In 1995, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 916 Senna, a limited edition fully faired sports motorcycle commemorating Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna. The bike was released several mounts before his death in May 1994.
Ducati's owner, Claudio Castiglioni, was a personal friend of Ayrton Senna. Between 1995 and 2001, he released three Senna special edition machines, and net proceeds were donated to the Instituto Ayrton Senna charity.
The 1995 Ducati 916 Senna combined the engine from the base 916 models with the chassis of the Ducati 916SP version for a well-mannered but agile two-wheeler. In addition, the special edition machine featured a black and grey paint scheme, red-finished wheels, and carbon fiber elements, such as a front fender, clutch cover, chain guard, and an exhaust insulating panel.
At the bike's core was a 916cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine fed by an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system, boasting 109 hp with a maximum peak force at 9,000 rpm and 89 Nm (66-lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.
All the engine power was handled by a six-speed manual transmission with a dry multi-plate clutch and a final chain drive, spinning the rear wheel to a top speed of 255 kph (159 mph).
In the braking department, the 1995 Ducati 916 Senna packed two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 220 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear wheel, offering excellent stopping power.