Janelle Perzina Review Ducati 999S (August 2003)

Exclusive Worldwide First Test!

Uber Babe Meets Uber Bike
Janelle Perzina tests the
new Ducati 999S 03 Superbike
By Janelle Perzina
Official SBK FastDates.com and Team Ducati Corse World Superbike Girl

January 1st 2003: I’d just flown back into LA, my body black and blue and bruised from spending Christmas week with my family back in Minnesota. Every day I had been out snowmobile riding (and cross country racing) with my brothers and friends, and I’d crashed more than once. I hate going slow on snowmobiles, especially with fresh snow falling every day and the weather was really warm, just 10 degrees below freezing! The only bad thing about snowmobile riding in Minnesota is that there’s no where to ride to but from one red neck bar to the next. I was definitely looking forward to getting back to LA and doing the Sunset Strip club scene on News Year’s eve with my girlfriends.

The Casting Call from my Agent
No sooner had I arrived at my West Hollywood condo when the phone rang and it was my favorite riding buddy and FastDates.com Director Jim Gianatsis, asking me if I want to test the new Ducati 999S Superbike for Pit Lane News.

I said “Like Yeah, totally dude! But who do I have to, ahhh... date?”

Always the gentleman, Jim explained he had gotten hold of the first new 999S model off Ducati’s production line, which had been flown to the States for a famous rock star. But the singer was no where to be found when the bike arrived in Los Angeles, possibly vacationing at the Betty Ford Clinic for the holidays? So our inside contact at Ducati hooked us up with the new bike to test, SoCal canyon style, before anyone else at the beer swigging wheelie addicted British sportbike press, or the kiss butt American moto press could get their greasy Dainese’s on one.

(Editor's note: British rock singer Robbie Roberetson has been braggin that he still gotthe first 999S in the states, but we got ours 2 weeks sooner than he did. American Ducati didn't get their press pool bikes until April, meaning you might see their testsin print sometime in June, 6 months after FastDates.com broke it's exclusive world wide first test).

Curb appeal. Hard core sportbiker and supermodel Janelle Perzina will be one of our official SBK FastDates.com Calendar Girls at Laguna Seca World Superbike 2003. Look for her under Neil Hodgson's umbrella on the grid.

With me being the owner of a 2001 model Testastretta 996R (which I love to death and roll it into my bedroom at night where it sits draped in my lingerie during the week, waiting for the weekends), Jim knew I was wet to wrap my long legs around a slender new 999 and give it a try. Essentially the 999S is comparable to the 996R in that both use the same 998cc new generation Testastretta 100mm bore x 63.5mm stoke engine rated for the street at 136hp, and which in race form Troy Bayliss took to the 2001 SBK World Superbike Championship. It is very interesting that the new catalytic equipped 999S still produces the same base power as the 996R

My 2001 996R which retailed at $30,000 came with Termignoni race canisters and a new computer chip in the packing crate that upped the horsepower to 140. For the new 999S which retails at $23,000 you’ll have to spring an extra $3,200 bucks for the Ducati Performance Accessories titanium race exhaust system with CPU module, but they promise us an 8% additional power increase on the 999S up to 147hp. The new asymmetrical exhaust system featuring different length and diameter header pipes from each cylinder must really work well. The new 999S also comes with full Ohlins suspension front and rear, just like the the previous R and SP models. So the new 999S-03 offers real value for the price compared to the R models (a cheap Ducati!).

Ducati has now announced for sale the 2003 year 999R model (see details in the Pit Lane News - New Bikes section) which differs from the new S in that it’s oversquare 104mm bore 999cc Testastretta engine (same as used in the 2002 998R) is rated at 139 hp (up 3 hp over the 999S) with the stock catalytic muffler. In race form the 104mm engine can turn higher rpms and make more peak power, but in street tuning the 104mm engine produces a slightly narrower powerband than the 100mm bore 998cc S motor, so the S is perhaps slightly easier to ride and just as quick in stock form.

