Ducati 999

Ducati 999
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
Transmission 6-speed
Related Ducati 749

The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006. 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 an extremely 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.

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 2nd 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."

Racing

From the start the 999 was, very successful in the Superbike World Championship, winning world championships in:

Gregorio Lavilla also won the 2005 BSB Title on a 999 F04.

Specifications

999R Xerox (2006) 999R (2006) 999S (2006) 999 (2006)
Engine L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled
Displacement 999 cc 999 cc 998 cc 998 cc
Bore x Stroke 104 x 58.8 mm 104 x 58.8 mm 100 x 63.5 mm 100 x 63.5 mm
Compression Ratio 12.5:1 12.5:1 11.4;1 11.4:1
Power 110 kW - 148 hp @ 9750 rpm 110 kW - 148 hp @ 9750 rpm 105.2 kW - 142 hp @ 9750 rpm 103 kW - 138 hp @ 9750 rpm
Torque 11.9 kg·m (116.7 N·m; 86.1 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm 11.9 kg·m (116.7 N·m; 86.1 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm 11.4 kg·m (111.8 N·m; 82.5 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm 11.1 kg·m (108.9 N·m; 80.3 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm
Fuel injection Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body
Exhaust Single steel muffler with catalytic converter Single steel muffler with catalytic converter Single steel muffler with catalytic converter Single steel muffler with catalytic converter
Emissions Euro2 Euro2 Euro2 Euro2
Gearbox 6 speed 6 speed 6 speed 6 speed
Ratios 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24 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 Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84 Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84 Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84
Final drive Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36 Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36 Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36 Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36
Clutch Dry multiplate with hydraulic control Dry multiplate with hydraulic control Dry multiplate with hydraulic control Dry multiplate with hydraulic control
Frame Tubular steel trellis Tubular steel trellis Tubular steel trellis Tubular steel trellis
Wheelbase 1420 mm / 55.9 in 1420 mm / 55.9 in 1420 mm / 55.9 in 1420 mm / 55.9 in
Rake 23.5° - 24.5° 23.5° - 24.5° 23.5° - 24.5° 23.5° - 24.5°
Front suspension Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork, with TiN surface treatment, for radial calipers Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment, for radial calipers Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment, for radial calipers Showa 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment
Front wheel travel 120 mm / 4.7 in 120 mm / 4.7 in 120 mm / 4.7 in 125 mm / 4.9 in
Front brake 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad radial caliper 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad radial caliper 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad radial caliper 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad caliper
Front wheel Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 3.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 3.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17
Front tyre 120/70 ZR 17 120/70 ZR 17 120/70 ZR 17 120/70 ZR 17
Rear suspension Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock
Rear wheel travel 128 mm / 5 in 128 mm / 5 in 128 mm / 5 in 128 mm / 5 in
Rear brake 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear wheel Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 5.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy forged 5.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17 Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Rear tyre 190/50 ZR 17 190/50 ZR 17 190/50 ZR 17 190/50 ZR 17
Fuel tank capacity 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve) 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve) 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve) 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve)
Weight[1] 181 kg / 399 lbs 181 kg / 399 lbs 186 kg / 410 lbs 186 kg / 410 lbs
Seat height 780 mm / 30.7 in 780 mm / 30.7 in 780 mm / 30.7 in 780 mm / 30.7 in
Colours (Tank-Frame-Wheels) Xerox-red-black red-red-black red-red-black
black-black-black
red-red-black
black-black-black
Versions Single seat Single seat Single seat
Dual seat[2]
Dual seat

References

  1. ^ The weight excludes battery, lubricants and, where applicable, cooling liquid.
  2. ^ dual seat not available in North America.