Weekend on a 999
 

Had the use of a new 06 999bip for the weekend, Nice bike but will not be making a purchase. My opinion of it is this. More comfortable than the 996, smaller tank range, lot quicker and engine smoother,but not got that rawness that the old bike has (to smooth almost jap bike like) . Most important bit it did not tickle those bits that the 996 does when riding it and not worth the £££ to swap.

Lets hope for Ducati`s sake the new 999 replacment does...

I know exactly what you mean though...

first it's nice to here a 996 owner admit that a 999 is worth more than their 996,
and there wount like the new bike when it come because it will have all the improvements the 999 has plus more, there go forward not backwards.
it's all right to fall in love with your bike and not want another bike, it's a personal thing and thats all right, but dont be suprised when others do the same about their bikes.
and as for the engine being like a jap for smoothness is not it's smoother at speed, my ZX12R used to send my fingers to sleep after an hour the 999 doesnt,:flame: :burn: :burn:

I won't try to tell Mello-Yellow he's wrong in his opinion. but I don't understand his (and others') comments about a lack of "rawness" or the 999 being too smooth. This isn't a challenge, I'm genuinely puzzled.

The 999 isn't a neutral-steering bike in the same way many Jap machines are (thinking GSXR's here), you have to work it a bit to steer it quickly (plus get it set up right), but the 999 does provide you with a machine you can express yourself on. I don't like a bike that dictates to me how it wants to be ridden - I like to do the dictating! If I want rawness, I'll create it myself by riding it hard (preferably on the track). I don't want to have to fight a bike's character all the time - the 999 enables me to thrash it when appropriate, but also to tour on it and cover big miles, if not in perfect comfort, then with a minimal amount of spine-crushing pain. Obviously, this is my opinion and others have their own take on it.

Anyway, enough rambling ... my question - what is the rawness that the 996 had that the 999 lacks? Thanks.

Rawness, put simply 6 years more development. engine and fueling.

The engine did seem smoother as in more refined than what i'm use to. Then again my 996 is an improvement on my 916.

Will admit that i was impressed with the bike, but as said earlier not enough to trde up.

Anyway, enough rambling ... my question - what is the rawness that the 996 had that the 999 lacks? Thanks.[/quote]

Probably the same sort of thing a MK1 Ford Escort has over a Ford Focus:lol:

what, some style you mean !

I'm surprised it did'nt feel raw.
Think loud termis help, the bike is always barking and snarling just daring you to nail it and hear the pipes scream
Lovely stuff

Ooh yes!:D :D :D

I've just jumped from a 916 to a 999, I decided to go for the 999 over the 749 for this reason. If your willing to give the 999 a good kicking it will pay you back... I needed a bike that gives me some fun at the weekend but will also allow me to ride into London every day. The 999 does it for me!!!