Ducati Bikes 2009

The Ducati sportbike lineup gets some new additions with the new 1198 Superbike. The Italian firm chose the EICMA 2008 show in Milan to unveil its naked 1098 Ducati Streetfighter, as well as its Superbike models: the 1198 joined by the 1198S, 848, 1098R and a special-edition 1098R Bayliss – celebrating the recently-retired Bayliss and his 2008 SBK championship.

Ducati Bike 2009
Ducati Bike 2009
Ducati Bike 2009Displacing 1198.4cc the aptly named 1198 sports a 106 x 67.9mm bore and stroke. Ducati’s Desmodromic system moves valves that have been increased to 43.5mm inlet and 35.5mm exhaust and larger elliptical throttle bodies - now the same 63.9mm diameter as the ‘R’ model.

The 1198 Twin delivers a 6.5-lb lighter weight via vacuum die-cast production of the crankcase. The new mill, which was first seen in the 1098R, churns out its power to the same ratio gearbox as the R.

A trellis frame comes in various colors for the five different Superbike models (1198 racing black, 1198S bronze), with the 1198 incorporating a magnesium subframe.
Ducati Bike 2009
Ducati Bike 2009
Ducati Bike 2009
Ducati Bike 2009Brembo monobloc caliper stoppers adorn both 1198 models. Radially mounted, a pair of four-piston (34mm) calipers bite down on 330mm rotors.

New wheels help reduce weight, with the standard 1198 using 10-spoke grey designs. The ‘S’ benefits from lighter 7-spoke “GP replica” Marchesini hoops (which with a carbon fiber fender account for the S model’s lighter overall weight). Both bikes are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC rubber – 120/70 ZR17 up front and 190/55 ZR17 out back.

Harnessing the raw power of the Testastretta is Ducati electronics, including the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system and the Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA). Debuting on the 1098R last year, the DTC system delivers the same traction control developed on Ducati’s successful MotoGP and World Superbike racing programs to a production Ducati Superbike. The DDA system allows riders to retrieve various data, like laptimes, rpm, vehicle speed and more, via USB port to an external computer. The DTC system comes standard now on the 1198S, as well as the 1098R.