2003 Ducati 998 Biposto Registration Number: KE03 ZBT Frame...

Hammer

£6,600

2003 Ducati 998 Biposto

Registration Number: KE03 ZBT
Frame Number: ZDMH200AA2B021548

- Recent Desmo service
- Saleroom Notice: Now offered without reserve

Although Ducati's water-cooled 8-valve v-twin had been around in its original 851 and 888 incarnations for six years and indeed, had already won three World Superbike (Riders') Championships, it was the arrival of the iconic 916 in 1994 that really captured the public's imagination. Styled by Massimo Tamburini, the 916 and its subsequent evolutions established Ducati as one of the world's foremost brand names. Universally recognised as icons of automotive art, Ducati motorcycles have been exhibited in some of the world's foremost museums, including the Guggenheim in New York and the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. The Ducati 916 won the World Superbike Championship in its 1994 debut season and its evolutions three times after that. Enough said. For 1999, the stronger and much improved 996cc engine of the limited-edition 916 SPS was standardised on the new 996 model, while a Ducati Corse works development took Carl Fogarty to his fourth World Superbike Championship that same year. The final iteration of Tamburini's vision, the 998, arrived in 2002 and was one of the first models to feature the new Testastretta (narrow head) engine, designed by former Ferrari engineer, Angiolino Marchetti. The 998cc Testastretta had first appeared in the limited production and confusingly named 996 R, and this same engine went into the 998 S for Europe.

First registered June 2003, this 998 Biposto has covered 27,448 miles from new, according to the odometer. After a period of storage due to the owner relocating abroad, the bike has recently had a Desmo service with all valves checked and adjusted, also new belts and filters, courtesy of a Ducati main dealer. In good overall condition, with frame, panel work and paintwork in nice order, the only comment from our vendor was that the engine paintwork was flaking and would benefit from refinishing. In our opinion a desirable Ducati of its era, with good investment potential.