Ducati 999 First Impressions: Handling, Sound, Cost & Design

Рет қаралды 5,077

Ай бұрын

Bike: 2003 Ducati 999 Monoposto
Camera: GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition
Software: DaVinci Resolve
Photo at 3:09: www.dg-photoart.com | www.MOTOpixx.com
Music: 0:31-1:07 Cheel - Smokey Eye, 4:39-4:53 Silent Partner - Whistling Down the Road
Every bike comes with its own set of expectations. The question is: Are those clichés or is there any truth to them in reality? After a few months on my 2003 Ducati 999 Monoposto I’m doing a first little test. I specifically review the handling and ergonomics, the classic l-twin exhaust sound, purchase and maintenance cost, and its controversial design by Pierre Terblanche.
I also share my thoughts on a few quirks I have experience during these months, from electronics to one of the weirdest seats I’ve ever experienced on a superbike.
Intrigued? Have a look and tell me what you think. I’d especially like to hear about your experiences with the 999. Where they met in the end? Tell me in the comments below.
By the way, check out this awesome 999 online community: / 825717764676160

Пікірлер: 91

@HedgeCCL Ай бұрын

Over the past few years, I've been fortunate enough to own a 998s FE, 916 SPS, 749R & a 999R - all at the same time. I decided, one day, it was (literally) time to own only one. I didn't have to think long. The 999R is a keeper. It is sooooooo nice to ride. It handles like a dream, is so flattering. I cherish mine, I'll never get rid.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

That's some proper experience 👍 I can only compare the 999 to a standard 998 and a 916 SPS, but I agree: The 999 handles a lot better. But I don't know if I could live without the looks of the 916/998 😍 That would be one of the hardest decisions of my life.

@HedgeCCL Ай бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo I hear you - & I've still not decided whether to roll the 998 on yet. As you say, it's sooooooo damn pretty!

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

@@HedgeCCL I still recall selling my 998. I regretted that so much I had to buy a 916 SPS. And I still miss that 998 😅

@BangAverageRider Ай бұрын

What do u miss about the 998 that the 916 doesnt have?

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

@@BangAverageRider The 998 is a bit more refined overall. For example, the testastretta is smoother than the desmoquattro. The 998 has lighter 5-spoke wheels than the 3-spokers on the 916, and the self-retracting sidestand on the 916 is downright criminal 😁 I still love my SPS, though, and would never give it back.

@samuelmischler1623 11 күн бұрын

I own a 999s mono and a 749 dark, on road and on track. The 999 was and still is the only Ducati SBK I ever wanted. I can not tell why, but it had something special. I love Pierre Terblanches design, therefor I have an aircooled Multistrada (road and track as well) since 2008. I saved the 999 from being scrapted about 3 years ago. The bike came with a load of pieces, but had an accident on the track. So I rebuild the bike, but kept the "wounds" because nobody shall hide it's past. The suspensions has been overhauled and adjusted to my needs, new bodywork etc.pp. Then our 14 year old son came along last year telling me that he would like to join me on the track. After lurking around evaluating bikes we found a 749 dark for a reasonable price. And took it with. Same here: Maintenance (easy to make by yourself), overhauling the suspension and adoption (with some bad surprises), but we were out with the two this year on the track ... fabulous! The bike is about 20 years ahead of it's time. A real beauty. Young riders come along and ask what bike it is, and are surprised when they are told that this is a Ducati. Older are just surprised that those bikes still run. Of course: Power-wise it's not edge anymore. But the bike is surprisingly fast. The reason seems the be the aerodynamics. Even following ways faster bikes on the straight are not a big issue. Never owned, but often ridden, a SBK before I love the stretched seating position taking the tank "in my arms" while cornering. The brakes are still bonkers (using the softest street-legal pads) and technical issues ... what's that, please? I documented the rebuild of the 999 at www.moto-coach.ch/aufbau-superbike.html. And probably we see us ones. I often ride on Anneau du Rhin in the Alsace close to the German border. My son too. So why not riding 3 of these beauties on the track ... Thanks for the videos. Love them.

@DonnieDesmo 10 күн бұрын

Very cool story! Anneau du Rhin is exactly where I also went with mine, although despite the relative lack of power nowadays I feel these bikes are more at home on faster tracks. The predecessor 998 felt right at home at Hockenheim, for example. Great to hear you have the little and the big one, too - how do they compare?

