1999 Ducati 916 Senna III

A stunning UK-supplied, desirable and collectable motorcycle with just 3,600 miles showing and one careful owner from new

Number 222 of the final 300 Senna editions boasting Öhlins shock, cast-iron fully-floating Brembo discs and braided brake hoses

Superb condition, stored and maintained correctly, from private ownership and only enjoyed in dry weather conditions

Every Ducati motorcycle is a bit special, this exclusive example is sure to be the talk of any bike meet

With its 916cc, fuel-injected, 4-valves-per-cylinder desmodromic, liquid-cooled, 90° V-twin, Ducati’s 916 was an instant classic as soon as it was shown to the world. Built for five years before evolving into the 996, this bike was one of Massimo Tamburini’s crowning achievements. Though it produced less horsepower than the Japanese competition, it was more torquey, and no bike from anywhere could compete on looks. In 1998, the Guggenheim featured an exhibit called The Art of the Motorcycle and the 916 was one of the few modern bikes to make the cut. To many enthusiasts around the world, the 916 was not simply the latest superbike, but the best there had ever been. Not only did it set new standards of performance, handling, and braking, but also topped the table in style and charisma. Ayrton Senna was a personal friend of the Castiglioni family (partially, no doubt, because he was a repeat high-profile Ducati customer), and had actually personally agreed to the first run of 200 bikes named in his honour before his demise. Profits from these Sennas went to the Senna Foundation, to provide Brazilian kids with free sports facilities, as long as they went to school. The first run arrived in 1995 – black and grey with red wheels, with a Strada-spec engine (minus the posh Pankl rods) with an SP chassis (Öhlins shock, cast-iron, fully-floating Brembo discs and braided brake hoses) and 300 were built. Two further runs of Senna II (silver with red wheels) and Senna IIIs (all black) were produced in 1997 and late 1998 with all profits, similarly, going to the Senna Foundation.

This 916 Senna III (222 of 300) was first registered in the UK on 20/05/1999 and has just one registered keeper from new. Our private vendor has covered just 3,590 dry miles and has always stored this motorcycle correctly so, as one would expect, the condition of this 916 Senna is beautiful and reflects the low mileage indicated. We welcome pre-sale inspections and can report that the bike starts and runs sweetly. An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a true collector's item that would look good in any setting and, at any level, is a work of art.