Ducati 999 - am I mad?
Discussion
I currently have a Honda CB1000R (2012) which I'm pretty happy with, but I am one to get bored, sometimes spontaneously. It's a great bike, good for what I use it for but just somewhat lacking in excitement. On the one hand I'd like to to some more mileage and tour a couple of countries for which the CB1000R in it's 'naked' form isn't ideal. On the other hand I can ditch the touring idea and go the opposite way with a Ducati 999 (probably 06-onwards).
I've narrowed my shortlist somewhat, to a Honda VFR800 (2015-onwards) which would be perfectly for touring as well as a long commute, or a Ducati 999 --- I am aware the 999's looks are an acquired taste and it most certainly isn't built for touring (or communing), but I've always been a fan and am increasingly feeling the urge to get on a 999.
Everybody I've mentioned it to thus far has said the 999 is hideous around town with it's V-twin and to look out for the usual mid-2000s Ducati electrical gremlins. I wouldn't do great mileage on it 100mls/month probably so I can always keep it as a typical Sunday morning toy and get something like a big CC scooter for the weekday commute.
Multistrada 950 is always lurking in the shadows as well...
I've narrowed my shortlist somewhat, to a Honda VFR800 (2015-onwards) which would be perfectly for touring as well as a long commute, or a Ducati 999 --- I am aware the 999's looks are an acquired taste and it most certainly isn't built for touring (or communing), but I've always been a fan and am increasingly feeling the urge to get on a 999.
Everybody I've mentioned it to thus far has said the 999 is hideous around town with it's V-twin and to look out for the usual mid-2000s Ducati electrical gremlins. I wouldn't do great mileage on it 100mls/month probably so I can always keep it as a typical Sunday morning toy and get something like a big CC scooter for the weekday commute.
Multistrada 950 is always lurking in the shadows as well...
Edited by FatboyKim on Wednesday 8th June 11:13
All great bikes.
It sounds like you don't know what to do yourself
and you need a 2 bikes garage.
I've toured on naked and it's absolutely fine, unless you like touring north of 100mph which might make for a very short tour for legal reasons these days and age I'm afraid!
999, in my opinion, has aged very well.
It sounds like you don't know what to do yourself
and you need a 2 bikes garage.I've toured on naked and it's absolutely fine, unless you like touring north of 100mph which might make for a very short tour for legal reasons these days and age I'm afraid!
999, in my opinion, has aged very well.
Hello,
Did something similar a few years ago going from BMW GS to MV Agusta F4. Like you, just beacuse I always wanted one.
I have done a couple of tours, but you need ti understand your body will take time to adjust to the new position. Which won't be fun. Oh and you'll be crying in pain if the speed goes below about 40mph.
However, when it works, it makes the commute a lot of fun and it can be very manageable for a few days away. Anything longer, e.g. Alpine passes, and I'd get it transported there, or trailer it myself and just base myself at a hotel and enjoy it doing what it does.
In short, JFDI.
Did something similar a few years ago going from BMW GS to MV Agusta F4. Like you, just beacuse I always wanted one.
I have done a couple of tours, but you need ti understand your body will take time to adjust to the new position. Which won't be fun. Oh and you'll be crying in pain if the speed goes below about 40mph.
However, when it works, it makes the commute a lot of fun and it can be very manageable for a few days away. Anything longer, e.g. Alpine passes, and I'd get it transported there, or trailer it myself and just base myself at a hotel and enjoy it doing what it does.
In short, JFDI.
sclayto2 said:
...In short, JFDI.
That's also what every person has said so far I've had a couple of sports bikes in the past, and crossed a few countries on a CBR600RR with a lot of luggage, so the riding position isn't alien to me but touring on one just wasn't ideal. If I end up with a 999, I think I'd rather just drool over it and enjoy it for a typical Sunday morning blast now and then. Red or yellow... I'm not fussy
Having owned a 999R many years ago I can give you some of the pro's/con's and also what to look out for.
Pro's
Much more relaxed riding position compared to the 916/996/998 bikes
Adjustable ergos - You can move the seat/tank, adjust the height of the rearsets to suit.
Great chassis - standard on Ducati's
Con's
Around town they're not great - change the stock gearing, drop 1 off the front or go up 2/3 on the rear helps
Clutch is heavy which is a standard trait on Ducati's of that era, aftermarket slave cylinder will resolve this
There is no storage on the 999 - the toolkit is velcroed inside the sidepanel as an example
Common issues
There are a few minor electrical gremlins to be aware of - the relays are by the battery box but mounted upside down, so can get water ingress, you can move them or carry a spare relay or two.
Front coils used to fail due to all of the debris being flung up at the front cylinder, Ducati fixed this on later bikes with updated coils.
If you take the tank off, make sure you reseat the fuel lines correctly
Pro's
Much more relaxed riding position compared to the 916/996/998 bikes
Adjustable ergos - You can move the seat/tank, adjust the height of the rearsets to suit.
