2008 Ducati 1098R Review

[Motorcycle.com]

Motorcycle.com reviews the 2008 Ducati 1098R. Be sure to read the article and let us know what you think within this thread.



There's a great opportunity coming to motorcycle riders, collectors or racers in the United States. Relative to the number of bikes landing on American shores each year, very few two-wheeled nuts 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 allowing a limited number of lucky souls 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!

Read More: 2008 Ducati 1098R Review

[R Me]

Thanks for posting the article! As a future owner of the R, more info more info more info.

Dad Dad Dad Dad Dad........

Are we there yet?

[tye1138]

I personally know some people who have actually ridden it, its an awesome bike, but its just a stock 1098S with more power, traction control and a slipper clutch. Everybody thinks the R is the end all solution, but I can guarantee you, for $40k... you can make a stock 1098S perform well beyond what a stock 1098R can do as a package, minus the traction control obviously. I'm still under the belief Ducati will release the DTC for 1098's and 848's very soon.

[John]

Nice review. With a few adjustments the 1098R can reach 189HP. I believe the WSBK 1098Rs are 198HP according to an article in Superbike Planet. Even Hodgson and Bostroms 999Rs were in the 194HP range, even at that they were underpowered against most of the other AMA machines, including what I heard was Mladin's 230HP Suzuki with TC. The above article indicated the Suzuki in WSBK is 210HP, but heavier. It also pointed out the 999R machine was so highly tuned it was good for only 300 miles, that was one of the big reasons Ducati gave FIM for wanting to up the CCs. The current 1098R WSBK has a moderate tune carrying extra weight and air restrictors. In theory it should be more reliable and durable. Unlike the early 2000s machines that blew up with regularity.

I thought the WSBK machines would be in the 210HP - 220HP range. They are not much more than the street 1098R. I think in this case homologation really means something.

[R Me]

Originally Posted by tye1138

I personally know some people who have actually ridden it, its an awesome bike, but its just a stock 1098S with more power, traction control and a slipper clutch. Everybody thinks the R is the end all solution, but I can guarantee you, for $40k... you can make a stock 1098S perform well beyond what a stock 1098R can do as a package, minus the traction control obviously. I'm still under the belief Ducati will release the DTC for 1098's and 848's very soon.

With all due respect, you can't do the performance upgrades to a 1098S to make it rival a 1098R for less than 40K....and even after you spent more to accomplish your goal and you achieved that power, you still wouldn't have a Limited Release Superbike with pedigree. What you would have is a heavily mod'ed 1098 (which will decrease its' value), whereas the R...well, it will be an "R".


Here are the differences, let me know how you'd do it....and don't forget, if they do offer TC as an aftermarket add on to the 1098's and 848's...it wont be for free.



Here's a list of all that I've been able to compile noting differences in the 1098S Compared to the 1098R

1099cc vs 1198.4cc
90.4 ft/lbs vs 99.1 ft/lbs torque
160hp vs 186 hp (this number is considered low)


Crankcase and Cylinder Heads

Die Cast vs Sand Cast
Steel Valves vs Titanium Valves
42mm Intake valve vs 44.3 on the R
34mm Exhaust Valve vs 36.2 on the R
Steel Con Rods vs Titanium Con Rods
Crank may be Titanium on the R but still trying to verify

12.5:1 compression vs 12.8:1 on the R

Elliptical Throttle Bodies

Diameter equal to 60mm vs Diameter equal to 63.9mm on the R

Gear Box

Dry Clutch vs Dry Slipper on the R
3rd 4th and 6th gear are different
6th is 23/24 on the S vs 22/25 Hi Ratio on the R

Rear Suspension

Ohlins Monoshock vs Ohlins TTXR Monoshock

Rear Subframe

Steel tube setup for Biposto vs Lightweight alum. alloy for rider only

Carbon Fiber

Cam belt covers, Front Fender vs Cam Belt covers Front fender, belly pan, seat unit and under tank side panels.

Exhaust

Stainless with black finish vs Titanium and stainless polished finish

Additionally the R comes with the full Termi Race exhaust with Racing ECU which includes the activation of Ducati Traction Control.

Dry Weight

377 lbs vs 364 lbs for the R

Electronics

The differences between the two bikes is that the R has a few extra capabilities over the S....and these are

Remaining Fuel, An Immobilizer, DDA System Enabled, DTC controls.

Not on this list are many small bits of Titanium fasteners and what not that helped to get this bike to it's fighting weight.

Also not on this list is what will be settled every weekend in WSBK which should also help establish the bike as a "True R"....

[Bravo51]

Originally Posted by John

Nice review. With a few adjustments the 1098R can reach 189HP. I believe the WSBK 1098Rs are 198HP according to an article in Superbike Planet. Even Hodgson and Bostroms 999Rs were in the 194HP range, even at that they were underpowered against most of the other AMA machines, including what I heard was Mladin's 230HP Suzuki with TC. The above article indicated the Suzuki in WSBK is 210HP, but heavier. It also pointed out the 999R machine was so highly tuned it was good for only 300 miles, that was one of the big reasons Ducati gave FIM for wanting to up the CCs. The current 1098R WSBK has a moderate tune carrying extra weight and air restrictors. In theory it should be more reliable and durable. Unlike the early 2000s machines that blew up with regularity.