@samuelmischler1623 10 күн бұрын

Hi@@DonnieDesmo. They behave similar but the engine makes a huge difference. The less rotating mass of the smaller 749 engine makes the 749 makes the bike very nimble and handy. The 749 engine revs easier and ways more linear then the 999 engine, and you know, the 999 engine is already VERY linear. But the 749 has less grunt and this gives you more confidene to accellerate earlier. In short: the 749 might be ridden faster in the corners and does not loose that much on the short straight in Anneau du Rhin. Your observation about the capabilities and high speed of the 999 is correct. Thanks to the aerodynamics of the 999 (compare the width of the bike with a 1098 or any other successor, or also the 916/996/998 you will remarque that the 999 is slimmer then all those or any bike of a competitor. This small silluette results in a relative high topend speed compared with the power of the bike. A Panigale V2, 155 bhp, has no chance to follow a 999 with 136 bhp (ok, mine has 138 🙂). At Anneau du Rhin I achieved 262, at Dijon 268 and at Cremona 258 km/h according the speedo. I was capable to follow and pass the Panigale V4s, had a dead-race in Cremona with RSV4-1100 and was even capable to pass my brother on his 1098 R out of the slip stream. An indicator for the aerodynamics is: In rain you don't need rain pants, only the top and water resistant boots. Your legs never get really wet. So yes, the 999 loves top speed, and lacks of handling compared with the modern bikes in the very slow corners. Over 80 km/h the bikes starts to feel perfect. I love it. Suggested mods on the 999 are: - Anti-hopping clutch - lighter wheels - Rexxer mapping

@DonnieDesmo 10 күн бұрын

@@samuelmischler1623 That reminds of my experience with the 998 and the 899 Panigale. I actually did faster lap-times on the 998, which I think mostly had to do with front-end feel and mid-range grunt. It's interesting the 749 performs so well!

@samuelmischler1623 10 күн бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo I guess that the 749 is about 2 to 2,5 sec slower in Anneau du Rhin then the 999, but it's so much less stress to ride. Happy to have both.

@DonnieDesmo 10 күн бұрын

@@samuelmischler1623 Did you do anything about the seat? I find it really slippery.

@charlier6566 Ай бұрын

Beautiful bike with timeless appeal! It really has stood the test of time. Thank you for the video. I liked the final bits. Had a few chuckles. lol

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

You're welcome! The outtakes are always the best 😁

@NewtonInDaHouseYo Ай бұрын

Congratulations, Donnie! I'm also in the 916/996/998/F4 camp. But when I first saw a 999s stop in front of me, I was captivated: It's compact, narrow and yet has this visual "heft" of the front fairing slab and the trellis frame in the back. A really cool machine in its own right. Now I want one, too! Even a nice 749s in yellow would be a dream.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

I actually didn't really look at yellow ones until after I bought this one. The 749/999 might be the best-looking yellow Ducati out there...

@dannywills9339 Ай бұрын

Incredible video and beautiful bike !!

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Thank you ☺

@antheaholder3979 12 күн бұрын

I love the 999 videos. keep them coming Donnie Desmo.

@DonnieDesmo 12 күн бұрын

Thank you, I definitely will!

@Rgh71fish Ай бұрын

Happy to hear you like your 999. Its an easy bike to love, if you ask me. As far as its beauty (or lack thereof, depending on opinion) is concerned, from my experience, the only people that have a problem with this bike from a visual standpoint are the overly faithful 916 fans. Every other person on a day to day basis, biker or not turns to stare at this motorcycle. It looks like nothing else ever has, and it will never be mistaken for anything else. Maintenance and belt changes are a breeze. There are only a fraction of the fasteners and less panels to remove than the 1098 that replaced it. Riding it is of course pure joy. It feels like being on something truly exotic.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

I sometimes think that the criticism of its design is more of a habit than actual sentiment. It is an absolute head-turner.

@michelalphonso6945 6 күн бұрын

I preferred when Ducati painted their tubular frames either red or white ! It gave them charm and a kinda custom handmade look instead of a assembly line manufacture look... I was very disappointed when they changed the color in their 900ss of the 90's ! I am curious to see what this bike would look like in a red or white frame ?

@DonnieDesmo 6 күн бұрын

From the 2005 model year on they actually painted the 999's frame red, you can look it up via google image search 👍 I've never seen one with a white frame, though...

