Members Bike M88's 2006 999R 'Red Heaven'

**M88** · 27 Sep 07, 09:12 PM

The Route to Red Heaven!

There are already lods of tech biased reviews on the site posted by folks with far more tech knowledge than I'll ever have so here's an alternative...

I’ve ridden for many years now and I have a soft spot for every one of the bikes I’ve owned. From my mums C90 I used to ride around my back garden pretending to win the final of Junior Kick Start through to the split new R1 I highsided because I forgot that I wasn’t Mr Bayliss. As the years went by I decided that I had outgrown all of that sports bike nonsense and so I took the well trodden route to the dark side that is the R1200GS. Now, the GS is a fantastic bike that will handle anything you throw at it but it just doesn’t excite the way a bike should. It was clear that I needed something quicker but still practical. For now I would persevere down the sensible bike path and trade my GS for a K1200S. Again, a great bike that will do almost everything... apart from carve a nice tight line round Knockhill. That disappointing track day was the final straw that broke the back of my Duolever suspended camel. On the way home I started to day dream about all the lovely bikes I’d sat on during my anual pilgrimage to the NEC. Then it struck me like a boot to the twins. Which stand did I spend most of my time on? The Ducati Stand! Which bike did I stare at for longer than any other? The 999! I loved the look of the bike from the moment it was launched but I’d got caught up in the whole “unreliable, expensive, quirky...” thing and had never really seriously considered buying one, until then. The next day I rode to Ducati Glasgow and after an hour or so I left with an invoice for a 999R in my pocket. We’ve been together for just over a year now and each ride just gets better and better. The handling is phenomenal and I could swear she’s ripping chunks out of the tarmac every time we pull out of a corner. Simply put it’s the best bike I have ever ridden and more importantly I’ve found the stupid grin I used to have when I won Junior Kick Start on the C90.

If you’re reading this as a 999 owner then you know where I'm coming from, but for those of you who haven’t yet seen the light there is still time to repent. Red Heaven is just a small add away. Save yourself brothers and sisters, we all know God rides a 999!

As requested
Modifications so far...

DP screen with no light
DP carbon open clutch cover
DP carbon rear hugger
DP carbon number plate bracket
DP neoprene racing seat
DP billet rearsets
57mm racing Termi full system
Ohlins 80kg spring on rear shock

Next
Power commander (waiting for the winter so I can take my time and get it on the dyno to create a specific map.

XP · 27 Sep 07, 11:08 PM

Great write up M88.....

I cant really say welcome to the site because you've been a member for as long as I have...

I'll just have to say welcome back...

XP

Ps...I've added your photo's to your thread, hope you dont mind...

**Ghost** · 29 Sep 07, 10:53 AM

I thought the 999r's had a block matrix plate for the footrests so that a combination of positions was available. Or was that just on a specific model year, I recall seeing it somewhere on one.

Phil

**Ghost** · 29 Sep 07, 10:55 AM

A good pic there of the exhaust dogbone link that someone was after earlier in the week.

Phil

**Brian** · 29 Sep 07, 05:10 PM

What a lovely looking Rrrrrr

**andyb** · 29 Sep 07, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost

I thought the 999r's had a block matrix plate for the footrests so that a combination of positions was available. Or was that just on a specific model year, I recall seeing it somewhere on one.

Phil

The 999r is different to all other models in its range and has only the two peg mounts .....its to do with homologation.

**998gsb** · 29 Sep 07, 09:22 PM

Belated welcome to the Site -luvvverly 999R you got there - hope you enjoy the site........

**joff** · 01 Oct 07, 07:21 AM

Lovely bike...and i really prefer that DP dark windscreen too...grrrrrrrr!

**BaggaZee** · 01 Oct 07, 12:48 PM

Very nice indeed, I do like that screen too, I may have to make enquiries. I love the full carbon fairings too, did that carry on later on the 999s or did they become plastic like they did for the 749Rs?

**hhhjesus** · 01 Oct 07, 02:07 PM

very nice and very very clean

**M88** · 01 Oct 07, 09:59 PM

Thanks for the welcome guys, I recognise the names and have enjoyed you're posts over the last few months. I guess I have a way to go in terms of catching up on the number of posts made.

I spent last weekend riding round the empty, bendy roads on the way to Ullapool and it will be no surprise to you that my opinion of the 999 hasn't changed.

**Douglas** · 05 Oct 07, 08:45 PM

Great looking bike, which was obviously made for you!

Only one point, god only rides his 999 when his 748 is in for a service!!

Welcome back to the site!

best wishes

Douglas

**blackie** · 05 Oct 07, 09:10 PM

Nice one ...wanted an R but just could,nt stretch it....more than happy with my S though, now its got its new coat..

**Borgo** · 13 Oct 07, 10:01 AM

the look is phenomenal too

**Gazza999** · 08 Mar 08, 09:34 AM

Very tastefully done