Thanks for another of your videos, Donnie. As a long-term 998 owner who has spent plenty of time on the 999, I have my own thoughts. For many years I hated the styling and dismissed them as the unfortunate result of letting an egotistical designer ruin what was the 'perfect' motorcycle. However, experience and a more open mind has now resulted in a change of mind and my planning to eventually acquire a 999 as my track bike. Here are some opinions -

1. The 999 is definitely more comfortable, easier to spend a day in the saddle.
2. The best handling bike I have ever ridden was a well set up virtually stock 999 Bip (with single seat unit, cans and a 999S rear Ohlins shock). It was incredible on track and made me feel that I could lean until my ears bled and leave the braking until tomorrow.
3. The Testa motor is a lovely thing.
4. The 999/749 clocks are great.
5. The mirrors aren't.
6. Same old hard starting/naff battery cables/dodgy reg-rec. Easy to sort with a few simple mods.
7. Removing/replacing the bodywork is much more awkward than the 916-998 series.
8. The fuel tank is too bloody small.
8. IMHO the Terblanche styling was initially unattractive, especially Biposta variants, which looked like he got bored or pissed. The air-feed slots in the nose-cone looked over-stylized, the 'parking' light on the screen looked like an unfortunate infection, the horizontal join-line on the side fairing panels made the bike look flat and long, the rear-cylinder header pipe looked like something an unpromising school-kid would make to go on a ride-on lawnmower (which was where the OE silencer appeared to have been sourced), the rear subframe looked weak, crude and heavy at the same time and the rear swing-arm looked spindly while the multi-spoke wheels looked cheap. Soooo ..... get a late model with the better nose-cone and box-arm, install a race subframe, fit a replacement screen with no parking-light and any one of many single seat units above an aftermarket end-can (or even better, a pair thereof) and you suddenly have a lithe, beautiful, wonderful L-twin greyhound in red. Find a bigger 749R fuel tank and you will also be able to ride past gas stations (you still won't be able to see them in the mirrors though).

 

As the owner of a 2005 999S, I enjoyed the video and above comments, Thanks for posting!
When the 999 was introduced, I was among the minority that actually thought the styling was beautiful and innovative. My local shop, Pro Italia, had them all in stock in that era, and when I saw a "Nero" S my eyes popped out. I was riding a 96 900 SS/SP, was tempted to make a trade, but was unable to do so at the time, so just kept my 900.
Fast forward to 2018, and my 999S showed up in my life. I went for it despite a lack of service records, one black key and relatively high mileage.
I'm not a track rider, however my location in the Sierras boasts some wonderful mountain roads that are mostly empty on the weekdays. There is one CHP assigned to a vast area and we came to a agreement years ago. At 62 y.o. my track days happened 40 years ago, so I ride at my own pace and speed.
That being said, after some basic maintenance, the 999S has been a excellent companion. I've ridden 350 mile days and discovered that is my limit. Yes, fuel tank is small, but I'm usually ready for a break after about 120 miles, which is pushing the range anyway.
Recent work has been a new/used kickstand after the mounting plate failed, HiCap battery cables and Shorai battery, fork seals, air filters. Just normal stuff for a 20 year old bike.
To me it is a beautiful bike-and hey, you are not looking at the front stacked headlights when you are riding anyway if that's the gripe.

 

Ive said it before, and I'll say it again. I hated the look of these bikes when they came out. They've defintely aged well, and theres a few on this board and some of the Ducati FB groups that really make the lust factor go through the roof.

 

the number of utter wankers who walked into the showroom when these things were new and loudly parroted the opinions of a few journos because they were different and we don't like different was amazing.

we had quite a few people go from 916 et al to 749/999 and most of them loved the comfort and bikes in general. more annoying in places to work on - the prick responsible for that electronics box needs to die more than once. needs the usual fixes.

 

the number of utter wankers who walked into the showroom when these things were new and loudly parroted the opinions of a few journos because they were different and we don't like different was amazing.

