1st legitimate picture of 1098
 

Nothing here to see...move along. Well not yet anyway, but apparently according to a member on a US forum, there are some forthcoming photos of the 1098 due out in the next couple of days which given the proximity to the official release, ought to be more representative of it's final form. Well I hope so anyway. Will post something up, unless someone does so before me.

Legitimate picture?!
 

OK freely admit I took this straight off the US Ducati forum but the guy that posted it said he worked for the only US firm handling market analysis for Ducati Motor Holding Group and this document was intended for investors (potential or otherwise). Seems to bear a resemblance to the spy shots we have seen, though sadly it's a very teasing view of what is too come.

This is what the guy who posted the image has to say:

"This image of the new superbike has been extracted from Ducati's current PowerPoint presentation for investors, pertaining to their current relaunch strategy. If you don't believe me, you can go to the Borse and download it for yourself from Italy's equivalent of the SEC. It's on page 16, after the RR and Hypermotard, and will most likely be an early '08 model. The SEC has a version of their relaunch strategy on file, but it does not include of the Euro PP.

The silhouette clearly shows a tail that is very reminiscent of the 916-998 and a nose that appears to be very close to that of the sedici RR. If all of that's true, this thing will be a real stunner!

I know this because I'm an independent analyst for the only U.S. firm covering DMH."

He then goes on to say in a later post:

"You think it's the sport? It could be the sport, but if you read between the lines, they might discontinue the SS line altogether. They're phasing out the monster and planning on having just the 695 eventually, if I recall correctly. It's a weird shift. I don't know if it's going to work for them. They want to significantly reduce the number and lines of different motorcycles, so do the maths. The Sport Classic just came out last year, so that's "in". Although sales have slumped significantly (like, -73% y/y significantly!) for the Multistrada, they just gave it an early release with the new motor, but I think that might be a test. If the early availability of the new motor doesn't spur sales, I've got to believe the Multi will have "an uncertain future". The Superbike is iconic, so it's not going anywhere. And we know about the Hypermotard and Desmosedici RR. Superpsort sales actually perked up a bit recently, I think I saw. But, they've dwindled. A new one with more aggressive styling with the new motor would be cool, but would it sell? Especially if the new SB turns out to be gorgeous, which I suspect it has to.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure that silhouette's the new SB. It's clearly got the 916's tale!"

Make of this what you will. As far as OFFICIAL pictures of the bike are concerned, nothing will be available until the 11th November at the earliest I am led to beleive, which is still three days before the public unveiling!

Oh well just have to wait another month. I spend at least an hour a day trawling sites looking of the latest on the 1098. God Ducati have done well at keeping the actual bike under wraps.

It's driving me crazy. Interesting that the site you found this on state "relaunch" rather than new model. Think the 1098 will be more 916/999/998 than 999. Not sure a backwards step is the way forward though.

I love the 851 / 888 / 916 / 996 / 998 / 999 and can't wait to see the new bike

Looks good in Red doesn't it!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hope the price is equally as attractive. Figures being banded around suggest £11995 for the base model, which is a lot more expensive than the US market which is quoting $25K for the TriColore and only $20K for the "S" model which works out at £10778.00 for the latter. Why the huge gulf in prices. I might take this up with Ducati UK once the pricing structure is announced for both US and UK markets. The base model in the US is set to be around $15K which is £8083.00. How on earth can it be SO much cheaper than the £12000 we are expected to pay for it here. That's almost £4000 more for the same machine and given the shipping costs to the US, how do they justify the increase, when most European machines are transported by road throughout Europe to dealers. Air freight is a costly business, so someone somewhere is coining it.

I find it amazing that if any pictures are about anywhere, that no one has snapped away with their mobile. ;)
They are doing a great job at keeping it away from the publics prying gaze.:(

Plenty of folks have taken pictures, but they've been persuaded to keep them private ... they were made an offer they couldn't refuse.

:lol:

Still surprized none on the net.:eek:

It wouldn't surprise me to find that the "prototype" pics we've seen so far are all red herrings. (It wouldn't disappoint me either, to be honest, but there you go.)

Perhaps Ducati have taken truly effective steps to keep the new bike completely under wraps, as part of their marketing strategy ... whereas previously, manufacturers have allowed sneak previews as an integral part of the strategy. Whetting the public's appetite, so to speak.