Goose pimples accompanied the launch of the Ducati 916, almost a decade ago. The world seemed rosy, reviews were positive and sales were rising. Then race wins started rolling in, reinforcing the 916's popularity. That was then.
Now, it seems like Ducati have shot themselves in the foot by allowing the 916's long-enduring styling and kinetic competence to become a paradigm. Which means the new 999 has a tough task gathering public acclaim as the 916's successor.
With dynamics given priority over styling, it's no surprise that the new trellis frame and double-sided swingarm are already gathering praise as the 916/996/998 series' handling has taken a significant step forward.
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More kudos come due to the ultra-flexible ergonomics that make completely customisable racers look silly. You can adjust footpegs, levers, bars, fork rake and the monocoque seat-tank combo slides 20 mm to suit every frame.
Better yet, the 916 was a pain to ride in traffic, while the 999 has a 15 mm lower seat to put you 'in' the bike and allow in-town pottering. The engine is the latest development of the Testastretta line that powers the current 998 superbikes and makes 134 bhp through an assymetric exhaust system that exits in a prominent silencer 'box' with two exit ports.
All that is clad in completely new bodywork and a new face with vertical slashes for the air intakes and twin vertically stacked ellipsoidal headlamp beams. Maybe the look is a touch too futuristic, maybe it isn't.
We'll definitely miss the sweet melancholy of the 916's headlamps.