Hi zoot Ohlins suspension with lots of little knobs to twiddle, fully adjustable footpegs, shifter and brake pedals, and swingarm pivot height. As if picking my riding gear apparel before riding wasn't time consuming enough!

The only other differences between the 999S-03 model and the upcoming 999R-03 are lighter weight carbon fiber bodywork and a magnesium instead of aluminum headlight module for a 199 kg / 439 lbs versus 193 kg / 425 lbs weight savings, and the newer style Ohlins forks with radial brakes. You’ll have to decide if the $7,000 price difference (or just $3,500 difference if you buy the optional Titanium Race Exhaust for the S model) is worth it for you.

The new Ducati 999 - a face only a mother could love. Janelle, on the other hand, we all can love.

If Looks Could Kill
If looks could kill I’d be a double 00 British Secret Agent and the 999 would be the prom wallflower that never gets a dance. Honestly boys, the 999 is butt ugly in the face, just like that rich old Hollywood producer at Spagos who keeps trying to pick me up. Why Pierre Terblanche didn’t give the 999 a beautiful faired-in headlight nose like the old 998 or the new factory 999 Superbike or MotoGP bike is the question the print moto journalists don’t have the balls to ask. But the reasoning has to do with wind tunnel testing and the front fairing scoops help reduce front end drag, similar to the panier scoopps on the leading edge of the side fairings. From the side the bike almost looks do-able, while it really does have a nice butt you just want to squeeze! (Not suprisingly, the slender new chassis looks really good when you’re following someone else like Janelle riding it -Ed). Over time though, you will come to like the new 999's styling more than the old bike.

What else can I tell you about the 999S that you haven’t been reading about in all the 999 base model tests the past 6 months? Besides the upgraded track quality Ohlins suspension and 13 more horsepower than the base model, the S and R model bikes get the origional Testastretta's engine cases with the deep sump oil pickup to prevent oil starvation during wheelies, hard braking and acceleration. Why the new base model 999 Superbike gets the older style shallow sump cases probably isn't for economy of manufacture, but for future use on other street bikes where ground clearance and easy serviceability is more important. Only Ducati knows for sure, but we will tell you about a problem in fitting optional exhaust systems because of this, elsewhere in this article.

One thing the magazines did forgot to tell you is the new 999 comes with a new anti theft system ignition system with flashing red indicator light on the dash linked to the main ECU computer and includes a micro chip imbedded ignition key just like my Mercedes. So a stolen bike can’t be started unless its returned to a Ducati dealer for reprogramming. Cool. Other cool stuff includes a 2 year warranty with roadside breakdown assistance anywhere in America just like my Mercedes, which is great when you’re between boyfriends.

This Girl Doesn’t Put Out on the First Date
After picking up the new 999S from our undisclosed source at Ducati and riding it back home, it was quickly obvious it has handling like a truck and not like a World Superbike Champion contender. Sure it was rock steady on the Hollywood Freeway, but not ready for a romp between between the sheets or down a twisty canyon ribbon of asphalt like Latigo Canyon. But we knew what was needed to get her in the mood. The Ducati Superbike supermodels always come from the factory with the steering head angle set in the “wrong” 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. Once back at my garage I fabricated a rear wheel stand to support the bike upright by inserting a long breaker bar through the lightweight hollow rear axle (Ducati North America doesn’t have any swingarm stands or accessories yet for the new 999s), then followed 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. Doug Toland told us this is the setting used on all the factory superbikes.

To make any Ducati Superbike model handle right, set the adjustable steering head angle forward to 23.5 degrees, or flash them the deed to your condo in Monte Carlo.

Next I copied onto the 999S the Ohlins suspension settings from my old bike, assuming the chassis geometry of a proven race winner would be left intact on the new model. This included dropping the front end 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.

The 999S 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, cause when I jam my manicured Covergirl red fingernail into the soft tire face it leaves a lasting impression.

Janelle in the saddle of the factory WSB spec 999 during recent tests at Valencia. Note the much prettier nose fairing on the works bikes, but it is illegal for use in Superbike racing. Hopefully this will be a design changed carried over to the street 999s. You can buy this nocse piece now, unpainted in carbon fiber from MotoWheels.

