Motorcycle specifications Ducati 916 SPa 1996 Undercover mission

A pure aesthetic jewel, the Ducati 916 is also a Superbike thoroughbred. A motorcycle as passionate as it is efficient, as demanding as it is sublime. It can take you on a thrill ride on the road, its headlights and other trinkets allowing it to go out in public. But make no mistake: it only really expresses itself on the racetrack, its natural element. The SP special series are there to build bridges to competition.

A very special one has just left the Bologna factory. An SP with a small a... an almost discreet letter for a special mission. These 916 SPa have seen Europe only in the workshop where they were born. As soon as they were born, they left for America. The aim was to have a sufficient presence on the American market to obtain homologation for the machine that would compete in the AMA Superbike championship. As a result, 150 genetically modified models were produced and shipped across the Atlantic. But it seems that only 54 were registered and sold in the USA.

These 916 Sport Production americabikes featured a specific version of the Italian twin. Ducati wanted more power and increased the displacement to 955 cm3 by increasing the bore (+ 2 mm). More than 120 hp came from the "pumped-up" desmoquattro, as well as an extra dose of torque. On the chassis side, the tubular steel frame was reinforced with a Showa inverted fork, Öhlins shock absorbers, Marchesini wheels and large Brembo brakes.
This corresponds to the equipment of a 916 SP; but then, how to recognize the American version? With the engine code: ZDM955.

M.B - (internet photos D.R.)