DUCATI 999 (2003 - 2006) Review

Version: S model

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £250

Getting rare second hand now, an absolutely joy to ride particularly on country lanes and its lazy nature is far more involving than my other sports bike bike a BMW S1000RR. It takes a good rider to get the best out of it compared to modern in line 4 sports bikes.

Buying experience: Always source private. Service history a must.

Version: S

Year: 2005

Hold value really well. Rock solid reliability. Runs better on non-ethanol gas.

Buying experience: I paid 8000$US in 2012.

Version: S

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £1,000

Superb handling, smooth torque curve, excellent brakes. Confidence inspiring. Bike tests the rider's limits rather than the other way around.

Buying experience: Bought second hand for 5450 euros with 8000km in 2012.

My early 999 Bip (Oct '02) arrived August bank holiday, with 18k on the clocks and a full history. That's less than 2k per year. In the 6 weeks since then it has covered 4k, and will carry on at about 2k per month for the foreseable future. So, what's it like riding a Duke for nearly 4 hours a day? Ride is very good, with compliant suspension (probably due to age though!) and smooth and stable steering. Can't fault it really. Equipment is excellent for a bike of this vintage, the only missing feature is a fuel gauge, yet you get a mpg monitor and a lap timer! Quality? Well, the overall feeling is one of excellent build quality and refinement, but there have been some niggles. These were traced to a corroded earth for the ecu, but considering this bike spent 10 years in Bangor by the sea, I'm amazed it not worse off. Since two trips to duke dealer to sort this, it has been fine, so I think it was more a case of fixing old issues, rather than new ones arising. It has now done 2 years worth of typical duke mileage in a few weeks, so you can't consider it that bad! Value? £3,700 for a dealer bike with one owner? Brilliant! Engine? Excellent, but not faultless. There is low down torque in abundance, and it maintains it while it revs to 10k. But there is alot of vibe below 4k, which is where I spend alot of time on my commute, where wing mirrors bounce alarmingly! But that said, it average 45mpg with a 90ish crusing speed cross country, so I can't really complain! Oh, and it really REALLY needs a new pipe, this one is so quiet, I get embarassed by mopeds! So, overall? Comfort isn't brilliant at low speeds - i'm short, with short arms, so I'm nearly laid flat to reach the bars (a long way off!), and the seat is quite high, but no worse than most. Once moving at speed the comfort is excellent - it makes a surprisingly good grand tourer it seems - if you ignore the 140 mile tank range! (still, the same as a vfr1200!) In conclusion, buy a duke once, while you're flexible enough to manage it (I'm 25, and on a classic policy with Footman James I have two sorned '96 kwaks and this fully comp for a total cost of... £200! the duke cost just £15 to add on!) Any questions about long term heavy use of a duke, just pm me! Gavin

Hi I have been a biker for 48 years now and I have tested more bikes than this amature MCN road tester. I have had Japanese motorcycles most of my life and they are great but the 2006 Ducati 999S is a different ball game way way better, for your tester to rate it so low confirms to me that he is a Ducati hater or useless at his job, My 999S is fantastic at road holding and the L motor has great useable power, as to his comments on cramped rideing posistion I have five way ajustments on my foot controls as standard and also about 4 inchs seat adjustment ether way did he not see this? I suggest that he ether finds a different job or just let him test small bikes and scooters. Raymond

Had an 04 R1 before this, (review on here) which I really enjoyed, however this is a different animal altogether. Handling is in a different league, the R1 was excellent but this just somehow feels better, I'm faster everywhere on this and it is deceptively quick (be careful) thankfully the brakes are also top drawer. Its looks are often debated but it's been my dream since I started riding and it really does look stunning in the flesh! put together beautifully and is easy to work on.... Oh and it sounds fcking ace with aftermarket pipes :-) Downsides being.... it doesn't like the cold, she gets very irritable in traffic as she heats up rather quickly (as do your inner thighs) and slow riding around town is a little wristy and is lumpy ands a jerky below 3k... (but maybe that's just me or mine!). Had it w months and very pleased.. can't stop admiring it in the garage and have even been doing my 160 mile commute on it a few times in low single fgured temps and never felt a buzz like it :-) I know it's an older (2004) Ducati and things will go wrong (and already have) but it is just a brilliant bike and more than makes up its non starts and leaking forks!

I just traded my hayabusa for a 999 bip, I do a lot of 2 up riding with my wife, we both find the bike more comfortable than the busa, the habdling is fantastic, as is the engine the sound etc etc, could go on forever,needless to say I love the duke,it attracts alot of attention and is amazing to ride, a true classic in its own rite

I had an "s" model when they came out, part-exing my ST4s. To ride, these are simply superb (drop the gearing by one tooth at the front though) with good handling, and fast for a twin. Although I didn't suffer any break-downs, the finish was terrible! Thin paint, rotten fasteners, seizing brakes... all rubbish on a £13,500 bike. Would I have another one? No, not at that price.

Bought new in 2004, worried about reliability and proved right. Just out of warranty & electrics give up the ghost. But what a bike and can forgive the grief, superb handling and brakes. Just love the way it fires out of corners. Only way is up so I've bought a new 999R. Strengths: Looks, handling, brakes and engine. Weaknesses: Electrics and cost of servicing.

Bought new, in Jan 05 it was sent in for its first service, where it was found that the oil pump had failed, which Ducati knew about, apparently there was a bad batch. After waiting an age for new parts (new barrels rings pistons etc.), it was fixed under warranty. Since then I have put on 3000 miles and it has been very reliable, an awsome ride even at standard. Everyone drools over it from women and kids to OAP's and hardened bikers! Strengths: Superb fuelling and handling, beautiful yes! BEAUTIFUL looks. Weaknesses: Just done a five hour ride my wrists are sore.