DUCATI 999R (2003-2004) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati 999 was a sports bike manufactured from 2003 to 2006 that replaced the Ducati 916, 996, and 998 superbikes designed by Massimo Tamburini. The 999 model was designed by Pierre Terblanche and was known on the streets as the Triple Nine or Nine-nine-nine.

The 999 featured great success in the Superbike World Championship, coming in first place in 2003 with Neil Hodgson behind bars, in 2004 with James Toseland on the seat, and in 2006 ridden by Troy Bayliss. It also raced in the series through 2007, despite its production ended in 2006.

Alongside the standard model, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 999R, a sports bike with a remapped engine that squeezed the highest possible power output and a bodywork that featured several carbon fiber elements for a lower weight.

In other departments, the 999R was similar to its siblings, packing the same full fairing with a small windscreen, two small, round, vertically stacked headlights, a single seat, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, and 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.

The 2003 Ducati 999R had its heartbeat set by a tuned 999cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine that delivered 139 hp with maximum strength at 10,000 rpm and 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

To put the power down to the ground, the 2003 Ducati 999R was fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, a hydraulically-operated dry multi-plate clutch, and a final chain drive, pushing the machine to 280 kph (174 mph).