1198 (2009 - present) review
Ducati did a good job keeping this one quiet. Even when launch invitations are sent out without stating the model to be launched you can normally take an educated guess as to what bike it will be. I was told by Urry (who normally gets it right) that I would probably be riding a new 848S so I was pretty confused when the1198 was unveiled at the Milan show.
Ducati did a good job keeping this one quiet. Even when launch invitations are sent out without stating the model to be launched you can normally take an educated guess as to what bike it will be. I was told by Urry (who normally gets it right) that I would probably be riding a new 848S so I was pretty confused when the1198 was unveiled at the Milan show.
At the same time I was surprised to hear Ducati were claiming it had the same power output as the 1098R, but was around nine grand cheaper. This bothered me during the weeks leading up to the launch as it appeared Ducati had unfairly squeezed some extra cash from 1098R owners when all along they knew a much cheaper version with the same performance was in the pipeline. Before I even sat on the new bike I was keen to get to the bottom of this and hopefully in the process find Ducati not guilty of stitching anyone up.
Ducati did a good job keeping this one quiet. Even when launch invitations are sent out without stating the model to be launched you can normally take an educated guess as to what bike it will be. I was told by Urry (who normally gets it right) that I would probably be riding a new 848S so I was pretty confused when the1198 was unveiled at the Milan show.
At the same time I was surprised to hear Ducati were claiming it had the same power output as the 1098R, but was around nine grand cheaper. This bothered me during the weeks leading up to the launch as it appeared Ducati had unfairly squeezed some extra cash from 1098R owners when all along they knew a much cheaper version with the same performance was in the pipeline. Before I even sat on the new bike I was keen to get to the bottom of this and hopefully in the process find Ducati not guilty of stitching anyone up.
Price £11,950
Front suspension: 43mm, fully adj
Rear suspension: monoshock, fully adj
Front brake: 330mm discs, four piston radial calipers
Rear brake: single 220mm petal disc, single piston caliper
Dry weight: 171kg
Seat height: 820mm
Fuel capacity: 15.5 litres top
Colours: White, Red, Black, Red
Engine: 1198cc, liquid-cooled, 8 valve, V-twin
Power: 170bhp @ 9,750rpm
Torque: 97ft.lb @ 8,000rpm
Speed: 165mph
