The Ducati 'Tricolore' tradition began in 1985 with the stunning 750 F1 and then continued with the limited edition 851. The latest 'Tricolore' is a 1098 S with the additional features of frame and wheels finished in traditional 'racing gold' colours. In addition, a power-increasing 102 dB Termignoni racing muffler kit with dedicated ECU is supplied with the bike.
Suspension is of the very highest performance standard. The ‘S’ also sets a new standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its “unsprung weight”. The 1098 S is also supplied with the Ducati Data Analyzer system as standard equipment.
A CELEBRATION OF ITALIAN STYLE
The 1098 S is available in an additional special 'Tricolore' version (red, white and green, the colours of the Italian national flag). The Ducati 'Tricolore' tradition began in 1985 with the stunning 750 F1 and then continued with the limited edition 851. The latest 'Tricolore' is a 1098 S with the additional features of frame and wheels finished in traditional 'racing gold' colours. In addition, a power-increasing 102 dB Termignoni racing muffler kit with dedicated ECU is supplied with the bike.
Suspension is of the very highest performance standard. The fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins FG511 forks, which sport low friction Titanium Nitride fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tyre-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control. The suspension system is completed and perfectly balanced by using a fully adjustable Öhlins 46PRC rear shock with a ride enhancing top-out spring, controlling the single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive, traction and steering precision. The Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.
The ‘S' also sets a new standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its “unsprung weight”. These are components like tyres, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower ‘moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1098 addresses this important area by mounting Marchesini forged and machined wheels, reducing weight by 1.9Kg (4lbs). Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.
The 1098 S is also supplied with the Ducati Data Analyzer system as standard equipment. The DDA package supplied with the ‘S' version enables the retrieval of data and analysis of data collected from your previous track session or road trip. The DDA package includes software for your personal computer on CD, a data retrieval USB key and instructions.
THE NEW TESTASTRETTA EVOLUZIONE ENGINE
The Testastretta Evoluzione engine is the crowning glory of Ducati's development and perfection of the L-Twin engine. World Superbike dominance for the last 15 years is the result of continual commitment to twin-cylinder technology and the 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione, the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine in history, is a fitting reward to our engineers' continued ingenuity.
The 1098 engine is immediately recognisable by its completely new compact cylinders and cylinder heads. Other 1098 innovations and revisions are less obvious as they reside inside the Evoluzione's engine cases, but whether external or internal, every new development was conceived to create a lighter, more efficient, more powerful and ultra-compact engine for the new generation of Ducati Superbikes.
The 1098 capacity is a result of a significant increase in the bore and stroke of the Evoluzione motor. Highly ‘over-square', it now sports a big 104mm bore and a relatively short 64.7mm stroke. To optimise the benefits of the new, big Ducati Twin, the cylinder heads have been completely redesigned and, when combined with advanced MotoGP induction technology, enable even the standard specification 1098 to produce more power than the previous extreme Testastretta ‘R' engine.
The Evoluzione features a reduction in the angle between intake and exhaust valves allowing highly efficient, straight intake ducts and newly shaped combustion chambers that contain racing size ‘R' valves (42mm inlet, 34mm exhaust), operated by radical ‘R' derived camshafts. The new cylinder heads also benefit from fewer components and include magnesium covers to achieve a staggering weight-saving of over 3kg (6.5+lbs).
After optimising the Evoluzione cylinder heads, engineers then focussed upon releasing the potential of the new design by feeding them with MotoGP-derived elliptical throttle bodies. With a 30% increase in air flow over conventional throttle bodies, the new elliptical shape contributes an incredible 5hp increase to the record-breaking motor. 1098 owners will be the first to feel the power of this MotoGP technology on the road.
The Testastretta Evoluzione is the lightest Ducati Superbike engine ever, thanks to close scrutiny of every engine component. A total of 5kg (11.1lbs) has been saved by reducing the weight of many components, including transmission gears and the gear selector drum as well as the oil pump and primary gears.
The Testastretta Evoluzione's increase in power is protected by a highly efficient oil cooler with increased surface area and an advanced coolant radiator assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies. The compact and intricate design of the cooling system integrates perfectly with the 1098's wind-cheating aerodynamics and sleek lines.
