999R changes from 03 - 04

**CarsOrBikes** · 30 May 08, 06:52 PM

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and Ducati. I wonder if any of you are able to answer some questions? And thanks in advance if you can.

I have looked at a couple of 999r's in particular an 06 plate that had 150 miles in a dealer in Manchester and a 53 with 385 miles in Chichester. The first was Xerox the last was Fila.

The swing arm is different, and I am sure at least the 53 one has manual fast idle lever.

The stuff I have been told varies re: changes with these bikes. I am interested to know if there were any really apart from the swingarm and front fairing. Also I didn't notice if the 53 had manual headlamp switching as 04 onwards had to have the lights on all the time.

Has the 06 the manual fast idle lever too? Didn't notice. And were the engines changed powerwise or internally, or gearing? I have been told they were the same in the R all the way through, but read somewhere the early one was 140 and later 150bhp. I have seen a few posts here that mention people wishing to get a very late R? is that because of such changes or rarity, ie: the last of the best etc.

I have seen another Fila 53 with 450 miles in Abergele which has all the sticker kit fitted and it seems to have been laquered in, yet the other one has no stickers at all. Some dealers have said they all should have stickers on them, others say they were on a sheet like the Foggy rep. Which is true?

The plain bike looks fine, in fact it looks new, just as the Xerox one did. I say did because the Xerox one sold.

One more for now which crosses over to the 1098 riders I suppose, which is, I have seen questions asked re: comparison with 999r to 1098s and dont get why if to do with a potential chage of bike. Why not 999r 1098r? Or was it because at the time there was no 1098r? Or is there less of a difference between the s and r of the 1098 to that of the s and r of the 999 if you get me?

To me at least, the 999r represents the very best Ducati were ever able to acheive with 1,000 cc to play with (for the road). And they never improved upon this. The 1098 only makes more power because of the extra cc, as with the 1098r over s. So the 999r must be a milestone bike right? This is why I want to know more from you guys.

Anyway, sorry there are potentially several threads here, but as it is me that wants help, asking these few things in one thread will help me keep track of what I asked and the answers :-)

Cheers.
Sean.

**Triple9** · 31 May 08, 06:07 AM

As far as I know ALL 999's,whether they are bips,S's or R's have the cold start lever.Pretty sure the Fila rep came with the sponsor stickers already fitted,..although I might be wrong.
The '03 bike came in red as standard,with the ltd edition Fila bike being added to the line up later.All 'R's come with a paddock stand,a numbered plaque and a 'race' exhaust.The '03 bike used a standard can with small outlets,...the later bikes got a full assymetric system with larger outlets.Full carbon fibre bodywork.
The '04 bike was an updated version of the '03 bike with new swingarm and it lost the light switch.(Lights now on all the time)
For '05 the motor alledgedly gained another 11bhp,....although that may be down to the way it was measured,rather than developed!

Bodywork changed,....new front fairing and now with a painted carbon guard.Seat unit now made of plastic.
'06 bike identical to '05,...although the Xerox rep was added later on.
For full details on all the models,check out Ducati's excellent website and their archives.
Ducati.com

**CarsOrBikes** · 01 Jun 08, 08:07 PM

I too have heard the method of measurement was what generated the power difference.
I wonder why the pictured Fila has no stickers? It is as new, I went to see it, and the one in Abergele, it is as the Xerox was at Manchester. Different opinions and poor memory of dealers. The RR has a sticker set to be added 'if required', the Foggy rep did, so maybe.... Any way i will check the site as you suggest Triple9.

I like the idea of being able to have the lights off if i wish, not that i ever rode with them off when i had the option in the past. And i definately like the sound of the earlier bike having the carbon tail. The Xerox was 15k and the guy had it at Abergele for almost 18 before moving it to Manchester. So even 3 years older if that, the Fila seems the one. I like the red frame, so i couldn't get a standard early R as they were silver? Am i right?

