999 is a different looking bike when you race rep it..and I think many buy on looks first, rest second

where it all went wrong was when Massimo Tamburini went to MV and built undoubtedly the prettiest motorcyle ever mass produced, the MV Agusta F4...shame about the under powered engine and the dodgy fuelling, although I'm sure Ducati wasn't too upset!

Still, my 999r is undoubtedly the best of the 10 Ducati's I've owned, and I've even grown to love the front end - you just have to try to forget that in another world, it might have had the MV's looks combined with the mechanical sophistication (for a Ducati) and comfort of the 749/999. Just imagine, Ducati would have had to build new factories to accommodate the demand!!