SF 1198 or 1199? A fork in the road.

[StealthFighter]

With the full disclosure of the 1199, and the removal of the 1198 Superbike from the 2012 lineup, it would seem we are at a fork in the road for the next larger-bore SF:

"Left Fork") - Does the SF follow the the Multi and Diavel and get the 1198 11deg engine? Keeping the trellis frame, the SF evolves almost as a big-brother to the Monster, but with a 4v Liq engine.

"Right Fork") - Does the SF maintain its original design charter and follow the Superbike? For now, the 1199 Panigale and the 848 Evo have completely different frames and engines. It would seem only a matter of time before we see an 849 Panigale. Would we then see an an SF1199 and SF849 following suit in a few years?

While the introduction of the SF848 (keeping the current trellis SF line going) and the continuation of the SF1098 with only color changes (holding off for larger changes perhaps) as clues, you could argue either case.

I'm glad to see the SF848 as it will ensure the continuation of the line for a while. I'm hooked on the SF and will likely follow it down either fork Ducati will have it take.

However, years from now when I'm ready for another, I think I would be glad the SF 'swerved to the right' and followed the Superbike, even if it may be a generation behind.

>Stealth

[thought]

my guess? temporarily ducati will go the easy route of the sf848/sf1198 because it's the cheapest route they can go. all engineering done, they just have to dip into the parts bin to pull everything out.

but around 2015/2016 we'll see the sf1199 come out because all the major sbk issues will have probably been worked out by then and europe will probably be making abs standard in all bikes. and the 1199 already has abs designed into it, they just need to figure out a way to hide all the wiring in a frameless chassis.

i think the sf1199 will be pretty interesting looking though... it'll literally look like just a engine with two wheels and a seat attached. the trellis will be missed though.