Ducati 999

The Ducati 999 is a sport motorcycle that Ducati built from 2003 to 2006 as the successor to the 916, 996 and 998 superbikes designed by Massimo Tamburini. Pierre Terblanche designed it, and its styling was the subject of considerable controversy at the time. It kept the traditional Ducati L-twin engine with desmodromic valve actuation and a trellis frame, and was known for linear power delivery and handling regarded as among the best of its period. The faster 999S and 999R followed the base model, both able to reach 100 km/h in under three seconds, with a top speed of over 270 km/h. In racing it won the Superbike World Championship in 2003 with Neil Hodgson, in 2004 with James Toseland and in 2006 with Troy Bayliss, and it stayed in the series through 2007, until the 1098 became eligible.