1994 Ducati 916 Motorcycle

Description

One of Ducati’s all-time classics, the revolutionary 916 was designed by Massimo Tamburini over a six-year period and led to a new generation of sport bikes whose influence can still be seen today.  All modern Ducati engines are derivatives of the Pantah unit introduced in 1979, which used its camshafts to both open and close the engine's valves, eliminating the usual valve closing springs, a system called 'desmodromic'.  The 916’s liquid-cooled motor was a development of the 888, albeit with a longer stroke and steel Pankl con-rods, plus a new engine management system.  The Desmoquattro V-twin was suspended in a compact new frame featuring a single-sided swingarm and Showa forks, clothed in aggressively styled bodywork (all first year 916s were monopostos), featuring twin poly-ellipsoidal headlights and  an exhaust system exiting under the seat.  The special Brembo wheels were a hollow eliptical design, while the brakes were twin 320mm discs up front and a single 220mm disc at the rear.  Recognised with a bevy of awards, including ‘Motorcycle of the Year’ from virtually every bike magazine, the 916 was also featured in the Guggenheim Museum’s seminal The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition held in 1998, confirming its place in the history books.  The 916 also enjoyed a stellar motorsport career, with Troy Corser and Tory Bayliss dominating the World Superbike Championship between 1994 and 2001.  Already regarded as a modern classic, the ground-breaking 916 set new standards for motorcycle design and values can only rise in the future.