Ducati has come out with their new superbike, the Ducati 1098. One quick glance shows a lot of styling cues going back to the very successful 916 design that many missed these last few years. Power output is said to be 160 horsepower with a weight of 381 pounds, very nice if those figures hold up. Suggested retail price is $14,995. The 1098 S will be priced at $19,995 while the limited edition 1098 S Tri-Colore will be $24,995.
That explains Ducati’s exit from AMA racing, unless the rules change, they don’t have a bike. What about WSB?
Link: DucatiUSA
hoyt says
The locomotive look of the current 999’s headlight arrangement is cooler.
Pictures never do any bike 100% justice, so I’m not weighing-in too much one way or the other.
Does anyone else see Honda CBR similarities in this frontal view? Other images around the web suggest it more than this one. Its strange writing that about an Italian bike, so let me know if i need “help”.
Schneegz says
I don’t get it. Why doesn’t Ducati race the Desmosedici in AMA, WSB, etc?
This new 1098 is very pretty, much more so than the 999. I’m really looking forward to seeing it stacked up against the 1000cc, 4 cyl crop, not to mention the rumored 1200cc Aprilia V-Twin and KTM’s 1100cc V-Twin.
Mark Savory says
I liked the 999 headlight assembly better! (It was truly unique) Take a look at the twin headlight / nostril setup / nose peak now — looks like a grimacing face to be honest. Hopefully the bike looks better in person…
Brian^ says
Looks more like the Yamaha R1 headlights than the old 916. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Mayakovski says
I think a 2006 Honda CBR mated with the 2006 Triumph 600, and this is the offspring.
Honestly not sure what I think of it, it’s better than the 999, but nowhere close to the 916.
chris says
does anyone care that they brought back the single sided swingarm?!?!?! i love that look. it’s so minimalist and bare. very Italian. sorry, i’m blubbering. i think this thing is beautiful. and those power specs! whee.
hoyt says
yes, the single sider is very cool.
I like the intake ports.
And, I also like the CBR, R1 look….on those bikes (so there’s nothing against the Japanese style)
It will be interesting to see this bike in person
baron says
The pic i saw at the dealership off dealer dvd showed a more desmosedici front fairing/headlite assembly=much cooler, this one is still cool though. placed my deposit 2 weeks ago and giddy as he!! for feb’s arrival
Earl says
Light/reflector technology means that bikes will all have similarities. And if it looks like the Daytona 675… well, that’s a seriously beautiful bike. So is this. Now, where did I leave that lottery ticket…?
Hugo says
And the inspiration of the Triumph 675 design was? the Ducati 916, so who’s copying who;)
chris says
all I can say is, “Yes please!”
Nick says
I would love to see this thing excluded from competition due to its being over 1000cc. They have shown they can do a masterful job producing a 4 cylinder race bike, and I think they should follow the same rules everyone else does. Why not have the road-going Desmosedici in WSBK?
George Danforth says
This bike is a masterpiece. It is not the 999, nor the 916. It is an entirely new bike. Sure there are many key design aspects of the 999 that I will miss. But when performance is the crown jewel of a dynasty, there is no room to look back. Anyone can sit and point out similarities between the 1098 and other bikes, but how many of you actually design and engineer these vehicles? Ducati has pushed the limits of performance for the better half of a century. I can assure you that every edge on this bike serves a specific purpose; unadulterated by the opinions of the clueless public. It’s what makes it a ducati.
RoadRash says
The 1098 styling is great, and truly Ducati in its origins, 916 exhaust and swing arm, 999 seat, and some new features like the high tech lights.
Considering its un Ducati like price it should be a huge success.
as for superbike the Desmosedici is not legal its bore and stroke exceed superbikes 1.5/1 ratio(its a GP bike). In asking to homologate the 1098
for superbike ducati is merely requesting a displacement increase similar to what was granted to the four cyl machines when they increased from 750 to 1000 a couple of years ago. Why were twins given the advantage in the first place- see the 1.5/ ratio rule (put in place to limit the rpm potential to street class bikes as opposed to GP type machines). A four cyl makes more rpm than a twin because in effect it has twice the bore for a given stroke while still holding to that same 1.5/1 limit per cylinder.
