World Automotive Center: DUCATI 1098R - WHETHER IT WAS THE LAST 1098 SERIES?

New for the 2008 model year the Ducati 1098R looked very similar to the 1098 range introduced a year earlier, but those similarities were just skin deep. The engine was a full 1198cc (1099cc for the 1098) equipped with a slipper clutch and producing a claimed 186bhp with the included race exhaust and ECU. Ohlins suspension replaced the standard Showa gear including a trick TTXR twin tube shock. Liberal use of magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber meant the bike weighed just 165kg (364lb) dry. In a move that set the scene for an ever increasing technology proliferation as seen in the Ducati Multistrada 1200, the 1098R included Ducati Traction Control (DTC), the first for a sport bike. Priced at $40,000, it was more than twice the price of the base 1098 and 50% more than the 999R it replaced.

For 2010 the homologation rules changed, requiring all manufacturers to produce 3,000 examples prompting the launch of the 1198 range that means the base model bikes are closer than ever to the ‘R’ but some important differences remain.

The 1098R has larger, titanium valves, a lightened crankshaft, sand cast cases and 2 injectors per throttle body to go with a soupçon more compression. The repli-racer also has a slipper clutch and a more sophisticated Ohlins TTX rear shock and despite lacking the vacuum die-cast crankcase process is still 4kg lighter. All of this provides just 10 more bhp (180 vs 170) and a meager 2lb-ft of extra torque.