@michelalphonso6945 6 күн бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo Yes I did see a red looking at other videos.

@dannywills9339 Ай бұрын

The outtakes are the best haha

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Totally, at least I don't fall over my own feet 😁

@volodymyrforos1031 Ай бұрын

Congratulations man..she is an absolute beauty. And yeah, a miracle to live with

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Thank you and couldn't agree more 😊

@volodymyrforos1031 Ай бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo glad for you, man, to have such an opportunity to own this masterpiece, I only dream about. Greetings from Ukraine

@alanwharton8855 Ай бұрын

Stunning 999.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@TheDucpilot Ай бұрын

Good video Donnie, although I wouldn't mind some fly-by actions either LOL. I own a 996 biposto and a 999s and love them both for different reasons. The 996/916/998 is widely loved for its looks, but quite honestly the 999s draws even more attention nowadays. They are so special and have only been produced for about 4 years, so you seldomly encounter them in real. And somehow in real life they look sooo much better than on pictures. Enjoy your bikes!

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Flyby action is only a matter of time... 😉 And agreed! The 999 stands out more. It really follows a different design philosophy.

@thewanderingalbatross1061 24 күн бұрын

Hey Donnie, 748/853 and a 999 here! The 9 is a better bike in most aspects. Even though I'm much more conformable on it I still prefer the position of the 916. The 999 is too upright, I'm small and my elbows hit tank and low speed turns, Doesn't happen on my 748. The front end on the 999 also feels very light, it doesn't inspire confidence for me. All my non bike friends like the 999 better. Happy riding!

@DonnieDesmo 24 күн бұрын

That's interesting! I always thought the 916 would be more uncomfortable/impractical for most riders. And I agree: the front-end of the 916 is just one of a kind. However, I find the 999's front-end way more confidence-inspiring than the Panigale's.

@adriaticbatman Ай бұрын

Nice video...I was looking at buying a 999 and then came across an beautifully maintained 1098R and bought that....

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Excellent pick! It would be best to have them both 😁

@jaredhorne1722 21 күн бұрын

999s Nero owner checking in. It's a track toy primarily. Still road legal, but like most superbikes it's miserable until you start pushing. Not enough room for a bike like this on public roads. But in black - oh so sexy! Great bike.

@DonnieDesmo 21 күн бұрын

Sounds awesome! Great-looking bike in black.

@Henke3000 Ай бұрын

Nice video, more 999 videos please!

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

They will come! 😊

@Henke3000 Ай бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo Music to our ears! :)

@severinhendrikx7893 Ай бұрын

I bought a 999s after owning a harley and some moto guzzis. I wanted something exotic but also relatively easy to maintain. Just for a couple of years intill i can buy something else. …. Now After 1,5 years i can safely say that this is the bike i love most. Its reliable, (i have the faclift model), very fast) and has a lot of character. And the only superbike that fits my tall posture. And compared to new 2024 bikes it seems to have aged very well.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

I'm also tall and have to really fold myself to fit on most Ducati superbikes. The 999 is almost a relief by comparison 😅 I wonder how the 1098 feels in that regard...

@TheDaeldren Ай бұрын

I’m still getting used to mine but I know now why everyone waxes poetic about the Testastratta motor.

@TheDaeldren Ай бұрын

I built my 999 from parts during the pandemic and it allowed me to notice smaller things on it. Like the rear shock linkage still carries the cagiva logo, probably a parts surplus but a neat little detail.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

@@TheDaeldren Wow, that would be quite the unusual part for a 2003 bike!

@ZEYS1000 Ай бұрын

Greetings from Greece!

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Hello back! How are you?

@DustyVisorMotorcycles Ай бұрын

I have the 749S and find it a dream to ride, weekend weapon and it's easy to get the fairings off, sounds great also, I did a start up video of it on my channel.........😎

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Very cool bike! ☺

@alexh5492 24 күн бұрын

currently looking at buying one right now, just curious on the reliability aspect as I’ve never owned a ducati, it’s a 2003 with 8k miles

@DonnieDesmo 24 күн бұрын

8k miles is a good thing as long as it hasn't been standing around for 10 years, I would say. The 2003 version's electric's are supposed to be a bit more sensitive, especially when the bike gets wet. The engine warning light switches on for nor reason at times. I've been riding it since the end of last year and it has always started first try and never stopped. I just had stalling at traffic lights a tiny few times. Everything else is working fine, so far!

