I remember as a young man lusting after a 916, I didn't care that my ride out would be mostly with AA vans or that I would see the countryside mostly on grass verges waiting for the said AA man, to me it was sheer motorcycling porn. Then as they updated and updated it, I wanted it more. Then as sales were finally flagging, they launched the 999 It was as some may remember, a marmite bike with most hating it. Very similar to when the Ferrari Dino came out and the Ferrari purists hating that. Time has mellowed my approach to it so, if you have a 999 or had one, what took your fancy about it and what was/is it like to live with ?
What made me go for the T9 was that it was/is radically different from any Ducati that went before or after...and I saw past the ugly duckling descriptions of immature bike mag journos of the time who based their opinions on looks alone, totally missing the point that the bike handled and performed better than what had gone before. Sure the 916 series was of its time, but its time was up...the king is dead long live the king. I've owned mine for 5 years and I've no intention of replacing it.... oh and BTW there's nothing bad about them and they look best in yella...
What bad? It is the best looking Ducati Race Bike of all time (oh, and the most successful) true some didn't like the stacked headlights - but to say overall it is ugly is foolish (some fools may be along in a minute) It was ahead of it's time as values and following now show. I have a 999R , a Fila 999R and the first of 5 hand built prototypes :Angelic:
I liked the 999 when it was launched but a couple of features weren't to my taste like the top vents on the nose. When the facelift came out it ticked all the boxes for me and the red frame/black wheels combo plus motor upgrade sold it for me. When the sh price went through the floor when the 1098 came out I couldn't resist. That was Oct 2007, it had 4000 miles, loads of carbon, termi half system, and dp seat conversion with all original parts. Its done 37,000 now with a couple of minor problems. I find it really comfortable for a sports bike and the gf likes the pillion seat best out of my bikes(SSie,907). I had a 888 strada in 2002 for a year or two and although I like the 916 series I never really lusted after one.
My 999s was my first Ducati and as I've only been riding 10 years was my "dream bike"... sold it to get all grown up and get a mortgage and wish I'd never got rid as it was a fab bike, loved the sound (full leo vince) and personally I loved the way it looked... super easy to get on with but typically lumpy lower down.... I had a few of the usual problems regulator, TPS and once it did break down but I'd have one back in a flash if I could find a decent one... or maybe an R if I could get my grubby mits on one...:smiley:
Anyone calling this ugly should get their eyes (and head) checked For the OP I recommend reading Cathcart's book - it tells the story of the 999 from the makers' point of view. It has a completely different approach on design and practicality. The 916 was made with design first and other stuff chucked under the fairings after that.
You could get this instead: I agree the '03 is definitely not as pretty as the facelift version. I would not buy it
A 916 bi posta looks just as shit against a race bike there is no real difference in form over the mono vs race trim on either bike.
Yes. Ugly, difficult to ride, uncomfortable, ugly. Tried a well set up one back to back with an 04 Blade I had, hated it. Couldn't wait to get off. Although it funny looks like a different bike when race ripped And I'd probably have an R these days
I had 3 in total, a 2003 999s and then 2x 2004 999r spread over 10 years after buying a house. I only just sold the last r version as I wanted a bit more uptodate electronics TC abs etc, and to retro fit the 999 was possible but all started to add up.. € After a test ride of the 1299 I realised t was time to move on.. still miss the 999r sat in my office though
999 + 749 there really isn't another bike that comes close when it comes to looks. i will have one, or both.
