Insane. Ducati Superbike 1098 S

With a possible merger with Harley-Davidson floating in the air, Ducati is in the news. Maybe it’s time you discover more about the company producing the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle in the world. The best way? Live out your MotoGP dreams on this absolutely insane ride. The “Tricolore” model (because it’s painted red, white & green, the national Italian flag colors) will set you back $25,000, and in exchange you will get a bike designed on the race track and producing 160 hp and 90.4 lbs/foot torque in a very light weight of 381 pounds. You will get the best of everything like Brembo brakes, light weight alloy Marchenisi wheels and 102 DB Termignoni racing muffler kit with dedicated ECU. The 1098 S is the quickest lapping Ducati in history and if you ride one, I want to hear from you. BTW, I think it would look good in Harley black and orange paint scheme  Ducati.

10 Responses to “Insane. Ducati Superbike 1098 S”


  1. 1 Urban Biker Jun 27th, 2007 at 11:43 am

    That is tight, I wonder what the wrench time is like on a ducati

  2. 2 a 1 cycles Jun 27th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    ducati traditionaly has a higher maintenance interval and more costly service schedule..to make all that power you have to sacrifice something and usually it comes from the customers wallet down the road..awesome bikes. fast..just not for the home mechanic to service. desmo valves have no springs.timing belts must be aligned properly or exspensive noises happen..seen it all before.love the brand. fast and beuatiful just like their women.

  3. 3 Nicker Jun 28th, 2007 at 1:18 am

    The late Steve Bailes, a former AMA grand national rider who bought an ex-racer from a sponsored team told the following story.

    On his first ride he was entering a freeway on-ramp. He applied a liberal amount of throttle expecting to merge at speed. To his disappointment he heard the engine rev-up and watch the tack get buried, but the anticipated acceleration never happened.

    He said:
    “…I was so damn mad! Here I’d spent all this money just to end up with a slipping clutch. Then i made the mistake of letting up on the throttle so the bike and engine could catch up to each other. Suddenly, the rear wheel (which had been spinning all this time) got traction and i found myself doing a high speed wheel stand down I-680. I’ll never make that mistake again!…”

    Simply awesome performance.

  4. 4 Nicker Jun 28th, 2007 at 1:36 am

    -BTW- Urban-B

    A couple of months later I asked Steve how he liked his new scooter. He said the rear cylinder had been pumping a little oil (to be expected from a bike that had a hard season of racing on it). But after he found out that the rings piston and cylinder were sold as a matched set at a “significant cost” he decided to sell it. In favor of something more cost effective.

    Nothing is free………you play , you pay………

  5. 5 goldiron Jun 28th, 2007 at 9:17 am

    Ducati takes a different approach than Willie G. when it comes to may things including styling. A major premise and philosophy that Willie G. takes is his display and showcase of the engine within the frame. This basic tenet of style and design leads to the technological and design limitations at Harley-Davidson. I believe that we may see either some trellis designed frames or frame components incorporated within the Harley line-up or a lower performance power plant within the Ducati lin-up to appeal to and the more rudimentary skill levels currently needed to wrench on a Harley. High performance anything over the last century has always demanded more attention than “plug and play” stock versions. All manufacturers are reticent about releasing race level technology to the public for street usage. The requirements of race level components differ greatly from street level. I do not believe that this level of technology will bode well within the current Harley owner’s financial structure. It would require a rethink of how a bike is to be ridden and maintained.

  6. 6 Nicker Jun 29th, 2007 at 1:44 am

    Goldi

    RE:
    “…require a rethink of how a bike is to be ridden …”

    In reality, 90% of bikes out there are being “driven,” not “ridden.” And not many know the difference.

    For a reality check on its assertion try asking your average scooter jockey “how do you steer a motorcycle.” It’s a real eye opener!

  7. 7 a 1 cycles Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:15 am

    i steer mine with the rear wheel mostly…as i still race grand national dirt track…gnc #22u mike beland

  8. 8 Nicker Jul 2nd, 2007 at 10:29 pm

    your in the 10%

  9. 9 goldiron Jul 3rd, 2007 at 10:22 am

    Nicker and Mike Beland, You are both correct about riding skills and point my next comments directly at the obvious misconception within the framework of motorcyclist licensing.

    Many licensing programs in many states have a skills waiver based upon completion of an industry sponsored learn to ride course. These courses do not begin to offer enough practical riding skills nor experience in handling a motorcycle. Many of the courses are taught at dealerships and include a significant portion of the classroom and range time with marketing/familiarization of all the products of the manufacturer’s lines represented within the dealership.

    Within the format of a limited amount of hours, no practical street time is offered. All training is done on parking lots. Very few students train on a bike they will be actually licensed to drive. Roadway surfaces and surface changes are never experienced nor is roadway furniture.

    Many states have ascribed to this program under the auspices of motorcycle safety. The states that do not/will not offer this program are being sued/blackmailed. Some states have entered exclusive agreements with this marketing/lobbying group while providing no checks and balances or safeguards to prevent abuse on the part of a vendor.

    The current curriculum of this program is leading sheep to slaughter.

  10. 10 Nicker Jul 5th, 2007 at 6:31 pm

    Goldi

    I’m not even addressing safe riding strategies, let alone racing tactics.

    I simply apply the term “riders” vs “drivers” to those who do and those who don’t understand the simple physics of counter-steer. Most don’t! And those who don’t will come up with some creative explanations regarding how a bike turns.

    Lets face it, folks into a slow putt around town can get by on a cautious driving strategy coupled to strong road-rash paranoia (that is,unless/until an emergency maneuver is required).

    I’m thinking the liability involved in teaching the clueless must be high. After all, the implied warranty is that you’re teaching them to avoid a crash. So, guess who they’ll lash out at when it happens.

    In an earlier time there was less traffic, less horsepower, and less litigation. And those few interested in MC activity, understood the risks (and stigma) involved.
    Today, it’s become a “consumer-sport.”

    Hell, i won’t even sell a scooter without the following disclaimer:

    “… xxxx is sold as a display item, not intended for operation as a vehicle… The seller makes no implied or express warranties beyond it’s visual appearance… ”

    Of i’m selling a running bike, after demonstrating that it works (NO TEST RIDES) i tell them it takes no skill at all to get injured or killed on it. What they decide to do after it leaves my place is on them.

    I’ve not sold a running scooter in a long time. The insurance required to cover a wrongful death suite is past my threshold of pain. I’m retired. I’m don’t intend to loose my home to some clueless clown trying “to be somebody.”

    Litigation by the incompetent is principally what killed the US Civil aviation industry.
    Who did the stringent requirements to get a pilot’s license protect…???

    -The Nicker-

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Cyril Huze