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2006 Ducati Superbike 999S
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– 2006 Ducati Superbike 999S
2006 Ducati Superbike 999S
Built around the Testastretta engine, the 999s possesses the form of a pure sports bike: low, long, and narrow with exciting componentry and a technical look. Ducati’s experience gained over years of successful racing at the highest levels is evident in the design and technical characteristics of the 999s The 999s combines incredible performance with a linear and tractable power delivery so you are “on the gas sooner” and “shift gears” less.
The motorcycle comes with a racing kit that includes a 102 dB Termignoni exhaust half-system with an electronic control unit featuring race mapping and a carbon fibre silencer cover.
Customize your new Superbike with Ducati accessories. Working closely with R&D and the Corse race team, Ducati builds motorcycle accessories that let owners create their own Dream Bikes. With a passion for design innovation and new materials, Ducati itself has become the industry reference point for the finest, custom Ducati accessories available.
2006 MSRP $23,995 USD
Features:
2005 has been an exceptional year for Ducati Superbikes, the range having been completely revolutionised with a series of stylistic and functional refinements and, above all, with a general upward shift in terms of power ratings and performance in both engine displacements and all versions. The 749 and 999 machines have been made more aggressive, edging closer to the dividing line between the street bikes and the official machine used on the world’s racetracks.
For the Superbikes manufactured in Borgo Panigale, 2006 will be dedicated to digesting the generational shift, which has taken place just two years from the launch of the new series, with the numerous innovations and refinements introduced in 2005.
The decision to revolutionise the machines was driven by the return of Ducati to the North American AMA Superbike Championship, which has more stringent rules than European championships with regard to modifications to mechanical parts and chassis: the new model is a result of the efforts aimed at creating a machine that would be race-ready straight off the production line, with a large number of adjustments for attitude and riding position, while also being suitable for use on the road. The result is a superbly contemporary range that is highly sophisticated and able to meet the most demanding sports rider with the basic equipment of the 749 and 999, and gradually approaching the S and R versions in a series of evolutionary steps. This brings us to the current state of the art, with the top of the range position occupied by a 999R packing a massive 150 HP, proposed for 2006 also in a Xerox replica version, sporting the colours of the “official” SBK ridden by James Toseland and Regis Laconi.
The Ducati sports machines share aesthetics based on the concept of racing aerodynamics, with fairings that are highly effective also at extreme speeds. That’s the thinking behind the development of a new upper fairing, designed to protect the rider’s head and shoulders and eliminate air turbulence. The fairing, which is higher and wider than its predecessor to increase the level of protection, joining a tapered lower section of the body, equipped with a pair of sweeping wrap-around and highly effective deflectors. Protection of the rider is one of the key concepts of the latest generation of Ducati machines: the absence of air turbulence makes the cockpit more comfortable – an important factor when riding in traffic and offering significant benefits on the racetrack because stress and fatigue levels are reduced, allowing riders to achieve consistently fast lap times for longer. The unforgiving stopwatch has amply proved this theory.
The styling and aerodynamic strategies adopted are just two of the factors used to achieve the close relationship between competition and series production machines. The box-section swingarm – very light and with very high torsional strength – comes from the world championship experience in the Superbike class and is the most evolved solution for road riding and for the racetrack, apart from adding to the already mean appearance of the 749 and 999. Style and function are also reflected in the exhaust silencer, which is integrated into the rear fairing and protected by a black anodised aluminium cover, and also in the ergonomics of the machine and the multiple possibilities for adjusting rider position. Since their introduction in 2002, the current Ducati Superbikes have been characterised by the ability to modify the positions of the handlebar levers and footrests, and also the facility to adjust steering head rake to two positions, a feature that is unavailable on any other sports machine on the market.
There’s also one final detail worthy of note: fore-aft adjustment of the seat-tank unit on single-seater versions of the machines. These unique features make the 749 and 999 the production machines that, of all the bikes currently on the market, are the closest to the thoroughbred race versions.
