The 2008 Ducati 1098R is the lightest, most powerful bike Ducati have ever produced. I will say that again – the lightest, most powerful bike ever. Considering Ducati are World famous for light, powerful bikes ( read fast ) that is saying something. The 1098R produces 180hp, weighs in at 165kg and kicks out 134 Nm of torque. Can I sit down now. This is the bike that Ducati hopes will take them to World Superbike success in 2008. With a top speed of over 187 mph, not an unreasonable target.
Based on the street-legal 1098S, the R has been overbored to 1198cc, increasing from 104mm to 106mm with a stroke value of 67.9mm. That’s a staggering 1.56 ratio. From a twin, in fact, this is the most powerful twin cylinder in history.
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The race-kitted 1098R comes complete with a pair of carbon fiber 102dB silencers and a dedicated ECU, with 8 ready to go profiles switchable from the instrument panel. Ducati also include a DDA (Ducati Data Analyser) and guarantee a 50% reduction in running costs this year. Gone are the days when the engine needed a complete rebuild after every session. The bike is available in one color and one color only – Fire Engine Red – nothing else will do.
The road legal 1098S is only slightly less impressive. The 1098 introduced a number of ‘firsts’ for Ducati and production sport bike design. The 1098 was the first production motorcycle fitted with Brembo Monobloc brakes, the first to have a data acquisition system integrated as standard equipment and the first to use an ingenious construction method for its weight-saving single-sided swingarm. Fully adjustable Ohlins FG511 forks with low friction Titanium Nitride treated sliders. The list is endless.
The 1098S is a race bike, make no mistake – it might be fitted with street legal lights, exhaust and a license plate but it’s a race bike. The riding position forces the rider to mould to the tank and seat, crouching behind the fairing. The chassis responds almost as though you were transmitting the commands telepathically and gives all the feedback you could ever require.
How could you not want one of these? If you don’t want one, there is something wrong with you – see a doctor immediately. The 1098S is almost worth getting divorced over. There are plenty more where that one came from, but a Ducati 1098 is for life. The only really difficult decision is whether to buy a black one, or a red one.
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