Wo Would a double side swing arm on the V4R SBK then make it as 1199 never went around the corner as well, talk was that the R would have the double side, if the single was as good they would use it on the Motogp bike wouldn’t they?
I had a 996 and a 999. No arguments the 996 was prettier, but when I had to sell one the 999 stayed as it's just a better ride
This my 749 @ Estoril. My first real ride on her and my first time @ Estoril. The engine has taken some time to tame and seems she likes full throttle or no throttle. Compared to the 748, she spins up quicker and power is available earlier and lasts longer. The chassis will soak up any mid corner power fully leant over, so most overtakes of much larger bikes are in the corners.
I do believe that one day the 999 will be considered to be a stone cold classic.. Just finished putting my beastie back together yesterday.. New paint all round. When I find a moment I was thinking of doing a comparison thread to the 996, which I prefer... but mainly as it is less refined than the 999...
Well, it's better looking and put together than the one they hurriedly bought out to appease the 916 groupies, aged a lot better as well.
I’ve liked the look of the 999/749 since launch, and have never been a fan of the whole series of bikes that started with the 916/748. I was the odd one out that still preferred the styling of the SS range(pre-ie of course). I don’t see the point of a single sided Swingarm unless you are Endurance racing, on a road bike it’s just a styling exercise that adds weight and complication. It’s just my personal view, but the side on view of the 916/748 etc look badly proportioned because of the swingarm from either side, and look like the bike has been hit from behind forcing the wheel forward and under the bike. Note I’m not against the fact that it doesn’t look the same on both sides, that doesn’t matter. I do think Ducati made a better job of the styling to incorporate a SSSA on the post 999/749 bikes like the 1098 etc, but still think they are an overcomplication on a road bike. I purchased my 999 as a project after being reminded how good they looked by Sev turning up at my place on his 749. The point for me was to enjoy the rebuild, and work on a more modern bike than what I was used to. Riding it was very much secondary in the plan, but I did want to ride it for a while before deciding what to do with it: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/project-999.87890/ All the way through the project I thought that when I came to ride it I’d find it too uncomfortable, too fast, and hard work, especially around town. However, when it was back on the road I immediately fell in love with it. It’s far more comfortable for my 6ft 14st frame than my 1000SS or 900SS. It’s as comfortable in some respects, and more comfortable in some respects, than my M1000. Mainly because it’s physically a much bigger bike than all of the above. Although I couldn’t spend all day on it. I also find it far easier to ride at my sort of speed(read sedate) than I thought I would, even around town or in traffic. It’s been a real eye-opener for me being able to enjoy riding a sports bike for the first time in many years. I think it’s staying with me now, partly because I’m still enjoying it so much, Partly because it still makes me smile when I see it in the garage, and partly because I honestly think that any 999/749 has to be considered an investment to be purchased now before the rest of the world realises how good they are, and how few of them there are to go around.
There is a lot to read about this in Catchcart's 999 book. The 999 went through a lot of different design stages, some of which look incredible at least as sketches. I'm always a bit torn on the MV F4. On the one hand it's really pretty, on the other it's just an evolution of the 916 to me. I got it But to be fair, sometimes my Christmas presents arrive in April and it doesn't seem to mind that much
Well, at least Terblanche did something rather unique and I really like the 999 for that. It's a totally different approach visually and exactly for that reason stands out today
I've said before how I don't like the look of traditionally-styled headlights in fairings. I liked the 999 style in theory but didn't necessarily feel it. Other than the crick in my neck trying to see with the full face on - and given most of my bikes never had mirrors so, once I'd mastered looking behind on the 999, the fact the mirrors are a joke doesn't bother me - the ride itself is sublime, but back in the garage I'd still find myself looking at the headlights and feeling occasionally jarred. But very recently it just suddenly seemed natural, as though headlights in fairings had been under-and-over since day one. Like some kind of paradigm shift, suddenly they 'feel' right as well as logical. Like the icing on the cake, not that it matters an arsehole when opening the throttle out on some 'A' road. I don't see how I can put it back on the road without turning it yellow, mind.
OK, so here's a funny thing. I've posted this before, but now I've got it set as wallpaper on this PC so everytime I'm on here I'm reminded of why I have to get it back on the road. And I think I'll stick with red. Because it's just gorgeous.
