Ducati 916 drag bike is heading to auction in the UK
This Ducati 916 is a drag bike special that uses parts from a Monster, and more surprisingly, an Aprilia RS125.
This 1998 Ducati 916 drag bike, which is set to go under the hammer in the UK, courtesy of Iconic Auctioneers, is a straight-line speedster that you should know about.
Yes, it is a 916 by nature, by name and by appearance, for the most part. However, the bike can be seen wearing a top yoke that’s borrowed from an Aprilia RS125, and with forks from a Ducati Monster.
Wearing a modified frame and engine, this raked-out machine has also been lengthened through a series of adjustments, which include the headstock angle being changed and the application of a bespoke custom swingarm.
The bike features a race-tuned 996cc engine that has been fitted with matching 996 crank cases, 966 SPS internals, cylinder heads ported and polished by Moto Rapido, race cams, and more. No word on power output, but we can imagine it’s heady, and way above the 130 to 140 bhp produced by an original 996.
Moto Rapido operates as an official Ducati dealer in Hampshire, and as a race team in BSB, where it will field Leon Haslam for a second consecutive season in 2026.
Additionally, the bike features a rear tyre designed specifically for drag racing, while fuelling is controlled by a modified engine management system. It is complete with a custom-made twin exhaust system, which sits just above the rear tyre.
According to Iconic Auctioneers, the bike has previously enjoyed “success in the 'Normally-aspirated up to 1,000cc Class' at NSA events”, as well as class wins at the Brighton Speed Trials.
The bike is expected to fetch a price of around £4,000 to £6,000, and it will go under the hammer on Sunday, 22 February, at Stoneleigh Park, which is based on Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry.
This bike is one of many that is scheduled to go under the hammer in just under two weeks, and it will do so alongside an official Aleix Esprgaro Aprilia MotoGP bike.
Find the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.com.
After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
