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Lot #21 - 2003 Ducati 999 - Unappreciated Superbike finally coming into its own

  • Auction House:
    Donington Auctions
  • Sale Name:
    Collectors' Motorcycles & Cars (New South Wales)
  • Sale Date:
    12 Dec 2021 ~ 12noon (AEDT)
  • Lot #:
    21
  • Lot Description:
    2003 Ducati 999 - Unappreciated Superbike finally coming into its own
    Ducati's 916 was arguably the most defining Superbike of the 1990s and its inevitable replacement was always going to be a difficult undertaking. In 1996 the American conglomerate TPG (Texas Pacific Group) bought Ducati from Cagiva and they initiated a program of updating the existing line-up. As the 916 evolved into the 996 and 998 there was an inevitability about its demise. World Superbike success was becoming more elusive and Ducati needed something new. One of the first TPG recruitments was to install South African Pierre Terblanche as design director. Terblanche came to Ducati via Volkswagen and Cagiva, where he had worked with the famed designer Massimo Tamburini on the 916 and in 1992 designed the beautiful Supermono. Terblanche's first efforts for Ducati under TPG were the new Supersport of 1998 followed by the Multistrada and 900 Mike Hailwood Evolution of 2001. Looking at these you can see the thread of Terblanche's design ethic, and this continued through to the 999. There was never an option for Terblanche other than using the new Testastretta engine and trellis style steel tube frame. And while Ducati management envisaged simply reskinning the 916 in a more modern package, Terblanche had other plans. Being six-foot tall he wanted a motorcycle that would fit all riders. This involved lowering and narrowing the seat and incorporating adjustable ergonomics. According to Terblanche, "if you're comfortable, you'll ride better." Terblanche also wanted to improve component accessibility, incorporating all the electrical components in an automotive style centralised box that resided outside the frame. This included the battery, computer, relays, and controller for CAN (Controller Area Network) system. This local network system was the first for a motorcycle. Another packaging tour-de-force was the 999's combined headlight shell/fairing support. Cast in aluminium this carried the twin projector beam headlights, a fuse panel and a wafer-thin instrument cluster. The ram air ducts carried Helmholtz resonators to improve intake efficiency. The result was a reduction in parts by 23 per cent, or 230 fewer components. The most controversial element was undoubtedly the styling. For this Terblanche was unapologetic, comparing Ducati's Superbike with the Porsche 911. "Every time there's a new Porsche 911, people complain. But each new version outsells the one it replaces," he said. Aerodynamics were also important in the design, resulting in an even more compact design than the 916. The 998cc Testastretta engine was slightly updated for the 999. For cost reasons the all-new crankcase design was no longer a deep-sump type, and the power was 125 horsepower at 9,500rpm. The result was a motorcycle that addressed all the 916's inconsistencies in rider comfort and dynamic ergonomics. As Terblanche said, "The 999 is not built in an old-fashioned way. We don't need the seat to be up so high just to make room for the suspension and exhaust. "No longer with the 916's tail-up, nose-down attitude, the 999 offered a more rational, level stance, with less weight on the wrists and forearms making the 999 more comfortable to ride harder and longer. The example on offer here is in exceptional condition and performs faultlessly. The mileage from new is only 12,033km. This motorcycle is being sold unregistered.
  • Estimate:
    A$12,000 - 16,000
  • Realised Price:
    *****

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  • Category:
    Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.



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