With everything that wasn’t cast or welded made of carbon fiber, Ducati’s 999R was almost ready to race right out of the crate. Here’s a Sacramento example that has 6,000 miles and a fresh major service.
2005 Ducati 999R for sale on eBay
Introduced in 2003, the 999 was a new design which has taken its share of lumps, but is more appreciated as time goes on. The EVO testastretta aboard the 2005 R has incremental improvements with more titanium parts and revised Marelli fuel injection, and calls out 150 horses at 9,750 rpm. The trellis chassis is visibly more robust at the transmission mounts, which hold the massive double-sided swingarm. Headstock angle and Öhlins dampers are adjustable though a race tech and trackside data system might be part of the equation. Even with the high compression twin, a slipper clutch isn’t factory installed, since they were “free” ( unrestricted ) under WSBK rules, it was assumed any race team would just install their favorite. A slightly taller windscreen above the full carbon fairing and Termignoni canister muffler occupy the ends, above forged Marchesini alloys shod in Pirelli Diablo Rosso gumballs.
The close-ups show just how many carbon parts Ducati made for the -R, and how built everything is. Not seeing much to quibble over. Just wish the photos were as high resolution as the comments from the eBay auction:
Only 200 of these bike were built in 2005. The R bike is almost identical to the factory prepped race bikes, save for the lights. The motor is identical to the factory race bikes. I’m assuming if you’re looking at this ad, you know what an R bike is and how rare they are. This is very much a collector / track enthusiast bike. I’ve never tracked this bike, and to my knowledge it has not been tracked.
Designed by Pierre Terblanche, this bike was absolutely the cutting edge Super Bike from 2003-2006. The 2005-2006 bikes had many engine improvements, making them the ultimate of the 999R run.
The R bikes have a larger bore and shorter stoke than the 999 or 999S. Therefore they rev much quicker than the standard 999 engine. Rated at 150 hp in stock trim, but add the Termi exhaust and race ECM that come in the crate with the bike, and it’s rated at 165 hp. All in a bike that officially weighs in at 399 lbs! 0-60 in less than 3 seconds.
The R bike is absolutely dripping with carbon fiber. All the body work, belt covers, clutch cover, exhaust shroud, heel guards…. almost everything. The motor has titanium valves, titanium connecting rods, and sand cast cases, magnesium valve covers and headlight bucket. All these super lightweight and technical parts are what add up to its amazing sub-400 lbs weight.
I bought this bike in January 2013, and it’s lived in my home with my collection of bikes since then. I just completed the extensive 6,500 mile maintenance on the bike when re-commissioning it. The bike is 100% and in amazing, like new condition.
We did all the standard maintenance and a more extensive tear down for the 6,500. Obviously as part of the maintenance it got new belts, fuel pump, spark plugs, tires, battery, brake fluid, etc. All engine internals looked great and are completely within specification. All Ducati parts purchased at a Ducati dealer. All the work completed by a 30 year Ducati master tech. I’ve ridden this bike a few times since we completed the work, and it’s absolutely amazing.
I’ve got the books and manuals that came with the bike as well as two keys, a cover and stand. If you can arrange pickup I’ll be happy to include the stand. I’ll help with shipping / pickup on my end, and can deliver to a forward air terminal within reason.
Not part of Ducati’s plan, but the short run of the 999 design makes it almost a guaranteed rarity, particularly in -R form. However in the four years of production, the 999 won three WSBK mantles. Really wanting for track time and a knowledgeable team manager, a 999R adjusted mid-range would still be a blast on a good back road. Carefully.
-donn
eBay shows sold for $15,600.00
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