Sexy Ashton Grey helps our FastDates.com project bike 999r05 get even faster with a new Termignoni full Race Exhaust System, BST Carbon Fibre Wheels, and a Bucci Slipper Clutch.

2005 Ducati 999/749 Superbike model Performance Upgrades

The new 2005 model 2nd generation Ducati 749 / 999 Superbikes offer two significant performance gains over the 1st generation models introduced in 2003. The first is the upgrade on all the 999 models to the deep sump version of the Testastretta engine for better oil pickup, and then an across the board power inclease from 140hp at the crank for the base 999, 143hp for the 999S and 150 hp for the shorter stroke 999R. The other is the change to the new Marchesini forged aluminum wheels which offer a 4/5 lb (front/rear wheel ) weight saving over the previous cast aluminum wheels.

Other changes include the chane from the previous cast aluminum swingarm to a race style welded-up stamped aluminum swingarm for less weight and more strength. And the new radial brake mount style Ohlins front forks with new brembo race style caliperson the S and R models for better braking performance.

The 999R05 On the Dyno
We took our Fast Dates Ducati 999R05 project Superbike to Evoluvione Cyclesport in Simi Valley, CA, to have it dyno checked with the new Termignoni 57mm Full Race Exhaust System installed. Evoluzione owner Ken Zeller is one of the most experienced exotic Italian bike builders and tuners on the West Coast, and he knows the Ducati 999 models inside/ out. Ken can help you with ordering any parts you might want for your bike, installing and tuning it for the street or track.

We were the first Press or public to ever dyno test the new 999R05 with the just made available full Termignoni 57mm Race System for it (previous model Termignoni 57mm systems won't clear the new swingarm). The complete Termignoni system takes some 4 hours to install.
Normally we'd install the Termigoni System ourself. But this time we had our System installed a Pro Italia, Glendale, CA, where we bought it, becasue twice previously had application fitment problems with other new Ducati Performance parts, and dealers don't like to take back expensice special order parts when they can't experience the fitment problem for themselves in their service department. And that way it's cover by Ducati factory warranty.

Just as we rode our Termignoni Race 999R05 into Evoluvione for its dyno runs, Ken was rolling another customer's box stock 999R05 off the dyno from its run. This gave us the numbers for our 'before and after' performance gain comparison. And while it wouldn't be exact because two bikes are never an exact match on the dyno, it had to be a pretty close match. Particularly since the weather conditions would be more equal compared to being 4-5 hours apart after changing the exhaust system out.

You'll note is the charts below that our Rear Wheel Dyno numbers are significantly lower than the 150hp @ 9750rpm advertised by Ducati for the 999R05. That's the difference between factory advertised crankshaft horsepower, and driving that power in the rear world through a transmission, chain drive, bearings and rear wheel with all their resulting horsepower losses.

The stock Ducati 999R05 recorded a peak horsepower of 132.85 @ 9750rpm which is really very good. For a comparision, one popular sportbike magazine recently dynoed the current Honda 2004-05 CBR1000RR Superbike and recorded a peak of 134hp at 10,500 compared to Honda's advertised power for it of 160hp. So stock 2 cylinder V-twin Ducati making almost as much power a 4-cylinder Honda turning 750rpm more means they're pretty well matched. Except in the real world where the Ducati's wider powband with less shofting will pay dividends.

Left: On the dyno the 57mm Termigoni Race System (red line with squares) shows a major performance gain over the stock 999R05 (black line with circles) in both both horsepower and torque right from the start a 4,000rpm. In the main 8,500-9,000rpm power band there is a huge 15 horsepower and 10ft/Lbs of torque gain. Notice the Race System's horsepower curve suddenly goes flat at 9,000rpm rather than continuing up in a nice round curve like the stock bike's power band below it. This might be attributed to the engine running out of air with the bike parked on the dyno, but at speed on the road the ram air intake ducts in the fairing should keep the power climbing, And while Ken terminated the dyno runs at 10,000rpm where the stock bike was falling off on power, the Termigoni equipped bike is wanting to keep going towards the ignition cutoff at 11,500rpm. At racetrack speeds the peak power might be significantly more than shown on the dyno.

Our Termigoni 57mm Race System equipped 999R05 recorded a peak 8hp horsepower gain at 9700rpm with 140.9hp, but even more important, a very significant power and torque gain across the entire RPM range, including a huge 15hp gain from 8500-9000rpm! Rideability and traction is improved everywhere in the powband.

You can see the Race System's horsepower curve suddenly goes flat at 9,000rpm rather than continuing up in a nice round curve like the stock bike's power band below it. This might be attributed to the engine running out of air with the bike parked on the dyno, but at speed on the road the ram air intake ducts in the bike's fairing should keep the power climbing. We were too lazy to try runing the bike on the dyno again after removing the gas tank and opening the top of the airbox so it could get more air.

And while Ken terminated the dyno runs at 10,000rpm where the stock bike was falling off on power, the Termigoni equipped bike is wanting to keep going towards the ignition cutoff at 11,500rpm. At racetrack speeds the peak power might be significantly more than shown on the dyno.

Just for fun, if we postulated on crankshaft horsepower for the Termigoni equiped 999R05: the stock 99R05's rear wheel 132.85hp vs. 150hp advertised crank, we get a power loss of 12.9%. Factor that same loss percentage to the power gain on the Termigoni equipped 999R05 of 140.89 hp and we could surmise the Terminmi equipped bikes is now turning out 159hp at the crank. The Termigoni Full Race Sytem delivers the 8% power gain as promised by Ducati Performance, and even more significanly it does it across the entire RPM range. And who knows, with the ram air induction working at speed the power increase may be well up close to 170hp ....

