Ducati is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the sexiest motorcycle ever made – the 916 – by displaying in their Bologna museum the model owned and ridden by its creator Massimo Tamburini.
It follows the recent unveiling of a special commemorative 916 edition of the Panigale V4.
Ducati Panigale V4 25th Anniversario 916Massimo Tamburini also worked on the MV Agusta F4 and both of his sexy creations were displayed at the New York Guggenheim Museum’s The Art of the Motorcycle exhibit of 1998-1999.
He died in April 2014 after a long battle with lung cancer at the age of 71.
As part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Ducati 916’s production launch, the Ducati Museum above their Borgo Panigale factory will feature the 916 owned by the legendary designer.
Massimo tinkers with his 916But Ducatisti better be quick, because the bike is only on display until 15 January 2020. Click here for museum prices and hours.
This exhibition is made possible by the collaboration of the Ducati Museum with Simona Tamburini, Massimo’s daughter and the owner of the motorcycle.
His 916 on display is one of three prototypes from which Tamburini developed the bike until its manufacture in 1994.
Massimo at right with the 916 at its launchMassimo leaves legacy
The first Ducati Massimo designed was the Paso 750 which helped move full bodywork from racing into the road-going mainstream.
Similarly, the 916 featured aerodynamic bodywork and a lightweight chassis.
It was developed on the roads of Rimini and at the Misano and Mugello circuits.
Massimo Tamburini and his 916 testing on the roads around the factoryFor six, long years Tamburini meticulously studied every detail, without ever using the wind tunnel.
The bike in the museum features details that are more similar to those of the 916 SP series, the highest performing model of the 916 series.
It is almost completely made of fibreglass, while the air intakes, front mudguard, airbox, tailpipes and number plate holder are made of carbon fibre.
The bike also features racing components such as five-spoke magnesium rims and the lightened single-sided swinging arm.
There are no turn indicators or odometer. The only instrumentation is a tachometer and a water temperature indicator.