900sl/916/996/998/999 Which one?

[Scoober1103]

I'm looking at adding a super bike to the garage and quite frankly I love them all! I would like one not only to ride but to also admire in what will start to be my collection. The only one I have ridden out of the above is the 900sl and as good ones of each round here are generally advertised for similar money depending on model variant and k's and as mentioned I love them all I am asking the greater community who have owned or ridden most which would make a better buy and why?

Cheers in advance and I look forward to the discussion.

Scoob.

[koko64]

1098!  

For the price, seriously.

[Speeddog]

999 are a PITA to service, and I don't enjoy their styling as much.

998 would be a little better, but it's still the first generation Testastretta, so PITA.

IMO, 996 is the best.

900SL is a good ride, simple and to the point.

[koko64]

Or economy version, 900SS in SL trim with a hot 944 motor! I'll help!

[Scoober1103]

1098!  

For the price, seriously.

Did you see a 1098 in the title?  It's not there for a reason......I don't personally like them. Don't get me wrong I like the way they look but to ride........not my cup of tea! 

999 are a PITA to service, and I don't enjoy their styling as much.

998 would be a little better, but it's still the first generation Testastretta, so PITA.

IMO, 996 is the best.

900SL is a good ride, simple and to the point.

Thanks Speeddog that is precisely half of my query. I saw a nice black 996 at the fx superbikes race the other week and absolutely loved it. But would like to own at least one red duc!

[kopfjäger]

This one 

https://louisville.craigslist.org/mcy/5179177593.html

[ducatiz]

Any 900ss carb.  You can "convert" it to sl trim except for the 2 pc wheels.  There are better wheels on the market.

Motor tops out at about 100hp with headwork and lots of mods.  But it is the most fun for the money

[Scoober1103]

This one 

https://louisville.craigslist.org/mcy/5179177593.html

I spent the morning looking at that....... Transport would be a killer and not sure I'd be able to register it! Ung coulda stashed it in his carry on! 

Any 900ss carb.  You can "convert" it to sl trim except for the 2 pc wheels.  There are better wheels on the market.

Motor tops out at about 100hp with headwork and lots of mods.  But it is the most fun for the money

As a standard full fairing 900 in cracking nick with good service history is about half of all the above it would make a great buy. Thinking of keeping this one relatively standard so bling factor isn't all that important. It will also be the bike people will ride if they come to visit from afar!

[koko64]

Fair enough.
A stock carbed 900 will feel slow without a few choice mods. I think hi comp pistons, Ignitech, Exactfit coils, jet kit, modified airbox and a light flywheel should do it.
I really miss my 900SL, glad a mate bought it so I get to ride it now and then. It runs strong with some mods, but if its just to cruise around on then I guess it doesnt matter.

[MendoDave]

This one 

https://louisville.craigslist.org/mcy/5179177593.html

That is real sweet.

The 900 is simple. I always did like the looks of the 916 though.

[koko64]

Beautiful.
I test rode a 916SP back in the day. Knee down by accident, it was that good.

[Scoober1103]

yep we were just talking about how we would like that model in the stable. just beautiful.

[MendoDave]

The 916/748 were some of the first Ducks I got to be familiar with. Great looks. Classy.

[Scoober1103]

This is what one of that caliber goes for here.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/dealer/OAG-AD-1136895/1996-Ducati-916

When you can get a 996 with half the miles for this.....

http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-3356974/2000-Ducati-996

[MendoDave]

I can hardly tell them apart 916/996/998 so the 996 or 998 would be better.
Probably the 999 is going to be your best deal though. Those can be had for well under 10K here, but the cyclops lights...On the other hand you don't see them when you're riding it.