‘We nearly didn’t even go to the launch…’
Phil West recalls how we almost dismissed the 916… before the world changed forever
» It seems ridiculous to remember now how low-key – insignificant almost – the lead-up to the 916 launch had been. Its show unveiling in autumn 1993 had raised eyebrows and interest, sure: an ‘improved, face-lifted 888’ would be good. But Ducatis were still largely fragile follies for the few in a Britain where Blades, ZZ-RS and CBR600S were king. Ducati’s range then was barely four models strong – various SSS, the 907ie, new Monster and superbike – and until then bought by only a romantic few. Its UK importer was a small dealer in Northampton. World press launches like today’s week-long exotic jamborees involving hundreds of journos and staff simply didn’t happen. Which is why Bike’s invite to the 916 launch was something of a surprise – and dilemma. With no flights offered, we hesitated about going. Eventually I negotiated with editor Martyn Moore to make it into a mini-break with cheaper flights straddling a weekend to Venice. My hire car arrival at the slightly run-down, out-of-season Rimini hotel was low-key, too. Just three Brits – myself, MCN’S Kevin Ash and ex-bike freelancer Roland Brown – were invited. There was no fanfare, no glitzy presentation; just an odd velvet box containing an inscribed aluminium ingot waiting on my bed by way of welcome. Morning brought a minibus ride to a bleak, grey Misano circuit. Pit lane presented a line-up of maybe 15 red pre-production 916s, all with seemingly different decals and details. Mechanics busied around. In the background a Don-like Tamburini smoked in a paddock jacket. Then the world changed. Forever. Simply climbing on board proved the 916 was different: not just racer-tiny, slim and focused after the bulbous and baggy 888, but thanks to new switchgear, clocks and more, truly modern as well. And
while the V-twin burble down pit lane was familiar, the 916’s lightness (15lb less than the 888) and its sharpness, turning into ‘old’ Misano’s first left-hander, were eye-opening. Within half a mile I knew it was a game changer.
If the next 20 or so laps were a fantastic blur, the 916’s compact, racer focus, sublime steering and droning drive are etched onto my memory. Ashy agreed afterwards: the 916 was out of this world.
Following an interview with Tamburini and a tour of his Cagiva Research Centre, I later wrote: ‘Nothing prepares you for the 916… Carl Fogarty WILL win the world superbike title this year… I present the Bike of 1994…’ Although we were definitely wrong not to put the 916 on the cover, I don’t think I’ve ever been more right.
I later discovered that aluminium ingot was pure silver – all 500g of it. It’s my most cherished ‘testing’ souvenir…