Also i was told the later black swingarm fits straight onto the early bike? Was there an advantage for the later arm, and was there an advantage with the top fairing vent deletion?

Thanks for reply.

**Triple9** · 01 Jun 08, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarsOrBikes

I like the red frame, so i couldn't get a standard early R as they were silver? Am i right?

Also i was told the later black swingarm fits straight onto the early bike? Was there an advantage for the later arm, and was there an advantage with the top fairing vent deletion?

Yep,the first edition 999R came with silver frame,.....'04 onwards had red frame.
Yep the later swinger will slot straight in,....although you will have to alter the fairing.The lowers flair out more at the rear.On the road you will not know any differance between the two swingarms.The later arms have threaded inserts for bobbins,so its easier to use a common or garden rear paddock stand.The earlier arms used a special stand with rubber cups.(stand should come with the bike)
As for the fairing,...it was rumoured the vents were deleted after instability worries on the faster AMA circuits.In fact Eric Bostroms bike at the 2004 Daytona races had blanked off vents.I think the main reason tho was to make 'em more attractive.

**nelly** · 01 Jun 08, 09:33 PM

05 and 06 had the heads tweaked a little. Not sure if valves grew a little to? Generally considered a better motor, but i guess only if you're pushing it to WSB levels.
The 11 bhp increase also coincided with a weight reduction to

**Triple9** · 02 Jun 08, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelly

The 11 bhp increase also coincided with a weight reduction to

Yeah,......funny that!?

**ducati2242** · 02 Jun 08, 05:02 PM

Dont know about the earlier model but my 06 has 150 bhp at the rear wheel. Measured it on the dyno.

**CarsOrBikes** · 05 Jun 08, 07:03 PM

bought Fila rep ..... it is like new, and missed one, don't think another will be about so went for it.

also demo 1098s :-)

thanks for the tips

**CarsOrBikes** · 28 Jun 08, 05:54 PM

Well, we have the answer regards the sticker kit................ they don't come with them on the bike, the dealers must fit them if none of you ever have. They come on a sheet like the Foggy rep did. This Fila has the stickers on the original sheets never fitted....... guess that makes it as new as it could be? And as mine as it could be cos I bought it :-)

Now the question is do I fit them or keep them?

**safetyfish** · 29 Jun 08, 05:20 AM

You fit them, because it helps to protect the paint underneath from stone chips

SF

**dewky** · 19 Jul 08, 08:59 AM

05 & 06 999R engines have larger titanium inlet & exhaust valves,berylium seats & different valve centre spacing,more cam lift...13.0mm vs 11.7mm,CNCed porting,slightly higher comp and tapered valve collets.
More horsepower but still very well mannered.

**bradders** · 19 Jul 08, 11:00 AM

stickers on for me

**Dunc1690** · 24 Jul 08, 12:03 PM

Good choice !!

I have an Fila Rep myself. The stickers should be lacquered over the carbon fairings.

They only made 200 original Fila Reps ( to celebarate the 200 WSB wins )

Should have a placque on the top of the yoke telling you what number is ( out of 200 )

See pic of mince attached

Cheers

Dunc

**CarsOrBikes** · 24 Jul 08, 06:43 PM

yes, mine has that plaque, 161 and it has the plaque in the box confirming my frame no as authentic etc.

I have never seen one without the stickers, nor have I ever seen one with stickers that hasn't been laquered. With mine came a bag with all the stickers. I have no idea why they were never fitted, but wonder if it may have been an option or if the dealers here fitted them, maybe they were asked not to or just didn't. It was CMW anyway that sold it new, and took it px for Desmo RR.

All I know is I like it. So far anyway.

Harder to ride than my 1098s, and similar to my Factory, just more lively. With a longer range than both, especially the 1098.

No doubt i will have questions to come as i get used to it.

**mary hinge** · 24 Jul 08, 07:22 PM

Iv'e got one too but whats a berylium seat??