If you're a speed junkie, the Termigoni 57mm Race System is a must have for your 999R05. If you have one of the other model 749 and 999 bikes, the less expensive Termigoni 54mm Race System should provide very similar 8% gains across the powerband.

Our own Fast Dates 999R05 Superbike is ready to romp, down 10 pounds and up 10 hp from stock.

Wheels and Tires
The 999R05 comes with some awesome rubber, new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Radials. The back hoop is a huge 190/50 ZR17 that looks like Jennifer Lopez from behind, and sticks to the pavement like an aspiring young actress to a casting director’s couch. These skins are definitely race track bred, and should be your replacment tire of choice for any 999 model.

The 2005 year model 999 and the 749R model Superbikes come with the latest Marchesini forged aluminum race wheels, which are incredibly stong and some 4 (front) and 5 (rear) pounds per wheel lighter than the previous model cast aluminum wheels. There is really no need to make a changer to another wheel since these are what the factory Ducati Corse Superbike team is running on their bikes.

We had the Blackstone Tech (BST) Carbon Fibre Wheels removed from our previous 999S project bike and just had to put them on our new 999R05 for the cool factor. The rear BST wheel at 17 x 6.0 is half an inch wider than the stock 17 x 5.00 stock wheel to help get a wider contact patch on the pavement. The front rim stayed at 3.50 wide, though we would have liked to run a 3.75 if BST made it, but they don't. In comparing the weight of the stock Marchessinis and the BST, we found the BST carbon fibre wheels to be only about 1 pound lighter each, per wheel. Certainly making it very difficult to justify the $3,000 price tag for the BST wheels. But BST reminded us their smaller weight savings is still a more significant performance gain than just the 1-pound weight savings might seem a first impression. The Marchesini forged aluminum wheels save most of their weight in the spokes and at the hub, while the BST wheels are lighter at the outer rims to still provide a worthwhile performance gain by reducing rotating mass furtherer from the axle for quicker steering / handling with reduced gyroscopic effect and quicker acceleration and braking. And yes, we did fell a noticeable improvement in handling reponse and improved performance when we rode the bike after switchng to the BSTs.

But if you have a limited budget of around $3,200 to improve your 999 we suggest first going with the Termignoni Race System which looses about twice the weight (4 lbs compared 2 2lbs for the BST wheels) while also improving power and throttle response.

And with these extreamely light carbon fibre wheels you've got a huge reduction in rotating weight, and hence the gyroscopic effect that makes a motorcycle stay upright and go where its pointed. Under 25 mph, without much gyroscopic effect from the reduced mass of the wheels, the bike is somewhat unstable and nervous and you have to pay attention to controling it. But once up over 25 mph and at normal riding speeds the bike handles great with incredible turning response. It turns, flicks and changes direction immediately where you want to be.

Suspension
The base 999 / 749 models come with Showa suspension which is pretty good as is, particularly the front forks. If you are an experienced rider that pushes the bike hard, or wants to go racing, we do recommend upgrading to a better performing Ohlins rear shock assembly. The Japanese have never been able to master the art of building a really good rear shock. Follow your bike's Owner's Manual factory recommendations for initial suspension setup for damping and ride height. Our Paddock Garage chapeters on Suspension Setup will help you dial-in your bike's suspesion further for your weight,riding style and racing applications.

One important note: The Ducati Superbike models always come from the factory with the steering head angle set in the “slow” position for the added liability protection against geeks, novices and motojournalists whose only visit to the race track is on press new bike introduction days. Follow the instructions in the Owner’s Manual to disassemble the top triple clamp and rotate the steering head 180 degrees, pulling in the adjustable steering head angle from 24.5 to 23.5 degrees. This is the steering head setting used on all the factory Ducati superbikes.

The 999S and the 999R comes with Ohlins suspension front and back. We dropped the front end of our bike from the stock 1st groove setting at the top of the fork tubes, down to the 4th groove to quicken up the steering even more and lower the ride height, and keeping the suggested damping settings offered in the Manual. You’ll find the Ohlins suspension, when dialed in right for high speed work is a little more harsh for street riding than the lower budget Showa components on the base 999 model.

Added bonus! Janelle and Robin and Ashton Ducati 999 FastDates.com Screensavers
Click on the links to these pics and then save to your computer hard drive.
You'll find more pictures and a profile feature of Janelle in Meet the Models and in Members Corner.

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Ducati Performance Catalog
Ducati was the first, and remains one of the very few sportbike manufacturers offering a complete range of optional factory designed or specified high performance engine, chassis, wheel and suspenion components for their bikes. There is a specific 80-page Ducati Performance Catalog for the 999 / 749 Superbike line and you'll want to get this catalog before beginning any upgrades to your bike. The Catalog retails for $10 at your Ducati dealer, or you can download it for free as a printable PDF file from the Accessory section on the Ducati.com website.

For the most part, we do not recommend purchasing any competiting brands of products not sold by Ducati, both for their possible lower quatlity, reliability and performance gains, and the fact it will probably devalue your bike if you ever sell it. A good example of this is running another brand of performance exhaust system other than a Termigoni exhaust from Ducati Performance. Termignoni is the official OEM production and factory Corse race team supplier to Ducati, and the only systems which are developed in a close relationship with the factory. All Termingoni exhaust system kits come complete with a recalibrated computer module, necessary to readjsut the bike's fuel injection to the new higher flowing exhaust to assue a performance gain.

You will find, like Ducati motorcycles, the Ducati Performance Catalog parts are dearly priced from your Ducati dealer. Many of the Ducati Performance Catalog components do come from outside venders like Marchesini wheels, Bucci clutches,and Ohlins suspension and others, and most of thees parts be purchased at lower cost from a Marchesini, Bucci or Ohlins distributor since not as many mark-ups are involved.