@gds7662 24 күн бұрын

Possiedo una 999s monoposto. È una moto eccezionale,una linea senza tempo,amo questa moto.

@DonnieDesmo 24 күн бұрын

Congratulazioni! È veramente una moto eccezionale ☺

@pietrolugozzi5028 Ай бұрын

Hi, I really like this bike and I want to buy one, but I'm scared of reliability and stuff like that... How much is reliable? Is it worth to buy an mk2 version for reliability improvements?

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Hi, yes I'd honestly recommend to go for one of the later versions if you can choose and don't like hickups. I have the first iteration because this one looked to good to miss and I don't care about a few quirks here and there. I'm used to those 😅

@elviejocuesta2829 Ай бұрын

I have a 999 and pass the new generations superbike easy not struggling or fighting with the bike like my old 1098 or Aprilia RSV 1000

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

I also feel riding the classic bikes feels more challenging than riding the newer ones - even though the newer ones are faster. There is simply more skill required without traction control, ABS and the like.

@Ducatista749s Ай бұрын

Mine is a 749s and it needed some love but it is almost completely redone

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Congrats! I hope you'll be done soon and can enjoy the bike 👍

@Ducatista749s Ай бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo thanks! It’s my first bike. I’ve done 10k miles on it in the last 2 years so far. They’re pretty pleasant to work on if you haven’t torn into yours yet. Fixing the dash’s electroluminescent panel to repair the backlighting was a pita though.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

@@Ducatista749s Which model year is it? The electrics on the 2003 model have a bit of a reputation. Of course, mine is from 2003 😁

@Ducatista749s Ай бұрын

@@DonnieDesmo haha mine is an 04, but I’m quite confident it also has the same ecu. They changed it over for 05 model year as far as I can tell. My stator just completely cooked itself recently which triggered this going through. Hoping it makes it run better. Next I’m doing TPS reset and co adjustment, belts, and rebuilding the clutch master / buying new discs. Just finished the stator, voltage rectifier, oil, coolant, rear brake master, . The vibration of the motor caused the contacts on the electroluminescent panel to rub off. I replaced it with a slightly better one until I figure something else out. Do you have the tickover stalling problem? I’m hoping the stator was causing mine or contributing

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

@@Ducatista749s It's weird. I had it stall a few times at traffic lightds and thought it just doesn't rev high enough on idle. It hasn't happened everytime I've ridden the bike, though. The last few times it worked perfectly.

@jorjimaco5331 Ай бұрын

So…. The 996R is a testa motor(998) the 998 is a 998 and the 999 is a 998 testa motor and the frames is all the same??? Except the rear sub frame.. 🤔

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Wow, I had to look this up 😁 The frame is very similar to the 998's, but not the same. For example, the frame's upper rails have a slightly different shape to make room for a larger airbox and the steering head is placed a bit differently for more steering lock.

@mick998r Ай бұрын

Excellent chassis and engine shame about the looks. I would touch one with yours Donnie.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

The looks have really grown on me over the years.

@Balafoutre Ай бұрын

To be honest, the my2006 999R is my favourite Ducati.

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

Great choice I say! Although one of the WSBK replicas might also be a good pick ☺

@tomitomi7214 24 күн бұрын

Needs loud pipe, othewise she is stunning

@DonnieDesmo 24 күн бұрын

The funny thing is she's way louder than I thought. I was surprised they let me go on track with it. But yeah, carbon Termignoni has a nice ring to it 😁

@highoctanestuff Ай бұрын

Never understood the love for the 916. Its ugly. That 3 spoke rear wheel? Give me a 999R any day.

@DonnieDesmo 29 күн бұрын

Well, in the defense of the 916: Later models of the 996 and 748 and the 998 in general came with 5 spoke wheels. Even for the original 916 you could get golden 5 spoke Magnesium wheels which look amazing and were used in WSBK.

@belvedere98 Ай бұрын

It is just not that pretty then the predecessor, sure a better bike. But just, Mwa… compare it to the first ever Robocop movie, an instant classic. The latest modern version, sure better cgi, better camerawork but cannot stand in the shadow of the original 😅

@DonnieDesmo Ай бұрын

It's a bit off-topic but that newer Robocop movie doesn't hold a candle to the original. It's not even terrible, but the original is a classic and they would have had to dig a lot deeper than they did to even come close. At least the 999 won some championship titles, the new Robocop didn't win anything 😁