Base Model vs S Model 1098?? Which one??

[Sagerider]

I have gone round the corner now and really thinking about getting a 1098.
What I am seeing difference wise is the "S" has the Ohlins suspension
and the Base model does not and that is just about it. For another five K you can get the the "race only exhaust" the magazine guys have been riding with the S model or get the tricolor which is a paint job and the race only exhaust
and the Ohlins.
I am thinking I could get the base model and install Ohlins internals in the forks and then buy an Ohlins rear shock or other up scale unit. Money ahead
to get what ever???
There is no difference other than suspension or suspension + exhaust from the base model.
5K for a set of Ohlins? does that seem high to you?
5K for an exhaust system is just plain nuts to me. I thought 3 1/2K was
crazy for the 57 mm Termi but 5K that is a little over the top I am thinking.
The carbon cans for the S model are just that, over the base model so other than the carbon covers are the same as the base units exhaust.
Makes me think the base model is the way to go.

[aparedes]

If I am nos mistaken the S model has ligther wheels!!

[corvus]

S has forged wheels , it seems the exhaust is the same though just black on the S . even though many of the mag reviews are showing S versions in photo's with temi's,
when I asked Ducati rep he informed me the S would not come with the termis, the other diff is the USB key and software wich comes with the S but I believe is a $300 upgrade for the base 1098.

[rz33v4]

What you always get into is how much resale the factory "S" model will carry over what you will do yourself. Usually, since people understand the factory mods and trust their engineering, those are worth more come sell-time than if you do the work yourself.

However, if you're like many of us, resale is the furthest thing from your mind when buying a new bike. So go ahead and mod the base model. With the money you save, buy not only the exhaust and Ohlins fork internals/rear shock, but also some forged magnesium or carbon fiber wheels and have a better package than the "S".

You might want to check with Motowheels; they have a special base 1098 package that sounds close to what you want, if they are in your area.

[Mistress2]

When you factor in the cost of adding the aftermarket parts and installing them or having them installed you are money ahead buying the S.

Fork Upgrade- $2500
Rear Shock Upgrade-$2000
Wheel Upgrade-$2500-$3500
Steering Dampner Upgrade-$750
DDA-$300

Looks like alot more than $5K and this does'nt include installation

Every article that I have read has made significant comments about the handling of the S vs the standard. And we all know the better it handles the more condidence we have and therefore; the faster we go! Is'nt that what's it's all about.

[TwinSpeedJunkie]

Originally Posted by Mistress2

When you factor in the cost of adding the aftermarket parts and installing them or having them installed you are money ahead buying the S.

Fork Upgrade- $2500
Rear Shock Upgrade-$2000
Wheel Upgrade-$2500-$3500
Steering Dampner Upgrade-$750
DDA-$300

Looks like alot more than $5K and this does'nt include installation ...

You have to figure that even though the "S" comes with Ohlins suspension, the likelyhood of you (the owner) having to change out the springs and\or modify the valving in the shock and the forks to get the suspension dialed right for your riding style and body weight is pretty high. So that kinda defeats the idea that if you buy the bike with the Ohlins bling that no other modifications to the suspension would be required.
You can probably get the shock and forks re-done on a base model for around $1200.00 or less ... and even if you went with a Penske or Ohlins aftermarket rear shock you could still get the front and rear suspension done for less than $2,000.00.

Eventually, like all of our current Ducati bikes, there will be factory parts available for sale on E-Bay from the people who crash their bikes., So you could potentially get a set of wheels for a grand or less (depending on your patience level), or even step-up and get a set of aftermarket wheels for around $2,000.00 or so that would look tits and perform just as well ... not to mention that they would be unique from everyone else.

Finally, you can get an Ohilins steering dampener for less than $500.00, or even another brand that is equally as good for less than that. Toss in the $300.00 for the upgraded onboard computer from the dealer and you have a bike that is specifically set up for you (the owner) for the same price or possibly even less than the "S" model.

Just my $.02 worth ...

[Neil996R]

Yes it has Ohlins, yes it has lighter rims, and yes it has a few other bits 'n pieces, but my personal feeling is that most of riders are not going to be able to ride any quicker or better on an 1098S than they would on the standard bike.

So from that perspective it makes little sense. But an S is an S is an S - and a standard bike is a standard bike is a .......

It comes down to were your personal values lie ... choose whichever one you are going to feel better off with, and if that means spending the extra to get an S, then do just that.

Neil996r

[angie-r]

If you only care about performance, and money is important then:

Buy 1098 base model.

Sell original wheels.
Use the money to buy & install forged aluminum wheels.
Upgrade Suspension Internals.

Same performance as S, save $3500.

[Neil996R]

Its that straightforward is it?

That has to be the way to go ......

[vtst4s]

This probably will be an easy decision for you, the way i understand it there aren't many if any "S" models around to be had at this point.