Just had a flashback to Bayliss and his 999 glory days. Who can forget the battle he had with Toseland at Assen. TB21 was a dream to watch on the 999
You got that right. Troy, and to an extent Hodgson / Laconi / Toseland are probably why I am still as happy with my 999 as ever. Brought a lump to the old throat (teak-hard biker that I am of course )seeing the racing 999s lined up at the museum last June. TB was a tad special it has to be said. Well, considering the tool to hand was only a tourer of course RB
I remember that. Happy days. Lavilla couldn't put a foot wrong for a time. Haslam has always been more of a 'nearly man' unfortunately. I am in the market for a new casual jacket of some sort. A few years ago I would have coughed up stupid money for a Ducati branded affair. Would think twice now as most folks would associate the name with problems and '7th runner up' race positions. How times have changed. Also I would look borderline daft as a 54 yo in a Doocati race jacket I'm thinking
You are quite possibly right abiut that Mr C. He is a cracking, determined and committed racer but championship-winning success has always eluded him - which is a shame. RB
In saying that, the bloke who is always last in a humble club race somewhere in this fine kingdom of ours, will always be about 10 times faster and generally more skilled at riding motorbikes than I will ever be ................so who am I to comment RB
Until the Panigale came along, the 999 was the last Ducati with brave styling. Everything since was a hash between it and the 916/748. 1098/1198's are nice, but just don't stand out as much as the original 916 did and as much as the 999 still does. 916 styling is a little boring to me now, maybe years of looking at them in mags and a few years with a 748 has jaded me, but i much prefer the dynamic experience the 999 offers anyway, more nimble bike with a lovely revvy motor. I love my 999S
I must admit i was one of the haters when the 749/999 first came out but over time completely changed my mind - especially the headlights I absolutely love the look of them now. Looks like the 749/999 was ahead of my time.
You only have to look at this bike & go its a Ducati & then start it up oh yea its a Ducati go for a ride on her rev her engine to hear the wonderful sound she makes yea yea yea its a Ducati & I own one brillant.
Good question but what's the thinking behind it? Is it that you can't understand why anyone would like them? - Fair enough I have the same question about adventure bikes Anyway the dynamics speak for themselves and there is a room full of BSB trophies somewhere to prove it! Aesthetically it is 'different' , that is undeniable. It has a masculine ruggedness in the styling that no 916 or 1098 etc had - in fact the 1098 verged dangerously near to looking like a bland Honda in my book - partly to make amends for the shock of the 749 / 999 launch, Distinctive? You bet ...and it's so ugly it is beautiful!
the comment about it looks from the back is true, as that is the way i normaly see it and is also the way most people see it as i go past them
It was the MV something that first had the stacked lights and I don't recall that attracting any adverse comment at the time. I thought (and still think) they look pretty funky. The headlights are also great to use - savage cut off light beam at the sides. What's to like about the 999? It's quite comfy for a sports Ducati - lots of rider position adjustability. Good motor, brakes, handling. It's a handsome bike, very distinctive. The clocks are brilliant - huge analogue tacho. You don't need a degree in computer science to ride one: no modes, ABS, traction control, slipper clutch or other gizmos. Design niggles: The pad on the tank looks a bit cheap and naff. The extra wings on the fairing sides don't aid the aesthetics. The stock silver coloured exhaust on the red and yellow ones is fairly hideous. The levers look cheap. The swingarm on the early ones looks weedy and on the later ones boxy. It's not a problem that's it's a DSS, just that it's not a very beautiful DSS. Mine is now 8 years old, reliable, going in for its 40'000 km service next week and still looks great and rides superbly. I look after it but I'm not OCD about it like many on here. So it must be well built.
Because it's just beautiful ......I love my xerox 749 the handling ,the race pedigree and the sound .. Love it love it love it.....oh and I love it...
