Now I don’t know too much about motorcycles. What I do know is their fast, dangerous, and oh so sexy. They are works of mechanical art. Leave it to an Italian company to bring us the sexiest of the bread, Ducati.
Ducati has been building bad ass sport bikes and pro super bikes since 1926.
They are the “Ferrari” of the two wheel world.
While at lunch in Fort Lauderdale I came across this yellow Ducati 999 looking like a bumble bee ready to sting. This fine specimen is the 999 version. Four models were produced from 2003 to 2006. The 999R Xerox, 999R, 999S, and the 999. The 999 model and its variants were very successful in the world super bike championship. The bikes wins on the track helped to add to the sales numbers.
You know what else helped sales? The stats:
Engine: L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled. Displacement: 998 cc.
Power: 103 kW – 140 hp @ 9750 rpm.
Torque: 11.1 kg·m (108.9 N·m; 80.3 ft·lbf) @ 8000 rpm.
Weight: 186 kg / 410 lbs.
The more powerful 999S and 999R (provided with 102 dB Termignoni race-spec exhaust) 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 999 was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy over its divisive styling; it was heavily criticized by some, whilst being hailed by many. It is known as an extremely 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 figures available even at low RPM figures, and, of course, extremely high torque levels. Additionally, with its high spec suspension componentry, rigid yet communicative trellis chassis and weight distribution suited to communicative, sharp and accurate steering, it is one of the finest handling motorcycles for its time.
At $29,999 a new owner had to pay to play. But for the price of admission you can ride this professional racing sport bike around in South Florida. The fact that you don’t even need some kind of racing license is crazy.
Crazy fun that is.
Check out this video of a race between a Lamborghini Gallardo vs a Ducati 999.
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