Ducati 999
title: "Ducati 999" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ducati-motorcycles", "sport-bikes", "motorcycles-introduced-in-2003", "motorcycles-designed-by-pierre-terblanche", "motorcycles-powered-by-v-engines"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_999" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox Motorcycle"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Ducati 999 |
| image | Ducati 999 2005.jpg |
| aka | "Nine-nine-nine" and "Triple nine" |
| manufacturer | Ducati |
| production | 2003–2006 |
| predecessor | Ducati 998 |
| successor | Ducati 1098 |
| parent_company | Ducati Motor Holdings, SpA |
| 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 |
| :: |
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/2006Ducati999R-001.jpg" caption="2006 Ducati 999R Xerox"] ::
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 It superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes.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.
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
::data[format=table]
| 999 (2003) | 999 (2006) | 999S (2006) | 999R (2006) | 999R Xerox (2006) | Engine | Displacement | Bore x Stroke | Compression Ratio | Power | Torque | Fuel injection | Exhaust | Emissions | Gearbox | Ratios | Primary drive | Final drive | Clutch | Frame | Wheelbase | Rake | Front suspension | Front wheel travel | Front brake | Front wheel | Front tyre | Rear suspension | Rear wheel travel | Rear brake | Rear wheel | Rear tyre | Fuel tank capacity | Weight | Seat height | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 997.46 cc | 999 cc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100.0 x | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 498.73 cc | 104.0 x | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 499.5 cc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.4:1 | 12.5;1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 91 kW @ 9,750 pm | 103 kW @ 9,750 pm | 105.2 kW @ 9,750 rpm | 110 kW @ 9,750 rpm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.4 kgm @ 8,000 rpm | 11.1 kgm @ 8,000 rpm | 11.4 kgm @ 8,000 rpm | 11.9 kgm @ 8,000 rpm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Single steel exhaust with catalytic converter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Euro2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6-speed constant-mesh sequential manual | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dry multiplate with hydraulic control | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tubular steel trellis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1420 mm / 55.9 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23.5° - 24.5° | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 125 mm / 4.9 in | 120 mm / 4.7 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17 | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 3.50 x 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 120/70 ZR 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 128 mm / 5 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17 | Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 5.50 x 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 190/50 ZR 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15.5 L (includes 3 L reserve) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 199 kg / 439 lbs | 186 kg / 410 lbs | 181 kg / 399 lbs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 780 mm / 30.7 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dual seat | Single seat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dual seat | Single seat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
Reviews
A 2003 road test review in Newsweek said the Ducati 999 resembled "a red Pegasus on wheels", praising is stylishness as well as its "sheer velocity". A 2013 review in Motorcyclist commended the sportbike's handling, saying "The front wheel sticks to the road like perfectly cooked pasta to a wall, and the four-pad Brembos are strong enough to slam your eyeballs against in the inside of your faceshield."
Notes
References
References
- Max, Josh. (23 June 2003). "LOW-FLYING BIKE". [[Newsweek]].
- Smith, Jerry. (September 2013). "Smart Money". Motorcyclist.
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