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 MOTORCYCLE NEWS : GENERAL NEWS 28 / 01 / 08
 

Ducati 1098R - First ride impressions

Visordown Motorcycle News Gateway to heaven?
Jesus this thing is a missile. This is honestly the first bike I have ever ridden that feels just like a race bike.

It's so aggressive on the power delivery. Exiting the final corner onto the start/finish straight in second gear the 1098R's front leaps up when the huge torque hits the rear. The steering is extremely light and agile, as you would expect from such a light bike, and is certainly helped by the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres.

Bravery

Well I tried opening the throttle to the stop exiting the corners and I've yet to actually get the bike spinning.

The combination of race compound tyre and a hot Spanish track seem to be providing enough grip to drive the bike forward rather than spin it. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The confidence having traction control gives is very impressive, I don't feel scared to simply crack it open, well as long as I'm in third or above gear.

Crack it in second and the bike wheelies than shakes its head for the next few yards as it recovers. It's not the most stable bike out there, but the 1098R really is impressive to ride.


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Exclusive Rossi interview, we ride with Prince William & Harry, GS1150 Buyer's Guide, Street Triple R, Win a Ducati 848