Ducati 1098 - the new 916?
Since its launch at Milan's EICMA Show last November, the 1098 has created a real buzz amongst Ducatisti. This was backed up by Australian dealers, who tested the 1098 at Eastern Creek in December, and were unanimous in their praise. We'll run the full specs on the 1098 in a future issue, but basic features are as follows:
FRAME
The 1098 trellis frame has been designed in collaboration with Ducati Corse as a simple layout, where the dimensions of the main tubes have been changed from 28x2mm to 34x1.5mm, with a stiffness increase of 14% and a 1.5kg weight saving.
ENGINE
The 1098 capacity is a result of a significant increase in the bore and stroke of the Evoluzione motor. Highly 'over-square', it now sports a big 104mm bore and a relatively short 64.7mm stroke. Cylinder heads have been completely redesigned and, when combined with advanced MotoGP induction technology, enable even the standard specification 1098 to produce more power than the previous extreme Testastretta 'R' engine.
SINGLE SIDED SWINGARM
Main operational components produced using individual aluminium castings to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminium sections used to complete the construction into a single component.
REAR SUSPENSION
More compact and weight-saving rear suspension linkage system features separate lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit. Fully adjustable Showa single shock for the 1098 and an Öhlins shock for the 1098 S. Rear ride height adjustable independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings.
FRONT SUSPENSION
Fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks with special low friction Titanium Oxide-treated sliders on the 1098, and spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction Titanium Nitride sliders on the 1098 S. Both feature radial Monobloc caliper mountings.
BRAKES
The 1098 is the first production street bike to use Brembo's Monobloc caliper racing technology. The M4-34 calipers are machined from a single piece of alloy, and the design has much higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking, and therefore gives a much more precise feel at the brake lever. The 1098 also introduces, for the first time on a Ducati, 330mm discs. Despite the larger diameter, weight has not increased due to the use of racing-style narrow braking surfaces.
WHEELS
Lightweight Merchesini Y-shaped rims. S models use special machine finished forged aluminium usually reserved for race wheels.
The Ducati 1098 is available now from selected Ducati dealers Australia wide. In addition to the base 1098, a higher performance 1098 'S' is available as well as the 'tricolore' model finished in a distinctive red/white/green paint scheme.
From April '07, the 1098 will also be available in yellow. See your nearest Ducati dealers for further details.
