Standard on all 1098 versions is a tubular trellis frame, optimized for stiffness, and massive, radially mounted 4-piston 330 mm Brembo monobloc front brakes (think dinner plates-large ones). Out back, 245 mm, 2-piston brakes take care of business. And yes see there –another throwback to the 916. Peek under the fairing and you’ll find an L-twin engine, producing a thunderous 160bhp (the top-spec 1098R makes 180 bhp- from a twin) and a frankly insane 12.49 kgm of torque with designed auto parts. On a bike that weighs a shade over 171 kg, these are figures that you ignore at your own peril. Laying the power down is a six-speed gearbox with a dry clutch (this particular bike had an aftermarket see through clutch casing- very cool). There’s an ambient temperature indicator too, and when you start the bike up, the dash says ‘SBK 1098’; a pointer to Ducati’s racing success. An underseat 2-1-2 exhaust system flings all the hot stuff out through twin stainless steel cans, in this case a set of aftermarket Arrow unit.
It doesn’t simply grab your attention; it deals you a swift blow to the jaw could claims some track experience as well, but the comparison ended with a screech right there. The Ducati 1098S is not a 150-odd cc, 15-odd bhp, beginner-friendly motorcycle- it’s a deadly weapon. It’s also the lightest, most powerful twin-cylinder superbike yet made, with the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any production superbike thus far. These are facts to be weighed carefully before answering any queries about your riding ability. Ducati have thankfully listened to criticism of the controversial 999 and gone back to the classic 916 for inspiration, which is a very good thing. The subcutaneous layer is even more exotic, if you can believe it. This is the S version of the 1098, and as such it gets some goodies that aren’t present on the bare-basic 1098. Forged, machined Marchesini wheels with red pinstripes are probably the first visual indicators, and they help shave 2 kg off bike’s overall weight. Get your favorite
Ducati decides to go to overkill for those who are not easily satisfied with just a monster bike. For those of whom the Ducati Monster S4 with its 916 engine is not bike enough, there is now the S4 R. This is powered by the engine of the 996 which develops 113bhp. Intended for those not happy with the S4, Ducati has given the bike the full-treatment- high double exhaust pipes, higher foot rests and new single swing arm. Also there are nice effects like carbon-fiber on the front mudguard, the side covers, and the cooler cover as well as on the chain cover. Blue-white paint job, which gives the bike quite an aggressive, Macho look. The S4 R is also available in red, yellow, black, metallic grey as well as an orange and black combination.
Ducati couldn’t have chosen a better time to launch its Desmosedici RR, the road version of 990 cc GP6 MotoGP bike. The massive valves-all sixteen of them- are controlled desmodromically rather than by springs. The crankpins are staggered 70 degrees apart, giving firing intervals that produces what Ducati calls a Twin Pulse firing order. This gives the best balance between drive and traction. The wide, shallow pistons have two compression rings instead of the GP6’s single ring, but are identical in every other respect. The connecting rods and valves are titanium, and a Magneti Marelli ECU controls the ignition and fuelling. Although it doesn’t features the traction control or the ride-by-wire of the MotoGP bike, the technology on the tap is enough to produce 195 bhp or more than 200 bhp when equipped with the race exhaust supplied with the bike.
The Ducati 1098 R is one of the most advanced and most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycles ever built. It has the highest torque-to-weight ratio in the sport bike category. The 1098 R engine represents the finest twin-cylinder technology in the world. It produces 180hp at 9,750rpm and 99.1 lb-ft of brute torque at 7,750rpm in standard mode and an astonishing 186hp.

Its healthy complete and uses some of the best quality components fitted to a naked bike. It’s the pimp daddy of nude bikes with fabric that wouldn’t look out of position coming out of a BSB enclosure. Lashings of carbon fiber, Ohlin’s suspension, Marchesini wheels, full race-spec Brembo brakes and that profound red paint all seem similar to a bike that will last the space. What we’re not so convinced about is the incomplete look with pipes and wires sticking out and it looks like it could be a frightening to spotless.