Finally, the 1098 is complemented by an all-new exhaust system. Significantly lighter, it has been engineered with a power-increasing symmetrical 2-1-2 layout that uses 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with wall thickness reduced by 30% to 0.8mm (.030in). The system terminates with Ducati's trademark twin under-seat silencers, delivering that unmistakable signature sound of the big bore 90° L-Twin.
CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION
Advanced chassis
The 1098 chassis and suspension have received the same detailed study and performance first priority approach. The goal was to achieve considerable weight saving while building-in strength and rigidity to manage the new high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Each and every component not only contributes to achieving superior road holding and stability, but when assembled, become a system with value far greater than the sum of all its parts.
Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the 1098 Trellis frame has been designed with a simplified tube layout featuring main section tubes increased in diameter from 28mm to 34mm, while being reduced in thickness from 2mm to 1.5mm. The result is a 14% increase in rigidity and a weight saving of 1.5kg (3.3lbs).
Single-sided swingarm
Our engineers were encouraged to re-think the construction technique of the 1098's unique single-sided swingarm. The solution was to produce the main operational components using individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminium sections used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component.
Rear suspension
Highlighting the way in which individual components are influenced by each other, the new lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided swingarm have enabled a more compact and further weight-saving rear suspension linkage system that features separate lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit. This ‘tandem' design effectively reduces stress around the linkage pick-up area of the Trellis frame. Working together with this highly efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Showa single shock for the 1098 and an incredible Öhlins shock for the 1098 S. A vitally important feature of the 1098's rear suspension system is the ability to adjust rear ride height independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings, critical when seeking the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.
Front suspension
The fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks with a special low friction Titanium Oxide-treated sliders on the 1098, and spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction Titanium Nitride sliders on the 1098 S, both feature radial Monobloc caliper mountings. The unique look of these mountings further underlines the no-compromise racing specification of the 1098. Both front suspension solutions are professionally track-tuned and offer superior road holding, deliver superior feedback, and help every rider to be more confident and in control.
BRAKES WHEELS AND BODY
Monobloc calipers
With a Superbike as capable as the 1098, superior stopping power is fundamental. The 1098 is the first production street bike to use Brembo's Monobloc caliper racing technology. The M4-34 calipers are machined from a single piece of alloy, vs. the bolt-together construction of conventional calipers. The Monobloc design has much higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking, and therefore gives a much more precise feel at the brake lever. The 1098 also introduces for the first time on a Ducati, big 330mm discs which, when matched to the Monobloc calipers, achieve spectacular braking power. Despite the larger diameter, their weight has not increased due to the use of racing-style narrow braking surfaces. The use of Monobloc technology combined with the legendary stability of Ducati's Trellis frame and the 1098's overall weight savings has made world championship level brake performance available for the road.
Super lightweight wheels
The weight saving of 250g achieved on the front wheel substantially reduces the moment of inertia and enhances the 1098's change of direction and braking performance. The rear wheel is just as impressive with a complete redesign for its single-sided swingarm application that has resulted in a reduction of over 1kg compared with traditional Ducati single-sided swingarm fitments. Both the 1098 and 1098 S benefit from the lightweight Marchesini Y-shaped spoke wheels, but the ‘S' goes even further by using machine finished forged-aluminium, a special process normally reserved for the production of race wheels. Another first for Ducati is the mounting of 190/55 rear tyres, our widest ever, and the new standard for traction and control.
Magnesium subframe
Exploiting every opportunity to reduce weight where possible, engineers chose to produce the front subframe in magnesium. While its construction ensures secure, rigid support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall ‘feel' and control of the machine.
Aerodynamic bodywork
Carefully designed not only for aerodynamic efficiency but also to hug the sleek lines of the chassis, the 1098 enables the rider to blend effortlessly into the race-oriented riding position. Great care has been taken in the design of the air supply ducts so to ensure efficient air-flow through radiator and oil coolers as well as provide ample air delivery to the airbox feeding the powerful new Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Moulded in lightweight Terblend®, the bodywork's form becomes a considerable contributing factor to the overall performance of the machine by helping reduce weight even further while allowing the rider to effortlessly ‘tuck in' from the wind stream and turbulence to achieve maximum straight-line track speed.
