2003 ducati 999

Year: 2003

Make: Ducati

Model: 999

Engine Capacity: 998cc

KMS: 13879

Rego: 8/11/2021

In 2003 Ducati shook the world when it unveiled the replacement for its class-topping superbike. Designed by Pierre Terblanche, the all-new 999 bore absolutely no visual similarities with the iconic 916-silouette that had been Ducati’s trademark look for nearly a decade. Radical and challenging, the 999 proved a step too far for many and instead of appreciating it for what it was – a leap forward in V-twin superbike design –it was berated for its lack of visual appeal. Nowadays reaction to the 999 has mellowed and it is earning the recognition it so thoroughly deserves.

The 999’s desmo V-twin is simply beautiful and has all the lazy power and torque you would expect from such a bike. Deceptively fast due to its low-revving nature, Ducati managed to get the fuel-injection spot on with the 999 and it is very hard to fault as a road bike motor aside from a typical big V-twin stutter at very low revs.

Even a well-sorted 999 will never be the fastest turning bike in the world and if you hop off a Japanese inline four onto one it will feel sluggish to respond, however the trade-off is simply sublime mid-bend poise and that’s always been Ducati’s strengths. This is a bike that delivers in fast and flowing bends, not stop/start tight ones, so pick your road to suit its strengths. On the right road, few bikes reward you with the same kind of riding experience as a 999 and it is noticeably better handling than any of its V-twin predecessors.

The Ducati 999 is a really beautiful bike to ride and its challenging looks have certainly mellowed with age. The fact it was controversial adds a bit to its mystique and while it is never going to be considered as elegant as the 916-generation, it is still very much a stand-out model in Ducati’s history.

Come into the garage today for a test ride.

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