Ducati 996 reviews

So, my wife got licensed which necessitated finding another scooter. We've got to go for rides together and one Buell S-1 between two riders just doesn't cut it. Being somewhat of a Buell snob, I figured I'd be in for an XB12R. I couldn't find one to ride at a dealership and there was no way I was going to get stuck with a bike weaker than my old S-1 ala the XB9. Ducati had always seemed to me the mythical creature in the motorcycle world. Even so, I found an add on e-bay for a likely candidate and tagged it never consciously thinking I'd buy it. Things change at the stroke of a few computer keys however. Am I glad I picked up a 996? Absolutely. Mind you, I haven't taken a ride in the daylight yet. But after two evening rides it is already apparent that what is written on the 996 is true to one extent or another. The 996 engine is one amazing piece of machinery. Having riden a Buell for years, I am very partial to motors that produce solid torque. Peak HP numbers are informative but a big fat torque curve is what you'll feel out on the road. The Ducati feels like a big twin the way it belts out torque but doesn't leave you hanging when the revs start climbing. Plus, vibration levels are so mild it's difficult to believe that the engine is actually a twin. But the SOUND.... Both on and off throttle the exhaust note lets bystanders know something serious is approaching or receding. Shifting the Ducati through the gears is a pleasure courtesy of a velvety transmission. Gear selection is positive and smooth. Shifter effort is virtually nil. But you certainly know that you've shifted gears instead of wondering if you grabbed a different ratio. The clutch takes some practice. Buell/Harley Davidson might not do some things right but their wet clutch is smoother and easier to modulate than Ducati's version. And it makes no noise. That said, anybody who complains about Ducati having a heavy clutch pull has never worked a Harley-type clutch. Riding position is aggressive but far more comfortable than what I was led to believe by reviews I have read in the past. The seat is nice and wide but high. The bars are low. Therefore, weight is focused on the wrists. I'll take sore wrists over a sore ass any day. Overall, I'm impressed by the 996. It is a high performance machine that was built to deliver a sensational riding experience. don't buy one if you're not willing to make a physical investment to get to that riding experience. Any engineer worth his salt will tell you that there's no free lunch when it comes to design. I for one believe that the price of admission in this case is well worth it. Show less

The power delivery on this bike is simply so sublime, so deceptive, 3 secs after you leave the light and you see 65+ mph, and not even popping a wheelie while at it! It's an odd feeling! Nice creamy midrange with fantastic VTwin song. Keep it in third gear and you'll be a happy camper in most situations. Ohlins suspension! OMG! Talk about flying over bumps. These babes soak up nasty terrain with class. Magnesium wheels are highly recommended; it brings the handling of the bike up to an even better level. Simply unbelievable. This is a keeper. Warning: This bike will NOT suffer fools lightly. It is hard to turn with stock wheels, and will track a line to a hilt. So you have to be more methodical while riding it compared to other bikes. But the rewards will be very satisfying indeed! Show less

The 996 is simply amazing. Period. I only ride the canyons, where the 996 stability and handling are unreal. The bike is confidence inspiring. I don't ride around town on the bike at all and don't travel the freeways unless necessary. With that said, when I ride the twisties, the riding position is fine. The first week or two I owned the bike my wrists were a little tender. After that, no worries at all. Buy one, I did. This is my first v-twin and my first Italian bike. I'll never go back. Show less

This bike is heavy, i am blatntly guna get dis, but in contrast the ducati 749s is better...... and so is the 999s Show less

ducati,zen incarnate,the moment you own it,clip ons-dont ever let them go.you only get one life, your chance ,live it in grey or "full on" rainbow colors ,hear your breath, feel your heart beat,rise to the challenge,overcome the obstacles,reap the rewards, your on a 996. yeah!!!!! Show less

If you like windey roads and you dont mind leaning at 45 degrees all the time, this is the bike for you. It might not have the power of a GSXR1300 in straight line but then again, how many roads are just straight lines? I know what I'd prefer to be on. Show less

Having owned almost 100 motorcycles in my 29 years of riding i have had a lot of fine machines, like R1, Fazer 1000, V-Max, GSXR1100, RD500LC, RG500, etc. etc., but my 2001 748s is the best. The handling, especially once set up for my lean 150 pounds weight is fantastic, it sounds awesome with the Termignoni carbon cans, it looks just incredible even after ten years of production and the relative lack of power simply allows you to open it up and rev it like a four. Also it does not have the torque of the 998 that can sometimes get you out of shape. With another thousand revs and 10 more bhp, i am in for the new short-stroke 749 ASAP Show less

My wife and I have been riding bikes for years now and have owned several bikes GSX-r ,R6, ZX 6R's and vintage bikes ie Cafe Racers. And the Ducati is by far the best handling biker I have ever rode it might not be the fastests bike I have owned but who wants to ride in a straight line anyway real racing is done on a track not the drag strip this is where the Duc excels in places like VIR. Anyone can ride fast and not turn the bike a real motorcyclist can take hairpins and the chicanes. Newman Show less

I bought the 996S recently in exchange for a 2000 model GSXR750Y. I never thought I'd change my Gixxer, it is and was fantastic in every respect and probably slightly quicker top end. So why did I change? From the first test ride and even from my first moment I sat on the Duc I knew it was for me. I molded into the seat and it welcomed me. It felt so much smaller, like a 250 GP racer with superbike power. In wet conditions I ccan ride it faster and safer than my 750 and in the dry it just feels more planted and gives me more feedback. But more than all that I just love the sounds and the useable power. V-twin torque makes up for the lack of top end. Saying that I never ride through town if I can avoid it as the clutch is very heavy. I don't find it any more uncomfortable than any other superbike - I'm 5' 10" and 70Kg. After the test ride I couldn't stop comparing it to everything else I was riding and so I bought it. Every ride is a pleasure and it sounds really cheesy but I feel one with it. It's the only way I can describe the experience. With all the critiques slating it for being too focused and not as good as an R1 - buy an R1 and join the masses. The R1 is certainly a top bike. If you're a real superbike fan and love scratching through the country (or canyons for the US) I defy you to ride a Duc 996 and not want it over your Jap 4 cyl. Cheers, Ziggi Show less

I bought my 01 996 mono (in yellow, of course!) 7 weeks ago and this thing ROCKS! The sound is amazing once you hit the mid-range. You can hear the intakes roar, the pipes growl and its love at first twist of the throttle. Forget those who complain about the cost, you either can afford it or you cant. If you can't afford, dont condemn it! I can't park it anywhere without gathering a crowd, really! People will cross the street and walk up and start chatting about it, everyone loves it and it rides as good as it looks. Rock solid in the corners, gobs of grunt, stylish as hell and wickedly fast. Forget the whiners who complain you should buy an R1, who complain about wrist pain... Why do you ride? I ride because I love it, and my riding is mostly in the hills, mountains and along the central Ca. coast. This bike is PERFECT for that, but it isn't a cruiser and it is a ZERO COMPROMISE BIKE. Complaining about a 996 is like complaining that a Ferrari is too small, or that a Porsche Turbo gets poor gas mileage and has too small of a back seat! Its ridiculous. Ride hard. Mike Show less