Ducati 1198

The Ducati 1198 Superbike is the flagship Ducati sportbike within the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s model lineup. Introduced for the 2009 model year, the 1198 is the successor to the Ducati 1098 Superbike which was produced 2007 and 2008. 

Ducati’s top-of-the-line Superbike is known for bringing racetrack-derived performance to the sporting public. Powering the Ducati 1198 is a powerful liquid-cooled 1198cc L-Twin engine that benefits directly from Ducati’s success in World Superbike racing. The engine is suspended in Ducati’s steel Trellis frame renowned for its unique blend of stability, nimbleness, and feedback. Signature styling features of the Ducati 1198 include its twin halogen headlights, single-sided swingarm and twin exhaust pipes hidden underneath the sleek tail section which keeps styling in-line with the original Ducati Superbike, the Ducati 916.

The Ducati 1198 is sold in three other more expensive variations: The 1198S, 1098R and 1098R Bayliss LE. The Ducati 1198S makes use of higher-spec components including wheels, Ohlin’s suspension, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Data Acquisition (DDA), as well as an additional color option. The R adds additional racing-derived engine performance modifications, full carbon-fiber bodywork, an upgraded Ohlin’s TTXR rear shock absorber as well as an optionally installed Race Kit consisting of Termignoni mufflers and a new ECU.