Ducati 999
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| Manufacturer | Ducati |
|---|---|
| Also called | “Nine-nine-nine” and “Triple nine” |
| Parent company | Ducati Motor Holdings, SpA |
| Production | 2003-2006 |
| Predecessor | Ducati 998 |
| Successor | Ducati 1098 |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 998—999 cc, liquid cooled, four stroke, 90° L-twin DOHC, 4 desmodromic valves per cylinder |
| Bore / stroke | 998 cc: 100 mm x 63.5 mm 999 cc: 104 mm x 58.8 mm (999R) |
| Transmission | 6-speed constant-mesh sequential manual |
| Related | Ducati 749 |
The Ducati 999 is a sport bike made by Ducati from 2003 to 2006. It superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes. This motorcycle enjoyed great success in World Superbike, and was raced in the series through the 2007 season, despite no longer being produced, pending rules changes by the series’ governing body, FIM, to allow competition of the new Ducati 1098.
The 999 was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy over its styling. It is known as a high performance, race oriented motorcycle. With its traditional Ducati L Twin Desmodromic Valve actuated engine layout, it has a linear power delivery, with high power and torque figures available even at low RPM. Additionally, with its high spec suspension and trellis chassis, it is one of the finest handling motorcycles for its time.
The most beloved are the later model Monoposto with SBK rear trailing arm.
Subsequently, more powerful 999S and 999R versions were introduced, both capable of 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under three seconds; and a top speed of over 170 mph (270 km/h).
The 2005 Ducati 999S won the Maxisport category for the prestigious international Masterbike 2005 comparison and finished second overall. It has received critical acclaim from many corners, such as MCN of the U.K. which called it “simply the best V-Twin on the planet”, and Motorbikestoday.com, which described it as “the most desirable, most exciting roadbike on the planet” in 2004. MotorcycleUSA.com described it as “stupendous” and “the epitome of V-Twin power.” Also known as “the F1 of the motorcycles” in 2005.
Racing
From the start the 999 was very successful in the Superbike World Championship, winning world championships in:
- 2003 Neil Hodgson
- 2004 James Toseland
- 2006 Troy Bayliss
Gregorio Lavilla also won the 2005 BSB Title on a 999 F04.
Specifications
| 999 (2003) | 999 (2006) | 999S (2006) | 999R (2006) | 999R Xerox (2006) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled | |||||
| Displacement | 997.46 cc | 999 cc | ||||
| Bore x Stroke | 100.0 mm × 63.5 mm (3.9 in × 2.5 in) 498.73 cc |
104.0 mm × 58.8 mm (4.1 in × 2.3 in) 499.5 cc |
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| Compression Ratio | 11.4:1 | 12.5;1 | ||||
| Power | 91 kW (124 PS; 122 hp) @ 9,750 pm | 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) @ 9,750 pm | 105.2 kW (143 PS; 141 hp) @ 9,750 rpm | 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 9,750 rpm | ||
| Torque | 10.4 kg⋅m (102.0 N⋅m; 75.2 lb⋅ft) @ 8,000 rpm | 11.1 kg⋅m (108.9 N⋅m; 80.3 lb⋅ft) @ 8,000 rpm | 11.4 kg⋅m (111.8 N⋅m; 82.5 lb⋅ft) @ 8,000 rpm | 11.9 kg⋅m (116.7 N⋅m; 86.1 lb⋅ft) @ 8,000 rpm | ||
| Fuel injection | Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body | |||||
| Exhaust | Single steel exhaust with catalytic converter | |||||
| Emissions | Euro2 | |||||
| Gearbox | 6-speed constant-mesh sequential manual | |||||
| Ratios | 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24 | |||||
| Primary drive | Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84 | |||||
| Final drive | Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36 | |||||
| Clutch | Dry multiplate with hydraulic control | |||||
| Frame | Tubular steel trellis | |||||
| Wheelbase | 1420 mm / 55.9 in | |||||
| Rake | 23.5° – 24.5° | |||||
| Front suspension | Showa 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment | Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork, with TiN surface treatment, for radial calipers | ||||
| Front wheel travel | 125 mm / 4.9 in | 120 mm / 4.7 in | ||||
| Front brake | 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad caliper | 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad radial caliper | ||||
| Front wheel | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17 | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 3.50 x 17 | ||||
| Front tyre | 120/70 ZR 17 | |||||
| Rear suspension | Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock | |||||
| Rear wheel travel | 128 mm / 5 in | |||||
| Rear brake | 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper | |||||
| Rear wheel | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17 | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 5.50 x 17 | ||||
| Rear tyre | 190/50 ZR 17 | |||||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.5 L (3.4 imp gal; 4.1 US gal) (includes 3 L reserve) | |||||
| Weight | 199 kg / 439 lbs | 186 kg / 410 lbs | 181 kg / 399 lbs | |||
| Seat height | 780 mm / 30.7 in | |||||
| Versions | Dual seat | Single seat Dual seat |
Single seat | |||
References
