1098 development questions answered

[amullo]

I got this from a source that is inside Ducati.. along way inside.

As i understood it, it´s information to the dealers, but not actually meant for distribution, although all info is sorta/kinda public. Some information is already confirmed openly.

Q&A 1098
Product
1.It is really so different from the 999? Is it a return to the past? Is it correcting a mistake?
the 999 was not a mistake, it just had a design that customers either loved or hated; the design of the 1098 takes up some of our traditional themes like the horizontal twin headlamps, twin under-seat silencers, single-sided rear swinging arm and so on.

2.Didn’t people like the 999? What was wrong with it?
It didn’t have anything wrong with it and the sales figures are proof of that; it simply has a “divisive” design

3.The headlights make it look like the CBR: why?
It takes inspiration from the 916, definitely not the CBR; if anything it’s the CBR that…

4.It has small silencers: how is that possible?
They are the result of a fluid-dynamic design carefully studied to make them particularly efficient

5.What is the exhaust valve, which you’re using for the first time, for?
it enables us to obtain smoother engine running at a lower rpm

6.Will it run as hot as the 999?
Although all supersport bikes have trouble with heat dissipation, we have worked to increase comfort, especially for the passenger.

7.Will it have fewer problems (electronic control unit, instrument panel)? why?
The bike is fitted with a new generation of components, made by different companies thoroughly tested.

8.In terms of innovation, which concepts and/or components are the most innovative? The new Testastretta Evoluzione engine, a higher torque/weight ratio, the Brembo Monobloc brake calipers (exclusive to Ducati), the data acquisition system, the single-sided rear swinging arm, the elliptical throttle bodies derived from the GP6, instruments based on the GP7, the Marchesini lightweight alloy wheels (forged for the 1098 S) and the 190/55 rear tyre.

9.Will it come in one colour only?
To start with, the bike will only be available in red, the Italian racing colour and our definitive trademark. We are considering other colours that we may use in future

10.Is there a red, white and green version?
The 1098 S Tricolore is a special edition available in the Italian colours.

11.What about the R: is it coming out? when?
We’re waiting for the updated SBK rules

12.That just leaves the 750: is it coming out? when?
It is a traditional model for us but nothing has been decided yet

13.Why have you gone back to the single-sided rear swinging arm? You said that the double-sided one was best for an SBK.
Because this single-sided rear swinging arm is the best-looking option among all those that don’t have a negative effect on performance

14.Why have you cut the price in the USA?
Because the sports bike market is rapidly expanding in the States and we want to be a part of it.

2) Process
*Was it developed in a wind tunnel?
yes and we then went for the best combination of style, performance, cooling and so on.

*What was the initial brief? To remake the 916?
The motorcycle had to fit in with our tradition of pure, unmistakably Ducati sports bikes

*Why have you changed the 999 so soon?
Because we had some great ideas and we decided that it was the right time to use them and create an excellent sports bike

*Who makes the final decision on the proposals/designs/models? The CEO? The Production Director? The Committee?
The CEO makes the decision, bearing in mind the opinion of a small, trusted group of enthusiasts and experts

*When did you start? How long did it take to make?
We began in mid 2003 (with the engine) but the process is non-stop, the ideas were there beforehand too

*How did Ducati Corse get involved or contribute?
Marinelli took part in the whole development process (on and off the track); Troy’s contribution was through his track engineer, Marinelli, who took part in the test stages

3) Organization
*Did Terblanche design it? If not, who did? Who is Fabbro? What did he do before?
It wasn’t designed by Terblanche, the designer responsible for the project is Fabbro; in fact his winning design was chosen from the various proposals of the Ducati Design department. Before working on the 1098, Fabbro contributed to all our most recent projects within the Design department.

*What does Terblanche do now? Is he still with Ducati? If not, where is he? What’s the difference between his designs and those by the internal Design department?
Terblanche deals with the HM (and future projects)

*Isn’t it a bit odd that you are creating Italian Design when 75% of your designers aren’t Italian?
The 1098 designer is Italian and anyway, it’s not your place of birth that counts but the place you live and work in

*Why are Ducatis still so expensive?
The cost reflects our use of the highest quality materials and components and our production scale.

*Why, when the engine is 1098cc, have you asked for 1200cc in SBK?
Because 1098cc is currently the best compromise for a bike that is for the road rather than the track and 1200cc calculates to being the best set-up to compete against the 4-cylinder engines in the SBK championship

*Why doesn’t it have a slipper clutch?
Because the bike handles well with this engine even without that device (take it for a spin around the track will prove it to you). The same can’t be said for the latest Japanese 4 cylinder bikes.

*When will it arrive at dealer showrooms?
By the end of the year

*Doesn’t it have short gearing?
it’s a gearing designed more for road and track use rather than motorway riding Why have you left off the analogue rev counter?
Because the all-digital look is more racing inspired; this instrument panel is the same actual part that will be fitted on the GP7 and the D16RR.

//amullo

[spalding12]

Anders
thanks SO much for this wonderful info

[amullo]

No problem! I posted it on the 1098 forum under 1098S aswell..

[herzeleid]

wow.. good 'first thing in the morning' read.

[bruce19]

God, some of this is just mind bending "corporate speak." Let's see...the 999 "didn't have anything wrong with it" but it's design was "divisive." (Huh?) So, because there was nothing wrong with the divisive 999 design, Ducati returned to "some of our traditional themes like the horizontal twin headlamps, twin under-seat silencers, single-sided rear swinging arm and so on." What BS. I don't know what the sales figures for the 999 were, but what manufacturer dumps a design in such a short time if it's selling like hot cakes? The truth is that the 999 was a "mistake" from a certain point of view and that view eventually prevailed at Ducati. Personally, the 999 has grown on me but it will never be regarded as a beautiful motorcycle by the majority of motorcycle owners. I'd own one in a heartbeat if I didn't already have a 998. It's a great bike in many ways. Just had to rant about Ducati's lack of candor. No reflection on you Amullo.

bruce19

[rz33v4]

Releasing a new design is always a crapshoot for a manufacturer, including Ducati. My guess is that they did not not go through any market testing of the 749/999 design before it was released to the public. No problem if the design is not controversial, but, obviously the 749/999 design was.

With the amount of investment monies required to tool up a new design concept, and the sales gamble for a small company like Ducati, it would appear to be foolhardy (or just plain risky) not to ask potential buyers what they think before market introduction.

[amullo]

Originally Posted by bruce19

No reflection on you Amullo.

bruce19

No problem! I´m just posting upp intresting information..

I´m just glad some of you found it intresting..

I+m also intriged at that statement about the 999 styling. While diffrent then the 916, i still find the design has grown on me and i like the way it looks like a no-nonsense racebike.

I would have guessed that they wuold have released a 999 evoluzione testastretta version before going all out on the 1098, like they did with the 998 prior to the 999.. But what would they have called it? 999 1/2? They sorta painted themselves into a corner there..

//amullo

[bruce19]

I think Ducati is trying to put a new, more acceptable "face" up front in the form of the 1098. They basically have decided that they have to refocus their product line. Hence, the Multistrada, Hypermotard, Classics and 1098. In the next year or so I think we will see a more stable product line. It will be interesting to see what it entails because that will tell us where Ducati wants to go.

bruce19

[MikeM]

I think the real question is: Are the published specs of the 1098 accurate or are they optimistic like those from other manufacturers, since no one seems to be bothered by unrealistic figures anyway!!!!

[rekloose]

Thanks for the write up Amullo.. It is greatly appreciated..