Purchased 26 Years Ago, Ducati 996 SPS Only Displayed And Now Resold Using The Original Ship Of Delivery

Ducati 996 SPS. (Photo: Bring a Trailer)

JAKARTA Perhaps many have questioned the reasons for this 1999 buyer of Ducati 996 SPS. Since being bought, his motorbike has never been driven, it has only been left in the original coffin of a shipment from a dealer.

Now, for motorcycle collectors and speed enthusiasts, especially those in Europe, launching Road and Track, Tuesday, July 15, this bike is a really rare offering. This high-performance bike, which should be 26 years old, has only recorded less than 3 kilometers on its odometer (factory testing) looks as if it has just come out of production.

The Ducati 996 SPS unit, which is now being sold through online auction platform Bring a Trailer, has never been removed from its shipping chest since its first production. This motorbike has an amazing performance, namely 123 cellphones and 73 lb-ft torques which was a very large number for its time.

The 996 SPS (Sport Production Special) model is the evolution of the legendary Ducati 916, inheriting many revolutionary design elements while adding a significant new upgrade. It includes a lighter five-stop Marchesini rim, a Marulli fuel injection system, carbon fiber intake, then a longer-lasting and more heat-resistant Brembo brake. Regulable suspension, with 43mm inverted Showa fork and a piggyback monoshock attached to one-sided aluminum swingarm.

All of these components are a small improvement that overall creates much more capable motors. Stronger chassis and lighter wheels make 996 SPS the peak of performance in their time. No wonder this motorbike was chosen to appear as the main escape vehicle in the iconic chase scene in the film The Matrix Reloaded, driven by the character Trinity.

Between Highways And Collection Units

This special 996 SPS ducati has been stored in its original coffin with its first owner in Sweden until it was bought by a dealer who is now selling it. Although its odometer shows a very low number, it is far from ready to drive directly on the streets. Prospective owners who want to use it need to check and fix almost every system, as some photos even point to problems such as a brake cylindrical master leak.

Given this condition and its age, it is likely that the next buyer will choose to make Ducati an exclusive display unit rather than a daily vehicle. However, its almost "new" status makes it very valuable. Until now this news was written, the results of VOI's highest offering for this bike had reached 56,500 euros (equivalent to Rp1.07 billion) showing how high interest in this hidden gem was.