Ducati 999

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Ducati 999s

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 It superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes.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.

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.

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