All good things come to an end, and Ducati faced this realization as soon as it entered the 21st century. After eight WSBK world titles between 1990 and 1999, Honda (with Colin Edwards at the helm) dethroned Team Red in the 2000 championship did no good to the latter’s reputation as a specialist in world-class race machinery. To no one’s surprise, the Bolognese engineers wasted no time and went back to the sketch board, only to birth one of the most exhilarating (and rare) Ducatis - the 996R.

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The 996R Had No Shortage Of Exceptional Components

Ducati built only 500 examples, out of which 350 were sold to the public and 150 went to privateers

Ducati’s intent with the 996R was crystal clear–to regain prowess in racing–just like the modern-day Panigale V4 R. So the brand loaded the sports bike with a bevy of top-shelf components rarely seen on production motorcycles. For starters, you got carbon fiber side fairings, belly pan, and fenders, alongside Marchesini wheels and a lightweight battery. The five-spoke hoops housed top-shelf (at the time) quad-piston Brembo calipers up top, each of which packed four brake pads (unlike the usual two) and clamped 320 mm rotors. Above the brakes, the 996R flexed 43 mm inverted TiN-treated Ohlins forks and a monoshock, both fully adjustable. These, together with thicker engine mounts and frame tubes, ensured a considerably sharper motorcycle than the non-R 996.

The engine, coupled with the Termignoni exhaust, produced 135 horsepower

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As impressive as this was, any manufacturer could replicate (or source) the components. What they couldn’t recreate, though, was Ducati’s 998cc, liquid-cooled powerhouse. With plenty of inputs from ex-Ferrari engineer Angiolino Marchetti, the mill had the company’s first Testastretta setup and produced 135 horsepower, good enough for a 175mph top speed in road trim. Ducati even equipped it with a race-inspired under-tail exhaust, built by none other than Termignoni. Safe to say all this worked well as Troy Bayliss won the WSBK title in the same year as the 996R’s debut, 2001.

Ducati Only Made 500 Units Of The 996R

Top-shelf Ohlins and Brembos came standard on the 996R

Thanks to the above-mentioned details, the 996R is one of the hottest old-school Ducatis you can buy–a fact only amplified by its uber-limited 500-unit production figure. But as always, if you’re tempted to take it home, Iconic Motorbike Auctions has you covered. The seller has listed the 356th 996R with just 6,544 miles on its analog odometer. You also get two original keys and new Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa 4 tires (with date codes 1922 and 2222) to make this ready to ride. Don’t expect it to come cheap, though, as previous examples have sold for as high as $34,000. That’s out of our budget, but if you can afford it, make sure to put in a bid before April 22, 2023.