After a long series of 916-based superbikes, Ducati dramatically mixed things up styling-wise with the vertically-stacked lights and double-sided swingarm of the 999 in 2003.
The styling was polarizing but the riding experience was not. And while many Ducatisti favored the up-spec S and R models, the base model was a quality machine in its own right. Suspension came courtesy of Showa and brakes were taken care of via a Brembo setup, and output amounted to a healthy 140 horses at 9,750rpm and 80lb-ft of torque at 8,000rpm. Ducati gifted the 999 several updates for the 2005-2006 bikes, including a color-matched frame, an updated/braced swingarm, and a power bump to 138 horsepower.
I think the 999 is a fantastic bike to ride, though I’ve never really enjoyed looking at it. Seems like this bike has had an owner that feels the opposite, as it has all of ten miles on it! With that said, the seller says it’s been recently service with a long list of things and new-ish tires (belts aren’t mentioned, though). It’s also got “all books/keys and dealer literature and original delivery stickers untouched since new.”
Find this 999 for sale in Orange, California for $12,999 here on Facebook Marketplace.