Ducati 996

The Ducati 996 is a Ducati sport bike made from 1999 to 2002, based on the earlier 916. It had larger 98 mm pistons, larger valves, a stronger crankshaft and crankcases taken from the 916 SPS, a new air intake system with two fuel injectors per cylinder and a distinctive underseat exhaust. The range came as a base Biposto, the 996S with Öhlins suspension and the 996SPS, sold in Europe only, with a more powerful engine and lighter titanium and carbon fibre parts. From 2001 the limited 996R, of which only 500 were built, replaced the SPS and brought the new 998 cc Testastretta engine, producing 98.5 kW at 10,200 rpm. A 996 appears in the film The Matrix Reloaded, and in 2002 the Ducati 998 superseded the model.