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Ducati 999 reviews

4.7 (14 reviews)
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Reliability
4.6
Overall quality
4.7
Performance
4.7
Comfort
4.4

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AA

Seattle, Washington

Reviewed on September 13, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
I have had my share of riding other Ducaties, Aprilia and some Jap biles. But this Ducati 999 is substantially different from others I have own or rode before. Impressive handling, super smooth power delivery, oh the list goes on. The bike is relatively comfortable to ride with an exceptionally good wind prot... read more
I have had my share of riding other Ducaties, Aprilia and some Jap biles. But this Ducati 999 is substantially different from others I have own or rode before. Impressive handling, super smooth power delivery, oh the list goes on. The bike is relatively comfortable to ride with an exceptionally good wind protection in a nuetral seating position. I have taken this bike on the track - it has made me look/perform and feel several times better than I really am. What also is imprtant about this bike is that how forgiving it is for its level of performance. Warning: I don't recommend test driving this bike, unless you are ready to buy - It can be very addictive even with short use.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Steve Rossi

Rochester, New York

Reviewed on May 31, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2005 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
Just got used 2005 999 and love it, great acceleration, smooth, great ride. First time I accelerated on a country road I burst out laughing with joy. Bike is amazingly easy to ride and handle, I had never ridden a bike like this, and had very little trouble riding. The bike is at its best on twisting country... read more
Just got used 2005 999 and love it, great acceleration, smooth, great ride. First time I accelerated on a country road I burst out laughing with joy. Bike is amazingly easy to ride and handle, I had never ridden a bike like this, and had very little trouble riding. The bike is at its best on twisting country roads, and very stable on highway. In a lot of city traffic, stiff clutch and high gearing make it not the bike of choice for city.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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sfarson

Bailey, Colorado

Reviewed on April 11, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
I've owned a 999 for over a year now. Early models had a problematic dash. Mine was replaced. I've ridden other makes with similar early model "opportunities" so I'm forgiving. Maybe the real reason I'm forgiving is the bike simply over delivers as a sporting ride. Cornering, handling, suspension, t... read more
I've owned a 999 for over a year now. Early models had a problematic dash. Mine was replaced. I've ridden other makes with similar early model "opportunities" so I'm forgiving. Maybe the real reason I'm forgiving is the bike simply over delivers as a sporting ride. Cornering, handling, suspension, thrust, and performance -- it all comes together on this bike. So do the looks. Not a me-too. The ergonomics are friendlier than the 998 Superbike model it replaced, but the attitude is still aggressive... this also makes sense when the Ducati comes into its realm -- at speed on a sporting ride or at the track.
Reliability
4.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
4.0
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Voted most helpful review

Joseph Bengiovani

Toronto, Ontario

Reviewed on September 29, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

1.0
I bought a 999 ducati in San Francisco, I shipped it from there to Toronto. I waited for a week to get this bike, I was so excited. When it arrived I was astonished. I wanted to take it for ride but it would not start the battery was dead. (But before I carry on let me tell you about my history. I worked on ... read more
I bought a 999 ducati in San Francisco, I shipped it from there to Toronto. I waited for a week to get this bike, I was so excited. When it arrived I was astonished. I wanted to take it for ride but it would not start the battery was dead. (But before I carry on let me tell you about my history. I worked on ducati's back in Italy, I have a motorcycle technical license also auto, truck and coach I have been doing this trade since the age of 11 had built go carts to custom cars with 800 horsepower superchargered, updates in mechanical coarses. At this present momement taking cnc and electrical engineering coarses. Anyway I did a draw test on the battery. Does not have enough amp to crack over the stater. So I put another one from my r1 identical gs battery. It barely cracked over, after it reached 200 f it started to leak coolant. I did a pressure test, leaking coolant on some of the hoses all of the hoses needed to be tighted another half a turn and some even more. One hose was shreded, I replaced that. So know I started the bike and went for a ride. What a ride but after 30 minutes my speedo was not reading anymore my rpm gauge was off by 2000 rpm and my chech engine light comes on and off. I pulled over shut the bike off let it cool down. Tried to start it did not start, called a friend boosted the battery and drove it home. I left it in the garage and called ducati customer service three times emailed them three times no reponse. After looking at the bike a few times saw some rust in the welds and again coolant on the bottom of the fairing. Know I am bringing the bike to Velocity its a Ducati dealership to get serviced in 2 days will right report to see if the problem is solved. So far this bike is junk and it hurts me to say that but it is. Thank you for reading.
Reliability
1.0
Quality
1.0
Performance
1.0
Comfort
1.0
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Sonny

United States

Reviewed on September 12, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
Best bike I've ever ridden. Have ridden an R1, CBR, and other Ducatis. This bike is it!!! Test it for yourself at a participating Ducati dealer and you'll know what I'm talking about!! BTW, its now the World Champion.... read more
Best bike I've ever ridden. Have ridden an R1, CBR, and other Ducatis. This bike is it!!! Test it for yourself at a participating Ducati dealer and you'll know what I'm talking about!! BTW, its now the World Champion.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Michael Gluck

