News – Streetfighter and 1198: Ducati at the top of its game at home! – Ducati 1198: always more!

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Streetfighter and 1198: Ducati at the top of its game at home !

News - Streetfighter and 1198: Ducati at the top of its game at home! - Ducati 1198: always more!

By succeeding in blending technological refinement and cult racing, Ducati delights fans of motorcycles with salivating performance … Expected firmly at home in Milan, the Reds have not failed with an ultimate roadster and sports car. !

Ducati 1198: always more !

Only two years after its appearance, the 1098 gives way to an evolution mainly affecting the engine: the twin-cylinder Testastretta Evoluzione offers the bore / stroke ratio of the Superbike motorcycle, i.e. 106×67.9 mm !

A true variation of the F08 reigning world champion, the 1198 now fully assumes its additional 200 cc against the Japanese inline four-cylinder engine. Today it claims 170 hp at 9,750 rpm and above all 13.4 kg / m of torque at 8,000 rpm (160 hp and 12.5 kg / m on the 1098) !

These impressive values ​​are also obtained by the increase of approximately 4% in the diameter of the intake and exhaust valves, while the Desmodromic distribution receives parts – directly from the “racing” department of the brand! – reducing friction in favor of power, as well as cams with more aggressive profiles increasing the lift by about 10%.

The elliptical injection bodies also increase by 13.3%, peaking at 63.9 mm in diameter – the same used on the extremely rare 1098 R -, while the pistons adopt a more resistant composition. Clearly, Ducati "simply" lowered somewhat the staggering values ​​of the 1098R – which actually cubed 1198 cc – to make it a more road version at a more "reasonable" price (everything is relative: around € 18,000 in standard version and € 22,000 in "S" version).

The new 1198 also uses the gearbox ratios of the 1098R – which will remain in the catalog, unlike the standard 1098 – and Ducati is proud to announce that this "new" engine is the twin. lighter ever produced by the brand: -3 kg compared to the 1098! Weight gain directly beneficial to the whole: with 171 kg, the 1198 loses two kilos compared to the 1098 and displays a weight / power ratio almost equal to 1 !

In terms of design and chassis, the 1198 will not confuse fans of the very successful 1098: the line remains the same, while the tubular frame retains its characteristics with a diameter of 34 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm. The 1430mm wheelbase is retained, as is the fully adjustable 43mm Showa fork, which however adopts a titanium oxide anti-friction treatment..

The monobloc radial calipers are also renewed in their functions, as are the two 330 mm discs and the fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber. Only the rims go from five to ten spokes, a detail well highlighted at the rear by the mono aluminum swingarm.

Available in pearl white and red from the start of 2009, the 1198 is completed with an "S" version equipped with Ohlins suspensions, ultra-light Marchesini seven-spoke rims, but also DTC (Ducati Traction Control) released on the 1098R – now adjustable to 8 positions – and the DDA data acquisition system (Ducati Data Analysis). Small subtlety: the "S" will only be available in red and black. To accentuate the dark side of the force ?

Alexandre BARDIN – Photos DR

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