The Ducati 916: The bike that Foggy rode to stardom

Massimo Tamburini designed the 916 with the vision to make it a masterpiece of both form and function. The bike's large twin headlights, thin hips and distinctive underseat exhaust were supposedly inspired by the female form. The single-sided swingarm also looked cool; while it enhanced the bike's aesthetic appeal, it also allowed for quicker wheel changes during races, demonstrating Ducati's focus on both performance and practicality.

And it delivered, carrying Carl Fogarty to consecutive World Superbike Championships in 1994 and 1995.

The 1995 World Superbike Championship was one of the sport's most thrilling and gruelling seasons, marked by a superb campaign by Fogarty who quickly established himself as the man to beat. He secured an impressive 13 race wins throughout the season, setting a new record for the most victories in a single year. 

The season wasn't without fierce competition. Aaron Slight and Troy Corser were among Fogarty's primary rivals. Slight was a quick and consistent rider, frequently challenging Fogarty at the front, while rising star Corser kept the Championship alive with his talent and raw speed. The on-track battles were intense, especially at circuits like Monza and Assen, where overtakes were frequent, and race strategies played a crucial role. 

Remembered as one of the season’s most exciting races, the 1995 contest at Monza saw Fogarty arrive as the championship leader, with thousands of fanatical Italian fans cheering him on. In Race 1, he battled fiercely with Slight and Corser, exchanging positions multiple times as Fogarty displayed fearless braking into the chicanes. His pace was unmatched, allowing him to break away to secure victory in the race's final stages and send Italy into rapture.

Race 2 was even more on a knife-edge. Fogarty and Slight fought wheel-to-wheel, pushing each other past their limits. Slight took the lead, but Fogarty's superior cornering speed and braking reclaimed his top spot, a position he maintained despite relentless pressure from his rival. The result secured Fogarty a dreamland double in Italy and set the tone for the remainder of the Championship.

The 916’s compact, aggressive profile helped the bike cut through the air more efficiently than its competitors. Not only did the exhausts look mighty fine, but they also improved aerodynamics and centralised the bike's mass. This design choice contributed to the 916's exceptional handling and became a defining characteristic of Ducati's superbike line-up for years.

The steel lattice frame was another brand hallmark, providing a visible backbone for the bodywork's shapely curves. It is still one of the most beautiful bikes ever built. 

Ducati's 916cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree L-twin engine was at the heart of the bike. The marque’s signature desmodromic valve system set the engine apart from its rivals, allowing for precise valve control and higher revs. The desmo system used cams to both open and close the valves instead of traditional valve springs, for a smoother power delivery that progressively built towards the redline.

The engine produced 116PS (85kW) at 9,000 rpm, emphasising mid-range torque over outright power. This made the 916 an easy bike, with blistering acceleration on the track and manageable power on the street. Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection was advanced, providing precise throttle response and improved fuel efficiency.

The 916's lightweight steel trellis frame didn't just look good, it was exceptionally rigid, allowing owners to push the bike to its limits with confidence. Full adjustable suspension came courtesy of Öhlins or Showa, so you could set up your Ducati to suit different tracks and riding styles. High-performance Brembo brakes delivered outstanding stopping power, nice to have on one of the world's quickest bikes of the time. 

Mixing stunning looks with genuine racing performance, the Ducati 916 set the tone for modern superbikes, bringing a whole new generation of riders to the brand. Even now, its legacy lives on in the single swingarms underseat exhausts of the current models. But the 916 transcends motorcycling; to many, it's just plain art.

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Images courtesy of Getty Images.