Los Angeles, California

Reviewed on May 27, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
I live in the best place in the world to own a motorcycle. We have canyons that take your breath away. As an ex-New Yorker, the weather alone could put you in Nirvana, but throw in a 2003 Yellow 999 and my life is truly bliss. I walked into the Ducati dealership and after a 10 minute test ride I wrote the che... read more
I live in the best place in the world to own a motorcycle. We have canyons that take your breath away. As an ex-New Yorker, the weather alone could put you in Nirvana, but throw in a 2003 Yellow 999 and my life is truly bliss. I walked into the Ducati dealership and after a 10 minute test ride I wrote the check. Compared to the earlier Ducati superbikes, the 999 is a couch. Ergonomically it is much easier on the wrists and lower back.In 3 weeks I have put on 2000 miles. It starts every time and has given me ABSOLUTELY no problems.The handling is confidence inspiring and after every corner, you realize you could have gone faster. The motor seems to never run out of power. I actually commute to work on it because I couldn't stand to not start my day with it. I have gotten stuck in typical LA bumper to bumper traffic and although it gets hot, it never misses a beat. I am able to cut through the canyons at high rates of speed with complete confidence. When I ride with my friends on other sportbikes, they have trouble staying with me. Not because of sheer power, but the level of refinement in the handling and power application. There is nothing like a 999!
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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Tony A. Brasher

Corrales, New Mexico

Reviewed on April 13, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
The new 999 is not for everyone, especially Ducatisti that have renowned the look of the 916. But, the 999 does do all that is promised. It is easier to drive than the previous SBK 916/996/998/748, it feels smaller under you, and it brings a new generation to the ducati family. Some will like the looks and ... read more
The new 999 is not for everyone, especially Ducatisti that have renowned the look of the 916. But, the 999 does do all that is promised. It is easier to drive than the previous SBK 916/996/998/748, it feels smaller under you, and it brings a new generation to the ducati family. Some will like the looks and some will not. It will take a while before I totally agree on the styling, but all in all it's the best bike ducati have made.
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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James Reynolds

Austin TX

Reviewed on April 3, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Ducati 999 view listing

5.0
Sunday night at Texas World Speedway. We get there as usual around 7pm to unload and relax. Monday the 31st of March was going to be a good day. Beautiful weather, nice track, and high expectations. I noticed the Ducati Austin guys pitted about 3 garages down and went to say hello... Next thing I know, I h... read more
Sunday night at Texas World Speedway. We get there as usual around 7pm to unload and relax. Monday the 31st of March was going to be a good day. Beautiful weather, nice track, and high expectations. I noticed the Ducati Austin guys pitted about 3 garages down and went to say hello... Next thing I know, I hear "yeah I'd love for you to take the 999 out tomorrow." I'm thinking about how lucky I am to have this opportunity, and the wait for the track to go live is even more agonizing. After a couple sessions, I see the bike sitting there w/no one on it and was given the to go for it! Rolling through the pit area, I noticed that the bikes ergos were a lot more friendly than the 99x. The bike had the Termi carbon exhaust, which is beautiful by the way, installed and just blipping it as I rolled to pit-out was so much fun I got the nod from the track marshal to head on out, and down the hot pit I went. I grabbed a big handful of throttle in first gear, rolled it on and was surprised at how quick I got to redline and how fast the 999 was moving... repeat that through 4th gear and we're into turn one...rather than write a turn by turn lap by lap recap, I'll go over what I liked and disliked about the bike: Dislikes: The only thing I really didn't like on the 999 was that there was a LOT of travel in the throttle. I had to turn it longer than I like to get to WOT, so I found myself not at 100% throttle in some places. This isn't really a big deal, and could be easily remedied with a 1/4 turn throttle kit. Also, I would have liked a bit taller windscreen, but again that's an easy fix. Likes I don't even know where to start this section, as I was very impressed with the 999! Handling - The 999, to me, is a lot easier to ride than the 99x models. Tight transitions are much easier than the 998 I rode before and the bike feels a lot more planted. Turning the bike in was pretty much effortless too, just think look and the bike seems to just go where you want it to go, and does a very good job of holding its line. Ergos - The ergos are very Ducati. Not something I'd want to ride for hours on the street I don't think, but awesome for the track. The bike feels very small and compact, and the weight seems to disappear. I wondered how it would be to move around on the seat because of it's shape, but it was thoughtless after I got on the bike. The seat to peg distance was comfortable for the 25 min session I got to ride. The pegs work good and I didn't have any issues with my feet slipping. The shifter and rear brake lever were intuitively placed as well. My hands/wrists/shoulders never got sore, never fell asleep, and wasn't really even in my thoughts as I took the 999 around the track, which is a definite plus! Suspension - I was happy that the suspension felt a bit stiff, as I am no featherweight The forks and shock seemed to work quite well together, and I didn't feel any chatter or wallowing. I think I'd probably need new springs to make it perfect, but that's a common thing I deal with Motor - The motor feels VERY strong, and the sound from the Termi exhaust sounded incredible. I purposely left my ear plugs out just to listen to the bike more! The bike revs pretty fast for a big twin and there was no lag, no flat spots, and no jerky feeling to the FI....very very well sorted out! Needless to say, the bike rips coming out of turns! Brakes - the brakes were very good, had a good strong bite, but were very linear and easy to control. Braking hard into turns was very controllable, and light trail braking was effortless. Display - I think the gauges were very easy to read, especially that nice big round tach...a quick glance down at 145mph to check RPM was easily done. The distance you have to look down to see the tach is a lot shorter than other bikes, allowing you to get your eyes back down track a bit faster. Overall, I was very impressed with the 999. I knew from other reviews that I wouldn't be disappointed, but I never give 100% credibility to journalists For sure, I didn't push it 100% as, well, I couldn't be "that guy" that crashed the 999, could I?
Reliability
5.0
Quality
5.0
Performance
5.0
Comfort
5.0
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