Hello all, I'm having a real issue here and I need some of your advice please. I have a 1998 916SPS which I bought back in 2008 from Snell Ducati. I am trying to sell it on ebay and the responses that I am getting are insane. The bike is in great condition, however the previous owner changed the colour slightly and also while owning the bike the plaque on the headstock was stolen. I've priced it fairly due to these issues. However I am getting a barrage of abuse from people about it telling me that it is not an SPS and that i'm a scammer, then some include threats etc, it's all getting out of hand. What I do not understand is that people seem to see the ad, see it's an SPS, contact me, ask for the V5, reg and chassis, which I give them, then are suddenly not interested when I know for a fact that all the credentials check out. Is this usual when selling a bike like this? I have linked the advert, please let me know your thoughts. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273299284224?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
Hi, I believe that a potential reason for the unacceptable behaviour may be because the bike doesn’t appear standard. The seat unit and wheels don’t look original for that bike. It may help reduce the annoying messages if you explain why these parts are not correct in the advert. Just my opinion.
Yeah you have a point, but some of the abuse is appalling. Regarding the wheels I have had a dealer and two specialist tell me that the wheels are right for that model / year.
Do you have a letter from Ducati uk to confirm what model it is?and the sales invoice from Snell as this would help your cause,as Ricky said explain in the advert the non standard set up.but you will always get the nutters... thats life
I have a letter from Ducati stating that this chassis number is a 916SPS and the V5 states the same as does the service book and owner manual etc. But when i've given these to people they seem to get even more infuriated. I've sold lots of stuff in the past and several bikes but i've never had anything like this
These people sound like chancers to me if they like the bike/price/paperwork and can live with the non original parts,,whats the problem?
Yeah that's my take on it. When I spoke to Ducati the lady said that people wanting the V5 pics etc and then not coming back could be trying to clone it. Is there any way to get a new badge made? I know Ducati do not sell them.
Strangely enough...I have a 998 which apprentaly came with the 3 spokers from the factory. called Ducati UK about this a few years back and they verified that some customers ordered newer bikes with the 3 spokers instead of the 5's There are some thoughts that the 3 spokers were more in keeping with the original 916 looks. I suppose looks are subjective of course
Strangely enough...I have a 998 which apprentaly came with the 3 spokers from the factory. called Ducati UK about this a few years back and they verified that some customers ordered newer bikes with the 3 spokers instead of the 5's There are some thoughts that the 3 spokers were more in keeping with the original 916 looks. I suppose looks are subjective of course
Oh I know, that is why i've priced it where I have which I think is fair? @slomogadgie, I guess we are talking about Ducati in the 90's, someone told me rtecently that they know of two 748r's with the same number, both legit lol
Another idea for you,locate the original Brembo wheels from ebay and repaint the motorcycle correctly to 1998 spec.......speculate to accumulate value
yes.... but i think the sps models had the Words DUCATI RACING embossed on the rear wheel as a standard set up
Think “ducati racing” was only on the wheels of the early bikes nothing to do with beiing an SP or not. And the 916 had a 190 tyre and the 748 had a 180 tyre,but i think the wheels self where the same. Henk!!!
Never heard of seen a 998 with 3 spokes from new. The 3 spokes where on the later 748 entry,where the normal later 748 had the 5 spokes in the 998 era. Henk!!!
Also, later 3 spokes fitted to later 748E are silver rather than the gold that matches your frame. An object lesson on why personalizing bikes without keeping the original bits becomes a liability when they start to become collectable (as the 916s and to a degree 748s are becoming). Anyone in the market for a 916SPS will be looking for one as unmolested as possible.
