2009 Ducati 1198 gets bigger engine, more power
Update 2: The Ducati 1198 official images and info have leaked. Click here for the article.A company insider has exclusively revealed to us that Ducati will be upping the 1098's capacity to 1198cc for 2009. In keeping with the 1200cc World Superbike v-twin capacity limit, the Ducati 1098R already displaces 1198cc, so we expect to see a version of its engine used in the 2009 Ducati 1198, but in a lower state of tune and using less exotic parts. An educated guess would put the 1198's power output halfway between the 1098's 160bhp and the 1098R's 180bhp. There's no word on the 1098R's performance-oriented traction control trickling down to lesser models. But that's not all Ducati has in store for 2009.
Update: More information on power, weight and pricing follows the jump.
Our source has just confirmed that the 1198 will have 170bhp. While the base 1198 receives a $500 price bump (to $16,495 in the US), the 1198S will remain the same at $20,995 (US). We've also learned that 1198 will be lighter than the outgoing 1098 and may receive a facelift.
It looks like that $500 price increase will be carried over to most bikes in Ducati's range, including the 848, which receives no other significant changes.
The same source also says to expect two versions of the 2009 Ducati Monster 1100, the regular 1100 and an S with Öhlins suspension. There's also an all-new model that, "is a cross between a Tuono, Brutale and fits between Monster and Hypermotard." It will be powered by the outgoing water-cooled 1099cc engine from the 1098, but with a smaller airbox that means less power and shotgun-style dual exhausts mounted on one side.
Let's see, assuming a 2009 Ducati 1198S will join the non-lettered 1198, that checks five off the list of the 10 new models Ducati says it will unveil by 2010. The capacity increase and name change is in keeping with Ducati's long history of gradual engine updates based on Superbike developments. Think 916, 996, 996R, 998 etc.
We'll have to wait for the 2008 EICMA show in November for official info and images, but we'll see if we can't sneak you some more of both before then.
Wes Siler. September 18, 2008 — Permalink
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Man, am I glad I was waiting till this winter to buy a new Duc.
It's all the same except, I heard the price is going up $1000.00 on the 1198s. Which would make sense.
holy crap, 170hp from a stock twin? whatever they're smoking in Bologna is working!
I can't even imagine what a 170bhp twin feels like, but the idea kind of scares me.
How about some real changes, or are they coming with the remaining 5 out of the 10? We have no touring bike, the MTS is old and needs updating badly. Not everyone wants faster and gas sucking superbikes. I'm evolving from sportbikes to sport tour bikes. How about one that is comfortable with the Testa motor, the 1098 powerplant would work marvelous in this capacity.
I just hosted a Testastretta valve adjustment workshop. Five riders who now have the confidence to do their own valve clearances. Just what the doctor ordered for people who like to ride, I'm guessing the sport tour crowd would eat up valve clearance workshops.
Sincerely,
John Shutz
President
Ducati Owners Group of Sacramento
Those are crank numbers, not "real" rear-wheel dyno numbers. Ducati said the 1098 would make 160 hp. Production bikes barely made 142 rear wheel horsepower in stock trim, and 150 with Termi full systems and a race ECU.
Well John (Shutz), why whine like a baby about the lack of a touring bike? Go get yourself a BMW (or a Honda VFR for that matter) and tour to your hearts content.
"Real" HP, thats rediculous. ALL car and bike manufacturers (did I mention ALL?) use CRANK numbers. WHY? Because there are numerous drivetrain variables not only between models sharing the same motor, but in the case of a car/truck, transmission types, drivetrain differences, etc, ALL impact rear wheel numbers. Therefore, the only CONSTANT tangible numbers they can use are CRANK HP. Crank HP is the actual HP that the motor can output, rear wheel HP is purely a simple and easy way to measure HP, but in no way is "REAL" HP.
That's true, I believe Sport Rider showed that even the tire choice can affect RWHP by 2%.
Anyway, 142 out of 160 is nearly 89% and I typically will estimate 87% to 90% of crank HP for RWHP, so Ducati certainly didn't under-rate the 1098. So I'd expect the 1198 to put down in the neighborhood of 151 RWHP -- and it's going to be a little lighter too. That's a big twin with no high RPM breathing issues at all!
I disagree with you john conforti. Would you rather have the HP number going to the groung or the HP number coming out of the engine? I would rather know what the 'real' HP is by taking out the variables (percentage losses by drivetrain) out of the equation. I like reality unlike the distorted crank HP numbers
On the whole HP issue, I prefer rear wheel numbers myself. Yes, there is variablity from tires, chains, and the like, but there is also variation in air density, dyno's reading hi/low, and on and on. The big difference for me is between crank and wheel is in tuning gains. It's difficult for most people to do any performance work on the bike and compare #'s back to back with a crank number. With a baseline rear wheel, I can change exhaust, cams, intake, airbox volume, internal engine modifcations, (including such things as a lightened flywheel which doesn't actually improve hp, but it shows a gain), and see a direct comparison. Hell if I can get 2% more HP from running a different tire, and I'm interested in drag racing, I might just look at something like that.
I still want a destroked 848 that makes 749cc's, but then I'm just silly like that.
I wonder when the 1198S would be availble for purchase. I am ready to buy a 1098S and now will wait for more news. It would be nice if they could add a slipper clutch also.
Brian: I'd call your dealer, they'll know. And when you find out, send us an email.
nice bike, I just wonder if they worked on the chassis and the worst problem of this bike, i meant the gearbox...when used on track
giggity giggity giggity.........Just put a deposit down on a black 1198S. Word is the S WILL have traction control but that's supposed to be hush hush since it will detract from 2008 1098R sales :D
I was going to buy a 1098, but then I realized their HP numbers were for the crank and not the wheel. I just don't feel that 142 HP is enough for me. Really, I need more. Especially in New York City where I live. I think I am just going to use my Desmosedici a commuter bike. What? What are you people smoking? 142 f*****g HP!!!
TS
i was @ my dlr yesterday & he said they should be arriving around february. he also said that he has seen the new 1098 streetfighter IN PERSON & that it is totally bad a$$. nothing like the ugly photchopped images that are floating around the internet. this 1198 is going to hellawicked. i started to drop the cash on a 1098R earlier this year, but glad i waited! save 20k & just buy the 1198S!
"Real" horsepower or not, that's not much less than the fours are putting out and you have to consider the horsepower and torque curves versus the inlines anyway. Every company's crank horsepower claims are always less than "real" rear wheel horsepower so isn't it more useful to compare crank to crank or rwhp to rwhp? Better yet, power-to-weight and power and torque curves? And isn't this a moot point because 142 at the wheel in a bike that light is more than most riders will ever be able to really use.
John Conforti, if duc made a bike to compare with the vfr or the bmw's then they could make some money in that market.
bmw riders are absurd they all got a few screws loose, look up a iron butt rally and show me someone doing it on a duc . . . .
the 1098 powerplant is proven why not use it in a different platform and make some money?
personally the duc's are way to rich for my blood rather wad up a cbr or a gixxer on the track . . . .
149 bhp from 08 1098 w race pack. tuning was a real bitch. gotta get it nice and hot.
Hello,i am a big fan of ducati bikes having watched them on motor gp.Please i want to ask if you have a manual in form of video clips or books that teaches how to handle your bikes very well in terms of stunts.If you do,please send to this address.
#12 Estate Road,
Woji Town,
PortHarcourt,
Rivers State,
Nigeria.
Thank You