Great chassis - standard on Ducati's
Con's
Around town they're not great - change the stock gearing, drop 1 off the front or go up 2/3 on the rear helps
Clutch is heavy which is a standard trait on Ducati's of that era, aftermarket slave cylinder will resolve this
There is no storage on the 999 - the toolkit is velcroed inside the sidepanel as an example
Common issues
There are a few minor electrical gremlins to be aware of - the relays are by the battery box but mounted upside down, so can get water ingress, you can move them or carry a spare relay or two.
Front coils used to fail due to all of the debris being flung up at the front cylinder, Ducati fixed this on later bikes with updated coils.
If you take the tank off, make sure you reseat the fuel lines correctly
I bought one a couple of years ago… for the same reasons as you
Pros
Every ride an event
Pretty reliable
Riding position good
Precise
Fast
Great brakes
Negative
It feels like a highly strung racehorse, it doesn’t encourage road riding within the legal framework.
Clutch modulation tricky and gets harder the hotter it is.
The engine occasionally just dies, usually when changing into second or first, as you let the clutch out the rear wheel tends to lock… be quick pulling the clutch back in!
Pros
Every ride an event
Pretty reliable
Riding position good
Precise
Fast
Great brakes
Negative
It feels like a highly strung racehorse, it doesn’t encourage road riding within the legal framework.
Clutch modulation tricky and gets harder the hotter it is.
The engine occasionally just dies, usually when changing into second or first, as you let the clutch out the rear wheel tends to lock… be quick pulling the clutch back in!
Kawasicki said:
Negative
It feels like a highly strung racehorse, it doesn’t encourage road riding within the legal framework.
Clutch modulation tricky and gets harder the hotter it is.
The engine occasionally just dies, usually when changing into second or first, as you let the clutch out the rear wheel tends to lock… be quick pulling the clutch back in!
Right, okay! Problem with the neutral switch?It feels like a highly strung racehorse, it doesn’t encourage road riding within the legal framework.
Clutch modulation tricky and gets harder the hotter it is.
The engine occasionally just dies, usually when changing into second or first, as you let the clutch out the rear wheel tends to lock… be quick pulling the clutch back in!
A good proportion of them have Termi box as well, which is obviously desirable. Does it cook your arse?
FatboyKim said:
Right, okay! Problem with the neutral switch?
A good proportion of them have Termi box as well, which is obviously desirable. Does it cook your arse?
Probably less than stock pipes, it’ll be cooler due to not having baffles. A good proportion of them have Termi box as well, which is obviously desirable. Does it cook your arse?
With the placement of the rear cylinder/exhaust they all get warm at low speed
I bought a 749 in November as it was a bike I’d wanted for a long time.
Not much more to add on the pros and cons front apart from the fact that if you’re in bike jeans, it will cook your left calf in town. I’ve actually had light skin crisping from it.
I don’t find it uncomfortable over longer distances though, in fact possible more comfortable than the NC30 it replaced.
If you are buying one, especially a late one, make sure that the valve clearances have been done recently as well as the belts, or budget £800 to pay someone else to do it and buy a cheaper one with this in mind.
Not much more to add on the pros and cons front apart from the fact that if you’re in bike jeans, it will cook your left calf in town. I’ve actually had light skin crisping from it.
I don’t find it uncomfortable over longer distances though, in fact possible more comfortable than the NC30 it replaced.
If you are buying one, especially a late one, make sure that the valve clearances have been done recently as well as the belts, or budget £800 to pay someone else to do it and buy a cheaper one with this in mind.
They're a fairly unique experience. If you've never ridden a Ducati you might be in for a bit of a shock with a 999. I have a 999R which is slightly edgier than a normal 999 or 999S and my ZX9R feels like a big soft sofa compared to the Ducati. You'd most probably have a test ride of one if you're close to buying - if you don't gel with it the first time have one or two more test rides so you're not simultaneously deciding whether to buy or not whilst you're adjusting to how it "works".
Speed addicted said:
Kawasicki said:
I don’t think it’s a problem with the neutral switch. If I increase the idle then the problem goes away. I don’t have a termignoni, mine is standard.
Could be the TPS needing adjustment? 
Love my 999.
It’s quite ‘old skool’ in riding position, you’re sat well back, but it’s lovely, light and flickable.
Mine was dirt cheap when I got it, gone up a chunk now, but still affordable and imho an alll round nicer to rider bike than the 916 stable bikes. And less intimidating than the 1098 and 1198.
It’s quite ‘old skool’ in riding position, you’re sat well back, but it’s lovely, light and flickable.
Mine was dirt cheap when I got it, gone up a chunk now, but still affordable and imho an alll round nicer to rider bike than the 916 stable bikes. And less intimidating than the 1098 and 1198.
dibblecorse said:
Speed addicted said:
They’re certainly a bike that’s grown on me over the years, I think after the 916 shape the 999 just seemed plain, now it’s classy!
Now let's not go too far lol, I'd never ever sell my 996 before this lol
I know the later bikes are technically superior but there’s something about that shape.
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