HELLO VISORDOWN readers, well I've just got off the new Ducati 1198S, 20 minutes ago, after my second session here at the Portimao circuit.
The first thing I've got to say is that this is an impressive track that brings the best out of this new Ducati.
My first throughts when I got here was that this bike would just be a 1098R, seeing as it uses the 1098R engine. But I was wrong. This 1198 is a lot easier to ride than the 1098R as the power and response is a lot softer, but not in a bad way. It's a lot easier to ride compared to the 1098R and the delivery is a lot smoother, specialiy bottom end, and it's more manageable throughout the rev range.
While Ducati's 1098R is a great bike, seriously good, it's not so great away from the track but the 1198 seems a lot more docile and is a much better bike for everyone to ride. It'll be easier for everyday riders to ride fast more of the time.
Although I've only done two sessions, I can feel the suspension is quite soft and the track is quite dusty, so I'll adjust the suspension in my next session and let you know how the bike gets on.
So to sum up, it looks exatly the same as a 1098, it's certainly a lot faster than a 1098 but a lot more rideable than a 1098R too.
