After looking around the Internet, at various Ducati models, I have noticed that the 999 is considerably cheaper than a lot of the other, similar aged bikes Being relatively new to the Ducati ownership, is there any particular reason why? Are there any reliability/build quality issues?
I'm not sure about the technical and factory recalls etc side of things but they're a poor seller the first time around, just because it followered on from the 916 design. So not everybody got the new wave styling, but please don't follow the sheep when it cames to things like this.
Good question...The 749/999 was unfairly IMO slated by the motorcycle press at its launch by having to follow in the footsteps of the hugely successful 748/916, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the bikes themselves, i had a 999S and it was a cracker - a couple of years ago the 9' series bike prices seemed to pick up a bit but now as you say they have dropped a little, except for the R models which are continuing to rise. The only problem i had with mine was a cracked rear subframe which i gather is not uncommon to the model, other than that it was totally reliable, don't let anyone put you off trying one.
AFAIK the 999 are a progression from the 916, 996 & 998 and are more powerful with better handling as you would expect with design improvement. But they are not considered by many to be as pretty as those that came before.
I never let others make my mind up for me, I am old enough, and definitely stupid enough, to make my own stupid decisions It's not what people have said, it is a dimple question, solely based on my own observations My opinion of the 749/999 range is, I'm unsure on the aesthetics of the cyclops style front end
I disagree, a lot of 999 use the 998 era engine, the 996R / 998S / 998R are superior to the 999 engine and handling wise (the first 999 used the 998 123whp engine). That’s it!!!
Nope, they just advert them with crank hp instead of rear wheel hp - which they did until ‘04, I think.
The 749/999 do of course have a proper swing arm. That alone could have made my mind up when I was looking for a newer bike, but I've never liked the styling of the whole 916 - 998 etc range, I've always preferred the 749/999 and am probably one of the few that were disappointed when Ducati went backwards with the 848/1098.
I didn't think the OP was asking about "R" bikes, as they're not typically "cheaper than a lot of the other, similar aged bikes"
Not especially, it’s really just supply / demand based on aesthetics. If you like the look they are a relative bargain and if opinion changes in the future they might be a good investment too!
I'm almost with you on that. The 1098/1198 always looked too derivative & Japanese to me. Not unique enough. The 749/99 look better now than when they were released in my eyes but they were always going to struggle following the exquisite lines of the 748/916/996/998 series.
I thought they were minging when they came out now i have 1 748r and 2 749 and love them all for entirely diff reasons I will likely get a 999 as well
Than forget the R - it stays the same. The first real “new” or altered update engine is the 1098 - Testastretta Evoluzione (1098) ———————— The Early Desmoquattro (851 - 996S) The Testastretta (996R - 999R) Testastretta Evoluzione (1098) Etc….
Across the small pond the 999's are just getting more expensive, not like the 916-996, but rising. So if the're getting cheaper in the UK, buy a facelift modell, you won't regret it. I don't get the 916, don't like the way it handles, looks for me are mweh.
You need to walk in to the optician. I do agree I like the 999, certainly the R from ‘05. Prices for these here are around €20k.
As I said earlier, AFAIK which is a preamble to its not certain... So AFAIK a 916 max hp was rated at 114, and the 999 at 139hp. But I might be wrong and its entirely possible you know better.
