MCN probably doesn't know that there's a difference...

Damn......& I thought they were the font of all knowledge n all

They should have put a 916/998 swing arm on it, not that MV style abortion.

Apart from that it looks rather nice methinks!

It needs the extra bracing to reduce flex caused by 160bhp being fed to the rear wheel

That 160 needs to be along with a 15kgs weight loss to keeps up with a jap litre
160 bhp , gives what at wheel , 140ish so needs to be 180kg wet min to really compete that is if Ducati are trying to compete on the road

No mention of weight so far other than a quote somewhere saying " weight savings "cant remember where though


And 12 grand !!! "Are you having a laugh " that will be my order out the window no way am i paying that


Only my thoughts ;)

Well what can I say?

The bike in MCN (if indeed it is the final version, I honestly don't know) is absolutely stunning.

To me this bike has addressed exactly what a huge number of customers have been asking for in spectacular style.

If you ingore the styling for a few moments, the power and performance figures are absolutely fantastic. I have also been told direct from the factory that the torque and power delivery from the new engine is truly jaw-dropping.

As to the styling, in my opinion, the bike pictured is a direct evolution of the iconic 916 style. The pictures in MCN are far more revealing in terms of angles and objective than anything we have been able to see so far.
If you take a picture of a 916 and put it next to the 1098 (as I have done for some time this morning) you can see the obvious transition from one design to the next.

I have also seen some suggestions that it is too Japanese. I can see how some may feel that considering the 999 was so unique. BUT if you cast your mind back to bikes of the mid 90s, slab sided with either round or square lights the "fox eyes" of the 916 were a very new approach and arguably some other manufacturers followed suit and developed them until what they are now. To me the 1098 is an evolution of that design. And it is VERY Ducati, those headlights are straight off of the Desmosedici - a lineage and relationship very few bikes will ever be able to hail as having.

The 999 is an awesome machine, both to look at and ride but we are all aware it hasn't quite stolen the hearts of the mass buying public. The factory have obviously been aware of that and have resolved those issues. If you read back to any of the original (or even latest) criticisms of the 999, every one has been addressed in this new design, bar none.

I'm really excited about this design, it's stunning from every angle. In the same breath i'm really sorry to see the 999 go as it is beautiful in its own right. I'm glad to know there are still fans of that design as it will help residuals and support that bike for many years to come.

Irrespective of the gorgeous looks, the power of a 1000cc inline 4, with the torque of a twin and the handling of a Ducati - I mean what else can we wish for?

Just my opinion

Spot on Ron!!!!

best laugh I've had all day, Van you do realise that Terbelanche actually did most of the work on the 916 don't you? and if you read any of Ducati's history you'll see that Tamborini did take most of the credit, and how could say the Supermono is ugly... you didn't but Terberlanche did design that too or did you forget that LOL!! And if you recall Ducati started quoting dry weight and HP at the crank not the wheel from 05 onwards to be in line with the Japs

Laugh away...:lol:

I didn`t even mention the supermono...

I said the Multiturda,the whole of the sport classic range and 999 were pig ugly, while we`re at at it, lets chuck that MH900e on the Ugly pile too...

They'll be the lights Ducati nicked from the Honda NR750 then?


I'd wait for proven weight and power figures and a review of the handling before I'd be that bold. The critics also reckon the 999 wasn't as iconic or beautiful as the 916. The 1098 is worse on that score - it won't be as iconic as it doesn't tread new ground and I'd say it was a fair bit uglier than a 916...