I thought the WSBK machines would be in the 210HP - 220HP range. They are not much more than the street 1098R. I think in this case homologation really means something.

The AMAs bikes are more powerful? Weird because tracks don't seem to be as good as most of the WSBK's.

Neat read, thanks for the article.

[Nighttrain101]

Originally Posted by John

Nice review. With a few adjustments the 1098R can reach 189HP. I believe the WSBK 1098Rs are 198HP according to an article in Superbike Planet. Even Hodgson and Bostroms 999Rs were in the 194HP range, even at that they were underpowered against most of the other AMA machines, including what I heard was Mladin's 230HP Suzuki with TC. The above article indicated the Suzuki in WSBK is 210HP, but heavier. It also pointed out the 999R machine was so highly tuned it was good for only 300 miles, that was one of the big reasons Ducati gave FIM for wanting to up the CCs. The current 1098R WSBK has a moderate tune carrying extra weight and air restrictors. In theory it should be more reliable and durable. Unlike the early 2000s machines that blew up with regularity.

I thought the WSBK machines would be in the 210HP - 220HP range. They are not much more than the street 1098R. I think in this case homologation really means something.

john,

You said little tweks to get it to 189 hp how about this just add the full termi system for 189hp..... On DNA web site it claims 186 with the full sysytem... ANd on Ducati.com they claim 186 with the slip-on... So you do the math.. We all know that when you add a slip on you get a few extra hp.. But you add a full sysytem to that like 70mm 3-5 hp in not out of the question... So I see this bike as 189-190 hp with THE FULL TERMI SYSTEM

[Nighttrain101]

Originally Posted by tye1138

I personally know some people who have actually ridden it, its an awesome bike, but its just a stock 1098S with more power, traction control and a slipper clutch. Everybody thinks the R is the end all solution, but I can guarantee you, for $40k... you can make a stock 1098S perform well beyond what a stock 1098R can do as a package, minus the traction control obviously. I'm still under the belief Ducati will release the DTC for 1098's and 848's very soon.

part of you qoute does not make sense... sure if I brought a 20k 1098s and added on 40K worth of parts I'm sure that the bike would be WSBK level... So that would be 60K for a bike when all said done.. Might as well get you a Desmo that has 200hp..

This bike is night and day from the 1098s... Looks may be the same but the internal heart is WAAAAAAAAAAY different.......

now as for DTC for your bike that you own, that would be a negative... You will have to buy a whole new bike like the 2009 or 2010 1098s or 848's if you want DTC.. And that is if they offer it.. which I hope they do

[safetyfish]

I really, really, really dislike people who post things like this.

You my fine friend will be the cause of me selling a kidney on the black market......

SF

Originally Posted by R Me

Here's a list of all that I've been able to compile noting differences in the 1098S Compared to the 1098R

1099cc vs 1198.4cc
90.4 ft/lbs vs 99.1 ft/lbs torque
160hp vs 186 hp (this number is considered low)


Crankcase and Cylinder Heads

Die Cast vs Sand Cast
Steel Valves vs Titanium Valves
42mm Intake valve vs 44.3 on the R
34mm Exhaust Valve vs 36.2 on the R
Steel Con Rods vs Titanium Con Rods
Crank may be Titanium on the R but still trying to verify

12.5:1 compression vs 12.8:1 on the R

Elliptical Throttle Bodies

Diameter equal to 60mm vs Diameter equal to 63.9mm on the R

Gear Box

Dry Clutch vs Dry Slipper on the R
3rd 4th and 6th gear are different
6th is 23/24 on the S vs 22/25 Hi Ratio on the R

Rear Suspension

Ohlins Monoshock vs Ohlins TTXR Monoshock

Rear Subframe

Steel tube setup for Biposto vs Lightweight alum. alloy for rider only

Carbon Fiber

Cam belt covers, Front Fender vs Cam Belt covers Front fender, belly pan, seat unit and under tank side panels.

Exhaust

Stainless with black finish vs Titanium and stainless polished finish

Additionally the R comes with the full Termi Race exhaust with Racing ECU which includes the activation of Ducati Traction Control.

Dry Weight

377 lbs vs 364 lbs for the R

Electronics

The differences between the two bikes is that the R has a few extra capabilities over the S....and these are

Remaining Fuel, An Immobilizer, DDA System Enabled, DTC controls.

Not on this list are many small bits of Titanium fasteners and what not that helped to get this bike to it's fighting weight.

Also not on this list is what will be settled every weekend in WSBK which should also help establish the bike as a "True R"....

[R Me]

Originally Posted by safetyfish

I really, really, really dislike people who post things like this.

You my fine friend will be the cause of me selling a kidney on the black market......

SF