The sports personality of these machines are also reflected in the engines, with the impressive twin cylinder engine bringing sheer performance prowess to all equipment versions. These results have been achieved while keeping a close watch on environmental concerns: all the twin cylinder engines, including the 150 HP mounted on the 999R, comply in full with stringent Euro2 regulations.
999S
Like the 749S, this machine is the link between the 999 in the road version and the R machine designed exclusively for the race circuit. Equipped with advanced and highly effective suspension systems and an engine that has all the raw power needed to handle any riding situation, this bike is in its element on the racetrack, despite the fact that it is fully homologated for road use. The twin cylinder engine can be given a further power boost by fitting the racing kit supplied with each bike (available in all countries except Japan).
Style
Like all Ducati Superbikes, the 999S maintains the classic family appearance. The only visible differences are the brakes and suspension, which are aesthetically and structurally of a more professional class. In effect, the S is the link between the road versions and the primarily competition machines. As an alternative to the two-seater machine, there’s also a solo version with specific rear fairing, stylistically very similar to the 999 Factory machines.
Chassis
Homologated for road use, but also perfectly equipped to excel on the race circuit, the 999S uses suspension systems that are rarely found on series production motorcycles. The single shock and upside-down forks are made by Öhlins and are racing specification. The suspensions provide adjustments for spring preload and compression and rebound damping, all functions that are more precise thanks to the use of a check valve that operates on the rebound stroke and makes it possible to obtain clear separation between the various suspension functions with resulting benefits in terms of set-up precision. Also the steering damper is supplied by Öhlins, equipped with an eccentric mount to adapt to the two available steering head angles. The exclusive component parts of the 999S are completed by a braking system with radial callipers.
Powerplant
The Testastretta twin of the 999S is different compared to the standard 999 thanks to the use of more advanced materials. The difference includes a super lightweight crankshaft and newly designed titanium con rods, all of which are key parts that make for significant increases in terms of power output. And if the power of the production engine is insufficient, for track use riders can install the power booster racing kit, which is included with each 999S. With the kit installed, the power rating increases to 143 HP at 9,750 rpm, while torque reaches 11.4 Kgm at 8000 rpm.
Chassis:
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Wheelbase: 1420 mm / 55.9 in
Rake: 23.5° – 24.5°
Front Suspension: Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully adjustable fork with TiN surface treatment, for radial calipers
Front Wheel Travel: 120 mm / 4.7 in
Front Brake: 2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, 4-piston 4-pad radial caliper
Front Wheel: Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Suspension: Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock
Rear Wheel Travel: 128 mm / 5 in
Rear Brake: 240 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Rear Wheel: Y-shaped 5-spoke light alloy 5.50 x 17
Rear Tire: 190/50 ZR 17
Fuel Capacity: 15.5 L / 4.1 US gal (includes 3 L / 0.8 US gal reserve)
Weight * : 186 kg / 410 lbs
Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 in
Instruments: Speedometer, rev counter, high beam indicator, turn signals, oil pressure warning light, low fuel warning light, neutral light, water temperature, immobilizer system
Warranty: 2 years unlimited mileage
Tank and Fairing Colours: Red, Glossy black
Frame and Wheel Colours: Red or Black w/Black wheels
Versions: One Seat
*=* = The weight excludes battery, lubricants and, where applicable, cooling liquid.
ENGINE
Type: L twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder Testastretta Desmodromic; liquid cooled
Displacement: 998 cc
Bore and stroke: 100 x 63.5 mm
Compression Ratio: 11.4:1
Power: 105.2 kw – 143 hp @ 9750 rpm
Torque: 11.4 kgm – 82 ft-lbs @ 8000 rpm
Fuel system: Marelli electronic fuel injection, 54 mm throttle body
Exhaust: Single steel muffler with catalytic converter
Emissions: Euro2
Transmission
Gearbox: 6 speed
Ratio: 1st 37/15, 2nd 30/17, 3rd 28/20, 4th 26/22, 5th 24/23, 6th 23/24
Primary drive: Straight cut gears; ratio 1.84
Final drive: Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 36
Clutch: Dry multiplate with hydraulic control
Colors:
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