Proof that the Ducati 916 was Better than the 851
The Ducati 916 was the Massimo Tamburini masterpiece that supplanted the 851/888 series which had taken 3 consecutive victories in the World Superbike Championship in the hands of Raymond Roche and Doug Polen. Featuring essentially the same engine but with a larger capacity, the bodywork was achingly gorgeous. The 916 still embodies the modern DNA of Ducati with its single sided swingarm, trellis frame, Desmo L-twin and twin underseat exhaust. The 916 was the Superbike that catapulted Ducati into the open class sportbike big time with hordes of Japanese riders coming to the brand for the first time.
After the Ducati 999 débâcle, the 1098 / 1198 range returned stylistically to an echo of the 916. Photographers have long liked to bring beautiful women and motorcycles together and Ducati News Today favorite, Phil Aynsley, has photographed perhaps more exotic Ducatis than any other. He recently rescanned some of his earlier images including these featuring the 916. So naturally the 916 beats the 851 in this case solely due to the model draped over its already enticing bodywork. Original 916′s are becoming hard to find (check out this brand new Ducati 916 that has never been ridden). Despite the success of the 916 and its derivative 1098 / 1198 after it, Ducati will once again abandon its beloved conventions for the 2012 Ducati Superbike where the trellis frame, L-twin and cam belt drive will all be dropped.
The single sided swingarm will remain however, which when you think about it, is the only element that is definitively style over substance proving that Ducati still knows its customers only too well. Ironically, despite the obvious beauty of the 916, it is the earlier, chunkier styling of the 851 series that is more appealing to Ducati News Today these days. We’d be happy with an 851 Strada but would go loopy for one of the limited edition SP models that weren’t available in the USA.
Check out more photos of the Ducati 916 at Phil Aynsley’s Web site where you will find hundreds of Ducati photos of almost every conceivable model.
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