Ducati 1098

The Ducati 1098 is a sport bike^[1] manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company Ducati since 2007. There were three different versions, called the 1098, 1098S, and 1098R.^[2] The first two models were replaced by a successor model, the Ducati 1198, that was introduced in 2009.

The 1098 shares more design elements with the older 998 than with its predecessor the 999, such as horizontally placed headlights and a non-integrated exhaust system. Another carryover from its 916/998 heritage is the single-sided swingarm. This return to a more traditional Ducati design has been welcomed by many Ducati fans who criticized the design of the 999. The Ducati 1098/1098 S/1098 R were available in black, red, yellow and a special edition 1098s in the Italian national flag colours of red, white and green called Tricolore. The 1098 was designed by Ducati designer, Giandrea Fabbro.^[3]

Performance

The 1098/1098 S makes a manufacturer claimed 160 hp (119 kW), 90.4 lb·ft (122.6 N·m) torque, and weighs 173 kg (380 lb). The 0-60 mph time is less than 3.0 seconds and top speed is estimated at 180 mph (290 km/h).^[2] The 1098 R makes a manufacturer claimed 180 hp (134 kW), 98.8 lb·ft (134.0 N·m) torque. All these figures give the 1098 the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any production sport bike ever made.^[4]

Racing

With the release of the 1098, Ducati created a stir not only with road riders, but also in the racing world, specifically the Superbike World Championship. In an attempt to level the playing field, WSBK regulations provide for concessions to motorcycles depending on the number of cylinders in their engine design. The fewer the cylinders, the more concessions, and with its two cylinder V-twin design Ducati was able to capitalize on many of these concessions.

Ducati argued that the current engine was at the end of its design life (which surrendered as much as 20 hp to the competition in 2007, its last year in WSBK) and that it would be too expensive to keep the 999 competitive. The 2007 WSBK rules limited V-twin engines to 1000 cc, so Ducati effectively did not have a guarantee that the 1098 was eligible for entry in the premier class. Before releasing the 1098, Ducati lobbied the FIM to update the WSBK rules to accommodate its new bike, threatening to withdraw from WSBK competition if the rules weren't changed. Other manufacturers were not happy about racing a bike with a larger engine, especially when that bike belonged to Ducati, which has historically dominated WSBK competition, and Suzuki even threatened to withdraw if the rules were changed. Ducati prevailed when, in June 2007, the FIM announced that the engine capacity limit would increase to 1200 cc for 2008.^[5] However, this increase in displacement was not afforded without concessions on the part of Ducati. With the new 1200 cc maximum displacement for two-cylinders granted, the extra engine modifications allowed two-cylinder machines were surrendered. Engine modification rules for two-cylinder and four-cylinder machines are now parallel. Rules for three-cylinder machines remain as before.

Ducati won the 2008 Superbike World Championship with its 1098 R, along with the 2008 British Superbike Championship. Ducati have won 13 World Championships since the Superbike World Championship was established in 1988, and secured the manufacturer’s title for the 15th time.^[6]

Remodelled for 2009

For 2009, Ducati took the past success of the 1098 and modified it to honour a racing legend and to improve the performance of the Superbike.

Key changes include an upgrade into a 180 hp L-Twin "Testastretta Evoluzione" engine, and the inclusion of the Ducati Traction Control for better handling. The more common version of the bike is called "1098-09 R", which comes with the traditional Ducati red fairing, black chassis, and white sub-frame. The wheel rims are gold colored.

The main reason for Ducati to re-model this bike was to celebrate Troy Bayliss' victory in the 2008 Superbike World Championship season riding for Ducati, after which he retired. Ducati built the remodelled 1098 to salute the career of Bayliss and his three World Championships. It also allowed for Ducati to sell a few models of the 1098 in a colour scheme very similar to the one that Bayliss' bike used during his successful races in the 2008 Grand Prix, as well as his number "21" on the side. This model is suitably named "Ducati 1098 R Bayliss Limited Edition". According to Ducati, only 500 units of this new bike were manufactured. Other additions to the 1098 R Bayliss LE include carbon fibre heat shield on the exhaust and 5-spoke wheels (similar to Bayliss' original).

Reviews and awards

• The SWA (Supertest World Association) awarded the 1098 the "Best Bike of the Year" award for 2008.^[7]
• "International Bike of the Year 2007 and 2008" by the choices of the world's moto-journal communities as well as journalists.^[8]
• "Best of Show" reward in Italy and abroad.^[9]
• "Best Design" and "Best Sportbike" awarded by the Motorcycle Design Association.^[9]
• "Bike of the Year 2007" award given by magazines Moto, Australian Motorcycle News and Motorrad.^[9]

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed unless noted otherwise:

Successor

The 1098 and 1098S were replaced in the Ducati lineup by the Ducati 1198 in 2009. The 1198 has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, fairing, speedometer, headlights, the addition of traction control and a few other minor changes.^[10] The 1098R still remain in production.

References

External links

• Ducati 1098 Official Ducati site
• Ducati Unveils Stunning 1098 Superbike article from Motorcycle Daily
• Ducati Releases 1098 article from Motorcycle USA
• 2008 Ducati 1098R Review 2008 Ducati 1098R Review from Motorcycle.com
• Ducati 1098 review Road tests of the Ducati 1098 and 1098R