Anybody on here own or has owned a 999, I saw one on Saturday in a local shop Hayball in Salisbury, and fell in love. My wife said no unless I sell the blade but that is not going to happen. The 999 was swapped for a 09 blade and the owner now wants his 999 back. He offered to take my CB1300 for £5000.00 but I can’t do that my wife wants the CB1300. So please tell me a 999 is a poor bike / ride so I can get this out of my brain or tell me to swop the blade as I won’t regret it.
I'd ride one if I were you, nice bike way way ahead of its time and the most successful race bike that Ducati ever made, they had a few revisions with sump and swing arm so do some research and be sure you know what model your buying, I've rode them from 999' 999s and the 999r, the engine is soft and lazy IMO but speeds are high so if you looking to be blown away by the motor it may shock you to find how lazy and easy the bike is.. Corner speed is shocking and so is exit drive its a fast bike just does not feel it IMO. Stunning looks I think but many hate it, I still say for the street jockey they would say the 999 is the newer bike and the looks are timeless, fit a nice system and they sound the balls! A nice Ti leovince will do nicely.....lol The motor does not suffer the problems of early Ducatis but they do need service for belts each two years that makes home service hard so check costs.. enjoy....lol
Thank you for your thoughts, you make it sound tempting. Any idea which is the best year? Regards, Rob.
Just a quick one, but have a read of this: Ducati 999 (2003-2006) - Ducati Motorcycle Reviews - MCN Read the owner reviews too, but always take things with a pinch of salt. Lovely bike the 999, but if you can go for an R version, they are superb. At the end of the day, any model will not disappoint, just the looks that divided the opinion. Had it not been the successor to the 916/996/998, the looks department may not have been such an issue. Personally I love them. Some really lovely styling details in there such as the rear brake and gear shift levers. As Arthur says, try one, it is very different to a Blade or the like.
Model wise as late as you can go is always best but should you have your eye on one post up year and mileage etc, if you like the 999 and want an involving road bike with stunning looks, a propper "riders" bike imo why not find a nice 749R ?
Thanks for the info, I will keep my eyes open. I saw the 999 and found like the 749r it has a low seat height as Super Cub has short legs. Do Ducati do a Bear? There are just to many good motorbikes in the world. and too few dry days to ride a Ducati. Rob.
Another good v-twin is the KTM RC8. If it is a twin you are after, you can't really beat one, but if it is a Ducati you are after, then there is no substitute. The RC8 is a superbly comfortable and practical bike and can be had for reasonable money nowadays.
Short Fat and Hairy just like on the blade. But you only live once so I have to do what I have to do before I am dead, some one on here said "I am not afraid of dying I am afraid of not living". Just had a quick 70 miles on the blade my god it is good but I am old and the A350 is not as smooth as it looks.
All I would say is that if the A350 is not as smooth as it looks, on the Blade, then it will be like the Somme on a 749/748/999. Having had several Ducati's in the past, I would honestly say you need to try one. The 749/749 does not have the power of a Jap 750, think more 600. Also, bear in mind the servicing costs. (sorry, no bear pun intended!!)
my mate had a 03 999s when it was about a year old. i really loved the look of it and the sound with termi system was unreal but after a quick spin found it very uncomfortable ( for me anyway) but could of lived with it. he had some electrical issues within a week of owning it, i went around to his place on my bike to go out for a spin with him and when he went to the bike the tacho needle was bouncing and most dash lights were on and he still had the keys in his pocket!. other than that he loved it. deffo worth trying first there not for everyone.
A mate has one and really likes it .He came to mine one day and i had to wheel it out of the way and i was amazed how light it was. When it starts up its like a tractor which i like .These are now like the SP1 as in they are started to be noted by collectors ps did any one see the Vimto SP2 joey Dunlop rep on Ebay for about 29K brand new no miles.
I know bugger all about them really, but what i do know for sure is they look as good as any bike i have ever seen, the major positive with a bike like this is the exclusivity, Blades are lovely (i have a 954), but i can't remember ever seeing a 999 on the road, ever. I see very few 954's, but i do see them. That would be a real positive for me, and as said i can see them being collectors items in the not too distant future. I use my bike to commute to work when the days are not too crap, so i need something '' practical '', a 999 is for the real sunny days and for the future.... i would love to have the money to have a ' day bike ' and a show/investment bike, just like the 999. But i would go for the latest and the rarest now, in the future it will lose no money, and you will have something that very few others have.... now that would make pulling the garage door up every morning a real treat.
Bat Fastard (Rich) had a black 999s on an 05 or 06 I think it was. Bloody lovely bike and very rapid through the corners extremely planted and would fire out of the bends. Drop him a line as he is a bit of a Ducati man as well
Everyone should try a Ducati, just to see if it really is their thing. My mate had a 1098S for a few years... he hated it, which meant he was always up for swapping bikes whilst out riding. I absolutely loved riding it, but would not have loved having to insure, service, and keep the thing in rear tyres...... or commute on it, for that matter! And the airbox had a tendency to pop off the intake funnels after a very spirited ride!!!