..and i thank the visual illiterates. walked into the dealer, ordered the first yellow mono 999 to hit the Left Coast in '03 and wrote a substantially reduced check for its not looking like a 916 FFS. With full arte deco locomotive gill slits and head chakra light, the original design was the essence Terblanche penned. the later mods were solely a nod to the marketing department's panic. always a bad idea from a strictly design standpoint.

 

Wish it was still mine. I do prefer the handling of the 748. Great video, sir.

 

Thanks for another of your videos, Donnie. As a long-term 998 owner who has spent plenty of time on the 999, I have my own thoughts. For many years I hated the styling and dismissed them as the unfortunate result of letting an egotistical designer ruin what was the 'perfect' motorcycle. However, experience and a more open mind has now resulted in a change of mind and my planning to eventually acquire a 999 as my track bike. Here are some opinions -

...

Agree on all points! Except the bike starts like a dream for me (especially compared to my 916) and I actually prefer the looks of the 2003 standard version.

View attachment 1095334

Stunning

Ive said it before, and I'll say it again. I hated the look of these bikes when they came out. They've defintely aged well, and theres a few on this board and some of the Ducati FB groups that really make the lust factor go through the roof.

Some of the details on the bike are incredible, and then you have the WSBK replicas

the number of utter wankers who walked into the showroom when these things were new and loudly parroted the opinions of a few journos because they were different and we don't like different was amazing.

we had quite a few people go from 916 et al to 749/999 and most of them loved the comfort and bikes in general. more annoying in places to work on - the prick responsible for that electronics box needs to die more than once. needs the usual fixes.

I find it remarkable that the engine warning light on mine goes and an off for no reason Didn't look funny the first time it happened.

Wish it was still mine. I do prefer the handling of the 748. Great video, sir.

Thank you and very nice bike

 

they have an issue with the ecu logic. if it is running, in gear, stationary and the clutch not pulled in far enough to activate the clutch switch it will bring the light on as it's a non logic situation.

 

Wow, now I at least know why this happens. I will file that under 'Italian character'

 

Yeah, they're a funny ol' thing. That top triple, for 2003, was the sort of CNC loveliness you just didn't see on production bikes, but there it was, and it's still one of my favourite parts of the bike.
The grey frame, grey wheels and weird cast swingarm did the bike no favours at all, if only the red frame, black boxed swingarm, black wheels had been the initial spec the bike would have been received quite differently.
I don't mind the original "fussy" front styling: once you understand the art deco train vibe that Terblanche was working to you can't un-see it although that '03/04 screen is just stupid low:

And it's built like a racing sardine, just sooooo skinny, like a Testastretta powered bicycle. Which is the reason Troy, Hodgy, Toseland and co, with a mere 195hp could compete with 220 - 230hp IL4 Ten Kate Fireblades and Alstare GSXR1000's. You can get away with substantially less hp if you're punching a much smaller hole through the air:

The black swingarm is still one of the sexiest 'arms to come out on a production motorcycle and looked positively mil-spec tough back in the day.
Someone mentioned the small tank? The 749R tank is much more practical.....balanced by also being much more ugly. I have a carbon version and I'm still not a fan of the bulbous proportions. Swings and roundabouts I guess.
Speaking of ugly that molded tank pad is also begging for some side-eye; I fuggin' hate the way it destroys the lines of the tank/bike. Worse, removing it leaves an indent in the tank.....I dunno wtf they were thinking there.
And yes, that colostomy bag of a muffler hanging under the tail has got to go, but then OEM exhausts are pretty much illegal on a Duc so that's neither here nor there. Leo Vince, Akra, Zard type can's with their RS-style aesthetic are much cleaner/tidier/sexier than the "crushed garbage can" Termi but each to their own.
Basically it's a pretty fair OEM bike on the outside with a great bike inside trying to get out.

 

Basically it's a pretty fair OEM bike on the outside with a great bike inside trying to get out.

Haha - fortunately, I can never leave my bikes stock. I built my 999 R street bike and 749 R track bike to emulate the RS bikes. IMO, the great bikes found their way out. These bikes are awesome.

 

Thanks, this is interesting to me, as lately I have been lusting after a monoposto 999. I will be keeping my ST-2, I think, for when my friend/pillion wants to go for a ride, but I'm in the mood for a single seater as well.

