In 2005, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 999, a sports machine that debuted in 2003 alongside the Ducati 999S and Ducati 99R. The 999 model was designed by Pierre Terblanche and was known as the Triple Nine or Nine-nine-nine on the streets.
The bike had great success in the World Superbike Championship, winning in 2003 with Neil Hodgson behind bars, in 2004 ridden by James Toseland, and in 2006 with Troy Bayliss at controls.
The 2005 Ducati 999 packed standard features, such as a full fairing with a small windscreen, dual vertically stacked small round headlights, a two-piece double seat, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, and 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.
The bike's suspension remained unchanged, comprising a 43 mm upside-down Showa fork on the front and a fully adjustable Showa shock absorber with progressive linkage on the rear.
As for the braking power, the bike packed two 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 245 mm disc with a two-piston caliper on the rear wheel, offering optimal stopping power.
The 2005 Ducati 999 took its muscles from a 999cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine that delivered an output power of 140 hp with a peak at 9,750 rpm and 102 Nm (75 lb-ft) torque with maximum strength at 8,000 rpm.