How much?! Ducati 916 SPS smashes UK auction price record

A Ducati 916 SPS has been sold for a UK record price of £55,000, proving the cost-of-living crisis has yet to hit the classic motorcycle market.

The 1997, 996cc fuel-injected twin-cylinder poster bike has covered just 15 delivery miles (24km) and has been fully serviced twice.

CMW Motorcycles performed a major service in August 2012 at 14.2 miles. This included replacing the cam belts and both inlet and outlet cooler pipes.

A decade later, in November 2022 having been ridden less than a mile, Moto Rapido carried out a major service which included replacing the engine oil, oil filter, brake and clutch fluid, battery, and cam belts.

The bike was sold on Valentine’s Day by Collecting Cars Auctions who had an initial estimate of somewhere in the low £40,000s.

The reserve set by the private seller was a ‘mere’ £32,000. In December 2022, Silverstone Auctions sold a 1995 SPS model with 2200 miles from new for a then UK record of £42,750.  

Collecting Cars have found no evidence of a more expensive 916 being sold globally, so it may be safe to call this one a world record breaker, although official confirmation has not been issued.