A Blast Down the Cat Walk
With the new 999S all dialed in I phoned up Jim and told him to grab his camera, and we headed for the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu and my favorite canyon carving roads that separate the girls from the boys. Once you get past the readily apparent differences like the wide new saddle, the cool new digital dash which has way more information then you’ll ever need to assimilate, and the cool looking huge central mounted retro looking tachometer (What, no indicated redline?) that looks like Pierre borrowed it from the MH900 Hailwood bike.The new narrow tank and mid section really lets you now easily move around the bike and keep your knees together like in that limo back seat on Oscar night.

Handling wise, it’s hard to improve on near perfection from the previous generation Ducati 916/996/998 Superbike. But the new 999 handles even more to perfection with just the most subtle hint of taking you closer to heaven. The seating position doesn’t seem much lower than claimed, but after 30 minutes of hard canyon thrashing I notice my forearms weren't as pumped up and knumb, nor was my neck as sore for trying to look up the road. Everything works together and the bike flicks through tight corners and tracks dead stable through the sweepers, while being totally stable and secure everywhere. In case you've never ridden a Ducati superbike that's set up right, it is the one bike you can not crash. The Ducati is better than any rider. I 'm in love again.

The engine is pure awesome. Smooth, tractable, incredible power right off off idle up towards the redline around 11,000 rpm. Normally you’ll never ever need to take it past 8 grand the power is so good, and the reward for short shifting is all that incredible torque and acceleration out of a corner. The front wheel pulls up 3rd and 4th gear power wheelies at any time with just a twist of the throttle despite the overly tall final drive gearing. The only bummer is the stock gearing which is way too tall for street, canyons or track racing. Expect to have to drop 1 tooth on the front, or 2 teeth on the rear sprocket. We broke our engine in hard like a race bike, changed the oil and filter after 50 miles, gave the bike a thorough check over, and then went out an rode it even harder.

The front brakes on the 999S use the latest 4-pad Brembo calipers like on my older 996R and work extremely well, but I also suggest the change to race rotors with a higher iron content and less chrome to give the front brakes an even better bite and lever feel. I run the Brembo race rotors on my bikes for the added bite and lever feel. There is no need to change to stainless steel braided brake lines because they come standard.

The new catalytic converter rear muffler is big, bulky and really quiet. But despite its restriction the engine still has more power than you can ever use on the street. And it’s kinda nice being able to actually hear the engine for a change. But that Ducati Performance Titanium Termignoni Race Exhaust sure is tempting despite the price, since it drops some 20 pounds and ads some 11 more horsepower.....

Spending the Night
Needless to say, my 999S didn't make it make it back to Ducati after the test. After a few dramatic tear streaked pleads, fluttering eyelashes and a covergirl smile (plus Sugardaddy's open check book), the 999S is now taking up permanent residence in my garage next to the 996R. Both bikes have their own personality. The old generation, short wheelbase chassis 996 feels like a pit bull on steroids as you hump the tall tank doggy style, cuting and dicing through corners. The new 999 is like a long distance greyhound, smooth and even more confidence inspiring as it archs its way predictavly though corners. Both feel right in their element, but the 999 is a lot more comfortable in doing it.

In conclusion, the 999S costs more than twice the price of any Japanese sportbike, and even $4,000 more than an Aprilia R. Is it worth it? In comparison, yes, particularly if you have the cash or a high limit on your credit card. For a virgin Ducati buyer, you’ll probably be just as happy with the lower priced $17,600 base pinup model 999. But if you are an serious Ducati enthusiast or pavement scratching sportbike girl with a previous generation 916-996 Superbike model and you know how to get down on your knees for some serious satisfaction, the 999S is the box office starlet offering its backers a significant step up in engine performance and handling. You'll be extremely happy you made the move to Hollywood. KISS! -Janelle.


Decisions, decisions! The 999 looks best from behind, while Superbike girl Janelle looks great from any angle!