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

In 2003, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer released the Ducati 999 alongside two more powerful machines, Ducati 999S, and Ducati 999R. The 999 model was designed by Pierre Terblanche and was also known as Nine-nine-nine or Triple Nine.

From the beginning, the Ducati 999 had great success in the Superbike World Championship, winning in 2003 with Neil Hodgson behind bars, in 2004 ridden by James Toseland, and in 2006 by Troy Bayliss.

In 2003, alongside the standard model, the maker released the Ducati 999S, a sports bike with superior maneuverability and safety due to its Ohlins suspension system, Brembo braking power, and remapped engine with more power and torque.

In the visual department, the 999S model was identical to the base model, packing the same full fairing with two small, round headlights, a small windscreen, a single seat, an exhaust system mounted under the seat, and ten-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.

Compared to the base model, the 999S was handled by a fully adjustable upside-down TiN-coated Ohlins fork on the front and a fully adjustable Ohlins shock absorber with progressive linkage on the rear.

The braking power was achieved by Brembo components, such as two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 245 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear wheel.

As for power, the 2003 Ducati 999S had its muscles from a 999cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine, boasting 136 hp with a peak at 9,750 rpm and 106 Nm (78 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.