Ducati have been releasing details on their new 999 ‘Redvolution’ model this week in Europe.

This is a major update for Ducati, who claim that hundreds of improvements and innovative technological solutions are featured in the new model.

Adapting the 999 to each different rider is made easy with features such as foot pegs which can be placed in any of 5 different positions. Ducati came up with the 5 settings after trials with riders between 160cm and 195cm.

On the single seat version of the 999 the seat/tank unit can actually slide fore/aft through a range of 20mm, so a rider can really tailor the bike to his preferences.

A remarkable claim made by Ducati for it’s new model is that 30% fewer individual parts are used in the new machine, compared to the 998.

A point of contention for many seeing images of the bike for the first time is the new asymmetrical exhaust system, which terminates in a single underseat silencer. The two pipes are of differing diameter and length. By changing the diameter Ducati have been able to ensure a matched volume even though one piper is longer than the other due to the traditional Ducati engine layout. This ultimately provides a balanced flow between the two pipes.

The Ducati 999 is the first Ducati designed entirely with the use of 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD).

In the initial design stages of the Ducati 999, design and R&D constantly discussed and exchanged information on the various sketches and drawings. The 999 was designed from the inside out.

The trellis frame is constructed of high-strength ALS450 steel tubing.

Fork rake is adjustable between 23.5 and 24.5 degrees due to a specially designed eccentric in the steering head. The motorcycle’s 1420 mm wheelbase is unaffected by this adjustment, whereas the trail changes from 91 mm to 97 mm. The steeper head angle increases agility and the standard position gives improved stability. The 999 comes fitted with a steering damper as standard equipment (Sachs Boge for the Ducati 999 or an adjustable Ohlins for the Ducati 999 S and Ducati 999 R).

Low speed manoeuvrability and handling have been improved by increasing the steering angle to 28.5 degrees.

The Ducati 999 S and Ducati 999 R use Ohlins forks (wheel travel: 120 mm) and the standard Ducati 999 uses Showa forks (wheel travel: 125 mm).  All fork models have 43 mm TiN coated legs to reduce friction and offer adjustable rebound damping, compression damping, and spring preload.  The Ducati frame uses the engine as a fully stressed member resulting in very high torsional rigidity in a lightweight package.

The rear suspension is fully progressive and fitted with a shock that is adjustable for rebound damping, compression damping, and spring preload. The 999 comes standard with a Showa shock, the 999 S version is equipped with an Ohlins shock.

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