excellent tyre in the dry but I thought they took a while to warm up, terrible if you’re caught in the wet. However these tyres were on my bike from the previous owner who’d used the bike on the track so the tyres were past their best.
Dunlop 208RR (Now the D208ZR I think)
By far the best tyres I’ve had on the old beast. I bought a pair fitted for £220, and these babies were excellent confidence tyres on the street. However I managed to get a nail in each tyre at 70mph (honest) on the A38, after they’d been on the bike for 3 weeks and I had to change them for the following.
Bridgestone Battlax BT-010
A good tyre for all conditions and bloody cheap at the minute. Gives reasonable confidence midcorner but gonna get some Dunlops ASAP.

Hope it helps
Dan

PS: Just to repeat Famine’s comment about PHOTOS, this site has an album section where you can post any generic Ducati images of your bike or anybody else’s, the link is on the top navigation bar. It also has a user specific ‘Personal Gallery’ area which will accommodate hundreds of pictures of your own bike/s and the link can be found on the ‘Album’ main page.

Manic, I know you want a Ducati, so get the credit card out!!!

[Tony]

just for you Dan(and anyone else who wants to look) ive added a picture to my personal directory. which you may find of interest.

im using Dunlop sports at the momment on the 996 and they work great going to need some new ones soon though so good to start asking around.

if I can at the weekend ill take some snaps of some of the new bits and pieces and add them to my album.

[Dan]

Famine, you keep some great company. I'm pretty dam sure I won't be able to get my girlfriend to pose for the same photo. However my girlfriend did try and show some enthusiasm regarding the bike back in April, she made three comments:
1. It's a nice colour.
2. It looks funny, should it have hub-caps?
3. Does the petrol go in here? (Pointing at the fuel tank, well done.)
My girlfriend has a Phd and I love her dearly... honest! Yet I'm sure you'll understand why I deny the pretty thing a ride on the back and have invested in a single seat setup!

[Tony]

As much as I love my Duke they have a number of drawbacks, one of them is there not great for pillions, ive a second bike a yam thunderace which is alot better for the passenger however I think my missus isnt going to be overly happy when I swap it for something else an R1 or Blade being at the top of the list

[manicmedic]

Dan the credit card is busted! The boys have seen to that.

Just remember that by the time you've settled down, bought a house and that brainy girlie of yours has convinced you by means fair or foul to have kids, the 748 will be a distant memory.

I would probably by one of two bikes ..... a hornet, then my girlie and mother of my horrors, could ride it too, or a big supermoto. Life on bikes has always been transport 1st and fun 2nd. I'll be looking for a fun bike when I can afford it ....... best be a Husky then

Maybe I could blag a blast on your 748 I'd change my mind.

manic