The number 3 with two zeros trailing is the numeric expression of how many motorcycle riders, collectors or racers in the United States that will bask in the glory of what may be the best sportbike available today: The 2008 Ducati 1098R.
As my English ex-pat friends would say of those fortunate enough get their $39,995 checks written before anyone else, "Jammy gits!"
The 1098R isn't so much the next evolution in the 1098 line as it is a homologation obligation that allows 300 people to be the benefactors of WSBK rules. Perhaps I should say that the 1098R is revolutionary in that it's the first streetbike (streetbike, puh-leez!) with available traction control. Ducati makes no ifs, ands, or buts about it, DTC (Ducati Traction Control) is that something special that the Big Four keep toeing the line with but are too litigious-conscious to cross. It's also identical to the same system found on Ducati's factory superbike and MotoGP machines. Awesome!
More:
2008 Ducati 1098R Review on Motorcycle.com
