KIWI RIDER 08 2019 VOL.2 | Page 82

TAMBURINI’S 916 CHECKS IN TO DUCATI MUSEUM A s part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Ducati 916’s production launch, the Ducati Museum now features a new, incredible piece of its history: Massimo Tamburini’s 916. An authentic masterpiece “owned” by the legendary designer. This exhibition, made possible through the collaboration of the Ducati Museum with Simona Tamburini, Massimo’s daughter and the owner of the motorcycle, reveals some secrets behind a legendary bike; the 916 on display is one of the three prototypes from which Tamburini developed the bike until its production in 1994. 82 KIWI RIDER Massimo Tamburini, who had already developed the Paso 750 for Ducati, developed a bike that was a real revolution in the motorcycle world with the 916. Its aerodynamics and chassis were developed exclusively on the roads of Rimini and at the Misano and Mugello circuits. For six years Tamburini studied every detail, without ever using a 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. The bike is almost completely made of fibreglass, while the air conveyors, front mudguard, airbox, tailpipes and number plate holder are made