 

I didn't include any negative issues in my reply, and most of the replies have been more balanced. I did want to point out, and you may be aware of this, however once the outside temp gets over about 95 degrees, you will fry your right leg and butt. So, yes, keep that ST2! I have other bikes to ride when it gets hot.

 

View attachment 1095386
View attachment 1095390

From that angle even the biposto looks awesome
I know you're comparing bikes in the second pic, but all I see is the mighty HAGA

Thanks, this is interesting to me, as lately I have been lusting after a monoposto 999. I will be keeping my ST-2, I think, for when my friend/pillion wants to go for a ride, but I'm in the mood for a single seater as well.

I'd say go for it. They might get more expensive in the future.

I didn't include any negative issues in my reply, and most of the replies have been more balanced. I did want to point out, and you may be aware of this, however once the outside temp gets over about 95 degrees, you will fry your right leg and butt. So, yes, keep that ST2! I have other bikes to ride when it gets hot.

Still, in comparison with the 916, the 999 is inredibly comfy.

 

The tail of a 999 is one of the sexiest, ever. I'd like one for a track bike.

 

The tail of a 999 is one of the sexiest, ever. I'd like one for a track bike.

Exactly! I don't understand why some people complain about this exhaust. It's one of the most brutal things I've ever seen and the cover looks awesome.

..and i thank the visual illiterates. walked into the dealer, ordered the first yellow mono 999 to hit the Left Coast in '03 and wrote a substantially reduced check for its not looking like a 916 FFS. With full arte deco locomotive gill slits and head chakra light, the original design was the essence Terblanche penned. the later mods were solely a nod to the marketing department's panic. always a bad idea from a strictly design standpoint.

I also prefer the original, that's why I got the 2003 version.

 

Exactly! I don't understand why some people complain about this exhaust. It's one of the most brutal things I've ever seen and the cover looks awesome.

I also prefer the original, that's why I got the 2003 version.

Did someone say "Brutal?"

My '3 Mono with In Your Face Silmotor Ti 65/70mm full system, straight through, no baffles, with just a spritz of fiberglass. There were no 'tail tidies' or muffler bracketry available for this race system, so I just clipped the plate to the muffler strap and slid a stealth combined brake/signal light just under the tail fairing nice and tidy.

Next and final mods I made [not in pix] were triple Ohlins tuned to perfection for me by The Stig. Just lovely machinery on-track, Coastal Range canyons, the commute, or the two-hour blitz to Laguna each year.

The Bay Bridge joust was fun. At the dozen-lane Toll plaza, used to launch her out of the carpool lane toll gates, front wheel airiborne just a bit under throttle for the CHP motor cops' enjoyment as they watched for carpool lane scofflaws, then head up onto the epic Bay Bridge three-stage spatial passage - truss span w/ dog-leg, tunnel, suspension span - splitting through heavy cager traffic at the limit or so each weekday morning. Then down onto the gridlocked surface roads of SF, split the skinny girl easily thru stalled mercs, porsches and beemers, destroy any Harleys off the line at the lights along the way, then grab a dedicated bike parking space at 2nd & Market, grab a fresh roasted Peets' and start the workday.

The Biking Life, in The City.

 

I didn’t really “get” the 999 design until I saw one with the nose cone off in BCM Ducati’s service bay (shout out to @ducvet, I think it was on your lift!). Once I saw that casting everything snapped into place: it’s an Art Deco train. Nose to tail, every element. I’ve loved it ever since.

Rode a 999S once. Scared the pants off of me. Went back to my ST4S with a sense of relief.

great, great machine. Someday I’d like to put a yellow 749 in my garage.

 

Aesthetics is a personal thing and the 999 is a good illustration of how one's own tastes can change, develop (mature?) over time. Personally, nowadays I really like it's totally unique, ultra-lithe appearance (late model, a few tweaks), FourRing's bike above is gorgeous. But back when it came out I could not help think it looked like the unloved, bastard offspring of Ridley Scott's alien and an old-school line painting machine.

 

Alien is one of the best designs in movie history.