|
|
 |
Italian Stallions
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agostini F4 & Testastretta 999R
Daniel Coe
03/01/2005
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Photography by Kevin Wing
|
The
riding position, though committed, is far from prone, and in this respect the
Ducati seems more approachable and accessible than other high-performance
sportbikes. A rider’s reach to the bar spans the low fuel tank and places the
pilot in an aggressive, yet somewhat flat attitude. Therefore, the rider fits
more “in” the 999R than atop it, and this positioning results in a lower
combined center of gravity between man and machine, helping both to work as one.
 Helmet: Shoei RF-1000 Voltage
Leathers: Dainese Nitro-GP one-piece
Gloves: Dainese Speed Knuckles
Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa. (Click image to enlarge)
This Ducati has full carbon-fiber bodywork and trim, and the bike carries
fully adjustable production-grade Öhlins suspension, both front and rear, with
the rear shock attached to a new lighter-yet-stronger swingarm that has been
optimized from Ducati’s considerable experience in World Superbike racing. Up
front, an Öhlins steering damper is mounted horizontally just above the front of
the tank, and the full set of radially mounted cast Brembo brakes are
reassuringly powerful. The calipers work on 320mm stainless rotors; this
combination provides a tremendous amount of initial stopping bite that requires
only a two-fingertip pull at the brake lever. The 999R runs on an exquisite set
of Marchesini forged aluminum wheels that save nearly 7 pounds over the ones
found on the standard 999 models. Beauty is more than skin-deep, as—although
undoubtedly beautiful to look at—these lightweight wheels prove their worth when
charging into and around corners, clearly contributing to the light and
wonderfully neutral handling characteristics of the Ducati twin.
For
instrumentation, the R-model has a complete array of programmable electronic
displays, housed together with an analog tachometer and digital dashboard. Like
the other 999 bikes, the R has an encoded ignition key and switch for anti-theft
protection. Lose the key and you’ll have a long and expensive walk back to your
dealer.
The 999R has enough adjustable features to entertain and challenge
its owner for some time. The seat and tank position, fore and aft, can be
adjusted and tailored to individual riders, and so can the footpeg and pedal
placement. Furthermore, steering rake, rear ride height and wheelbase are all
adjustable. Finally, the frame is designed to vary the positioning of the
swing-arm pivot. The street-going geometry selected by the factory actually
represents a solid starting point and has the 999R ready to ride with minimal
compromise, although the Ducati did respond well to an increase in front spring
and damping rates, as well as a reduction in rear spring preload and compression
damping.
 Riding the tremendously capable Ducati 999R can open new realms for
its willing participant to exploit, and the Bologna twin does this like few
other highly tuned production motorcycles. This bike comes to its new owner by
way of the racetrack and Ducati’s own racing past. The intent of Ducati Corse
for this race-bred machine is to excel on the track—the venue for which this
motorcycle was principally designed and purposely built. (Click image to enlarge)
In a world of
perfect justice, the 999R is far too good to waste on the street. It belongs on
the track. But wherever the lucky 300 owners elect to use their R-models, they
will soon know a simple truth: The 999R is a motorcycle that can better take the
measure of its rider than the rider can take the measure of the machine.
Although we think in generalities, we live in details. And in that rare
moment, those few seconds of complete involvement with the machine we ride—the
grace, rhythm and sheer elegance of riding a motorcycle as one—we forge a memory
that will stay with us forever. The responsiveness, power and intuitive handling
from either of these machines deliver this elusive oneness with our environment,
and it is their exquisitely engineered details that stir our souls even when
they are at rest. - Tom Coram
MV Agusta AGO courtesy of Kaming Ko.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