Ducatisti would love to run Desmosedici in superbike, but then Honda would run RC211v and Suzuki would be left out in the cold (the can’t hack it in GP) but then it would be GP and where would that leave Superbike?
The original Superbike rule 1 liter twins v 750 fours should never have been changed.
Sid says
“clueless public” ? and who buys motorcycles? people with opinions and cash.
Whether it be negative or positive, a person’s critique of any motorcycle does not carry a pre-requisite to be a designer or an engineer.
Alberto Carreon says
I’m a hardcdore ducati guy but I also find beauty in other makes as well. The 1098 is awesome,especially when you compare it to a 30,000 dollar 999R,granted I love the triple 9,it just wouldn’t make sense financially to pass up a 160hp ducati for the price of a 749 with after market pipes. I’m buying one, the only negative would be no world championships…as of yet anyway. Bayliss and company will change that in 2008.
Billy Smith says
Best overall bike I have ever seen. I’ll be getting one!
MOTOR-RAJ says
I bought a 1098 6 months ago.. after reaching 38,000 miles on my faithful 1997 916 I bought new when I was 23. The 1098 Styling is luscious. I put 5400miles on the 1098 and decided the horsepower is Great.. but ducati better go back to the Lab on this one.
Call me Crazy, insane, stupid… I’ve heard it all by now.. but Im am less then impressed with the 1098s handling. I’ve toyed with the suspension, friend racers have toyed with it under the influence of my pleading… and Ive gathered some Pro racers.. and Protuners to fondle it too. Around town.. its flickable.. likeable, and mannerly. On the Highway its stiff, mal-adjusted, and squabbles over most inputs outside of a straight line. After 3 close calls of.. walls, gaurd rails, tress.. I decided it was to be sold. IT is still for sale.
Initially, I thought it’d be inspiring like my 916 always has Always been- To push harder, go faster, and ride for 10hours stopping only for a cigarette and fuel… not eating for days- Just Going and going. Unfortunately for me, my Expirience has been the opposite. I’ve only had 2 “tank slappers”.. or highspeed wabbles in my motorcycle life of 25 years- (riding 10yrs in dirt growing up.. and the rest on the street or track) on my 1991 Zx7 and on the several on the 1098 (fitted with ohlins band-aid too(dampner)), most of which were occuring while trying to exit turns.. like general twisty roads.. and Over-passes.
Some like the new slut. I think she runs good and in a straight line instigates bad behavior for me- I often found myself grabbing a handful and wrench’n it up at 90mph with a slight fan of the clutch. Then a turn would arrive.. and I’d turn into the worst grandmother you can imagine- brake to unreasonably slow speeds. I sure as S***t dont want to drop it.. I’m paying for something I mostly despise.
And some like the styling.. it is as sexy ..but with a generic feel.. but more silky than the 916 through 998 versions. Its actually somewhat absent of personality. Well, it isnt as flickable, the clip-ons can’t be lowered becasue the fairings are in the way, the seat might as well not be there( I just wanted to take off my pants everytime and sit on them for padding), and my knees constantly bounce off the frame tubes and fairing , achieving wonderful purple spots… something I dont go through on the 916. The plastic tank- thoguh its a new thing.. seems very 80’s.. and 3 gallons WHAT? This is America.. and I live in Texas- IT IS BIG. I’m filling up 3 times a day !
Im a Loyal fan 888-998 era- I work on my own bikes.. and worked for ducati Dealerships at one point in my life as a technician, The 1098 leaves me wishing I could afford a 4valve version of the ‘Vyrus’. And mostly.. I wish my still eye-pleasing 1098 would sell. IT might be a different beast on the track or find a better situation with someone else.. willing to empty pockets for Ohlins forks and shock. the Best situation i want to give it the “for sale” sign.. or my 916 a new fuel sucking engine.