Ducatisti out to shine - Ducati 999 News

IT’S Ducati Day at one of the UK’s best racetracks, Cadwell Park.

The UK’s ‘Ducatisti’ (AKA the Ducati owners) have come here to show off, thrash and hopefully not crash their pride and joys.

Ducati UK has asked me to come along to try the 999 sport bike.

After the S4Rs’ outrageous performance, I couldn’t wait to get onto the 999 which somehow manages to surpass my expectations.

I’m riding the base-model 999. This one gets the Showa suspension instead of the higher quality Öhlins of the 999S.

The brakes, too, are conventionally mounted Brembos instead of the S model’s snazzy radial brakes. But the engine’s the same 138bhp torque monster – and it’s magnificent.

The motor revs so hard it propels you at warp speed to its 10,500rpm ceiling. The gearbox is smooth; nudge up a ratio when the max rev warning lights flash and the bike takes off like a rocket-propelled missile.

In typical Ducati fashion, cornering speeds are extreme, and superb stability is somehow matched with supreme agility.

Handling is lightning quick. The 999 turns on a thought and holds a perfect line, involving the rider all the while with its feedback and responsiveness. I can barely believe this is the lower spec model…

Although the brakes are merely excellent, as opposed to outstanding on the 999S (I know this because the 999S donated its brakes to the S4Rs).

There are enough stunning old-style 916, 996 and 998 machines at this event to remind the world why Ducati’s sports bikes became icons.

But surprisingly, the 999 doesn’t fair too badly in the looks department by comparison.

Sure, it may have lost its Tamburini flare (the great Massimo Tamburini created the 916). But the 999’s curvy figure, unusual lines and stacked headlights are quite startling, and set it apart from the Japanese crowd.

The bike I’m riding has a special edition Ducati Airwaves paint job, which brings the price up from a high £11,250 to an eye-watering £12,250… But you get hospitality with Airwaves Ducati team at a British Superbike round, plus a certificate of authenticity and some merchandise thrown in. So hurry up before the racing season ends.

I’ve mentioned the 999S; this higher spec version costs £14,000. But if you want to go overboard with the best Ducati has to offer, then save up – or rather, rob a bank – for the all-singing, all-dancing 999R superbike.

It’ll set you back a massive £20,000. But for your money you get a shorter-stroke engine that puts out an awesome 150bhp.

You also get carbon fibre bodywork and lightweight forged Marchesini wheels that cut weight by five kilos over the S. Some machine.

Fact File

Ducati 999

Price: £11,250 on the road (£12,250 for the Airwaves Replica bike).

Engine/transmission: 992cc, V-twin four-stroke with four valves.

Power: 138bhp @ 9,750

Torque: 80.2lb.ft@8,000rpm

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox, chain final drive

Performance: 170mph

Availability: On sale now