DOCGB - new

First bike Honda CB100N, bought 1984. I have owned and ridden one or more bikes without a break ever since. Half a dozen Japanese bikes passed through my hands, until I began the transition to European machinery with the arrival of a Moto Martin. This has been followed by 10 years of unbroken loyalty to the Ducati marque, with the exception of a Honda trail bike acquired last winter.

First Ducati 1993 900SS bought s/h 1994, written off at the TT in 1995, not my fault.

Second Ducati 1994 900SS bought s/h 1995 to replace previous machine, current mileage 46,000 including 3 trips to the TT and several European tours.

Third Ducati 1997 916 Biposto bought new (import) 1997 with compensation cash from 1995 incident. I rode it to the Isle of Man seven times, 6 trips to the TT and one to the Manx Grand Prix. My only trip abroad was in August 2004, a nine day, 2500 mile run to the south of France. At the end of one 500-mile day my only problem was aching knees, this could probably be remedied by a set of adjustable rear sets. In September 2004 with just over 74000km on the clock, the bike was declared a write-off after a rear end shunt from a Range Rover. Having spent the winter considering all the options, most of which were other Ducatis, it had to be another 916.

Fourth Ducati 1998 916SPS, six and a half years old, 10,000 recorded miles, bought on 1st April 2005.

No need for any discussion of the above topic in this group. Preaching to the converted etc.

I see this group as a place to share the vast wealth of information we have accumulated during our ownership, to further improve our enjoyment of these magnificent machines.

Many people desire one, but most are put off by talk of high running costs and poor reliability.

If all the bad press is true, we really need to build up some interest and demand to increase the fast falling second hand values of our bikes so that we can all go out and buy 749/999s. So prepare your best lies and bullshit for publication here.

An owners story

I had a £13,000 bonus from work and spent the lot on brand new out of the box 916S in 1996. Red naturally. It was like a dream bike, not only because it was the first brand new one, after years of second hand British and Ducati (never Japanese), but the beauty of it, and having been around for three years already, the reputation which was already historic.

I was not disappointed. It was love at first ride. Slim for my legs not to be ripped apart in a most ungainly fashion and otherwise a perfect fit. It actually was really comfortable for me. The only thing I kept meaning to change but never got around to was the rear Ohlins suspension which was too hard for my svelt 8st. I just used to ride around the hard back end. In the winter, the heat from the engine came out of the ventillation holes in the fairing and kept my thighs really warm and snug. I didn't notice too much heat in the summer.

It was the biggest CC bike I'd ever owned and so that made it another milestone in my biking career (riding since 74). The power, to me, was little short of awesome. On overtakes, the target vehicle just became a dot in the mirrors. Smooth, scary power delivery, fantastic legendry Ducati engine braking and brakes that worked really well. Handling that required no effort at all and she made me lean further than I'd imagined I ever could. I didn't get into knee downs, being a Hailwood style of cornerer. And she sounded horny. Each ride was like a hit of my favourite drug. She had me singing and smiling. I never had to swear at or kick her. And I know it is a cliche, but she really was better than sex for sustained pleasure.

The only mods I did were Goodridge hoses on the brakes and clutch and a rear hugger to keep the muck off the rear suspension. Nothing else needed changing. Anyone who wants to tamper with the perfection of a 916 is a spiritless neanderthal. I did buy into a Ventura luggage system, but then that was a must for weekends or holidays with camping. The system worked really well and I have nothing but praise for its simplicity, robustness and ease of use. I could get my tent, kip mat and bag and a few bits of clobber in, throw it on the bike and we were away - totally self contained. We would go and stop whereever we liked. Home-in-a-bag on a beautiful bike. Of course, just taking the credit card was another option, but I didn't afford that too often!

Reliability wise, well she was good for me. I did have two problems which shouldn't have happened : wires caught in fan; screw head rubbing on oil cooler causing leak, but never mechanical. She was looked after mechanically and that's the trick with Ducatis: Don't let them stand for too long, fettle them regularly and they'll go forever. I still have an 83 Pantah. There were some other minor wiring problems, but then at least one knows the Italians aren't very good with electrics, so you make your mind up to buy into that.

We went to the magical first WDW and back without problems; about four times to the Nurburgring (165 MPH on Dottinge Hohe - a trip) for a few days thrashing and back without problems and loads of track days around the UK.

I only sold her about four weeks ago. I had a baby and became a devoted mother, so my single seat, long weekends just riding days were really over for the next 7/8 years. I couldn't bear to see her not being ridden, and knowing that was fatal for the engine decided to say goodbye. She went to a good home anyway. I will of course be teaching my daughter to ride when I've stretched her legs enough, but for now we concentrate on the Highway Code from the comfort of the car.

I would definitely have one again if I had the time to ride it a lot and the money to keep her in good shape. Wouldn't hesitate. It would have to be a nice one from a sympathetic Owners Club member who hadn't messed about with it.