Ducati 999 - advice
- Thread starter Zed Five
- Start date
I've only owned one Ducati, the main thing is service history. They are actually pretty reliable BUT, they need maintenance.Belts are the main thing and LOTS of oil changes.Don't buy one with minimum history, get one thats had a meticulous owner.Watch out for track day weapons too, immaculate bodywork, not so immaculate rest of bike, and of course crash damage.Be a bit wary of brand new tyres, you can't see how it has been ridden.Part worn tyres tell you how hard it has been used.I think they're good value these days, so find a good one and enjoy. 
I have an S4 Monster Senna (with loads of carbon bits)...so Ducatis in my view are great and a beauty....but the 999s and 749s seem to the Marmite of Ducs....and seem to hard to resell,....so just keep it in mind....beyond that find yourself a good service center with someone that knows Ducs and enjoy....
A good mate of mine sold one of these last week. IMO a great bike, but ugly as sin, however having ridden one (on track) and having grown up on sports bikes, it was superb to ride, without a doubt the best bike I've ridden to date.
It is however, uncomfortable and far far from ideal should you want to do any distance on it. Oh, and the mirrors are pointless.
I reckon Big's post above says it all about getting a good example.
As a track day tool and for weekend blasts through the lanes
It is however, uncomfortable and far far from ideal should you want to do any distance on it. Oh, and the mirrors are pointless.
I reckon Big's post above says it all about getting a good example.
As a track day tool and for weekend blasts through the lanes
Its a blinding bit of kit ....... but actually pretty useless except to look at ....
By that I mean ...... on the road, its too radical to be comfortable unless its just a nip to the shops .......
On the track its awesome ....... except the price tag ...... to ride it properly you have to accept that at some point you will throw it up the road, and you can have 2 of just about anything else for the same price.
If you like the Ducati grunt ...... have a shot at a Big Bang R1 ......
thats what i race, and they are awesome, feels like a Duke at low revs then turns into a screamer at the top .......
By that I mean ...... on the road, its too radical to be comfortable unless its just a nip to the shops .......
On the track its awesome ....... except the price tag ...... to ride it properly you have to accept that at some point you will throw it up the road, and you can have 2 of just about anything else for the same price.
If you like the Ducati grunt ...... have a shot at a Big Bang R1 ......
thats what i race, and they are awesome, feels like a Duke at low revs then turns into a screamer at the top .......
doofus4000
Active member
fireblade all the way - the power of dreams
Had a 916 for nearly 2 1/2 years and 12.5k including one trip to the S of F for the last Bol at Paul Ricard via Assen for the WSBK meet year, I know it's not a 999 but I'm 6'2" and found it no more uncomfortable than any other bike I've covered similar distances on.
No reliability issues in that time except 1 headlight lamp blew and the voltage regulator was changed as part of a recall, the grunt and the handling when I first got it where awe inspiring but somewhere down the road we fell out (I have no idea why and have never been able to put my finger on it beyond the OEM Pirelli tyres were no longer available and it never felt as good on the alternatives available at the time) and as a result I couldn't wait to sell it.
There is only one way to find out but if it goes wrong it might be hard to sell on for exactly the same reasons you are hesitant.
No reliability issues in that time except 1 headlight lamp blew and the voltage regulator was changed as part of a recall, the grunt and the handling when I first got it where awe inspiring but somewhere down the road we fell out (I have no idea why and have never been able to put my finger on it beyond the OEM Pirelli tyres were no longer available and it never felt as good on the alternatives available at the time) and as a result I couldn't wait to sell it.
There is only one way to find out but if it goes wrong it might be hard to sell on for exactly the same reasons you are hesitant.
I was lucky enough way back. To have owned a 1994 888 superbike SPO Ltd. #9 of 100. The biggest detriment to duc longevity is the initial valve adjustment. Mine was done at 1600 miles. From then on they stayed within spec. That thing was uncomfortable. It was the last year of the long wheel base sports bike from Ducati. The reach to the bars was epic. What a beauty though.
It's a toy. If you like it. Buy it.
It's a toy. If you like it. Buy it.
I have a 748S, normally about 60=90 mins and you want to stop and stretch especially if you are in traffic. Not had any issues with it and have a local guy to service it every year. The 748/916 9s the classic design, I would say if you can push to the extra expense go for the 848/1098 ......Happy hunting
A
Anonymous
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I've often fancied buying a big engine bike, but what puts me off is that I like living to much 
