Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 1198 / 1098 / 848 > Its Growing on Me

[Dave G]

I think the 1098 is a real missed opportunity.Its nice enough I suppose, but you know companies are struggling when they try and backtrack their designs because of public criticism rather than create new designs.
It was a brave move by Ducati to replace the 916 with something that was radically different,and it seems the main reason it was not well received was that it wasn't the 916.Ducati were in a no win situation and would have been lambasted for resting on their laurels by keeping the 916 shape and were lambasted for replacing it.
The 999 isn't perfect but its unique and has got some great ideas about it,it would have been a better, braver thing to do to develop this idea rather than an italian fireblade/R1 clone.
I hope the 1098 is a success for Ducati,but what'll happen if it isnt?,will they release a 'classic' 916 range. Its an admission of defeat designwise,where does it go from here?

[VanDaMauler]

Originally Posted by Dave G

Its an admission of defeat designwise,where does it go from here?

I think Ducati will sell a few 1098`s and clean up in WSB/BSB and maybe AMA!!! when they start racing it, then all the Jap factories will start shouting about the extra 100-200cc`s.

[wato39]

Hi, here's my take on the new model , i think that this is a lovely bike, but i think its the bike that should have replaced the 748/998 three or so years ago (sorry 749/999 owners) and when it was time for a new model after that the designers could have really gone to town and given us something really specatular this time .

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by VanDaMauler

I think Ducati will sell a few 1098`s and clean up in WSB/BSB and maybe AMA!!! when they start racing it, then all the Jap factories will start shouting about the extra 100-200cc`s.

Its about aesthetics,performance is a seperate issue and Ducati have never had a problem with that.

[ratboy]

I agree, but Ducati need to sell road bikes in order (I presume) to help fund the track - surely bike evolution can only go at a certain, albeit slightly unknown commercial, pace? So, in creating an iconic superbike (take your pick) and then a less popular version (take your pick!) (supposedly) they have to try and harmonise what they would like to do, versus what the rest are doing, versus what they can do so that we continue to buy into wanting one.

For a less 'mass' manufacturer like Ducati, this must be a difficult balance.

Phew, can't even think if that reads right, off to lie down :0

[Sharpy G]

who said it was like an R1 ?

speed blocks ? on a Ducati ??

that aside....I like it I do...........needs more carbon tho'

Sharpy (carbon *****)

[flyingbanana]

I think in all honesty the look of the bike will become less important when people start to test ride it. Yes it is an 'evolution of the 916' which is no bad thing, yes it looks nothing like a 749r which for me is how the 999 should have looked in the first place, but if we want to keep buying ducati's then the company needs to be selling bikes and they reckon this look will so let's hope it does. When the sbk bike arrives it will have moved on again design wise after a year of sales just like the 999 did and the 916 before it and we will all be wanting one. I just have a feeling the engine is going to wipe the floor with competition 'twins' let alone the inline fours. Having owned a ZX10 and a 853sps I know which was easier to ride and potentially faster so add another 40bhp to the duke '160hp' probably a rear wheel 150, up the torque in the mid to high rpm which is where the 'old' twins lost out to the R1's and gixers and we all better hope we are good enough riders to use the thing, It's going to be awesome.....Imagine a 996sps with less weight and nearly 20 more horses wow.....
I won't be buying one though. As alot of us have pointed out, ducati have shot themselves in the foot so many times with their 'exclusive' pricing I would have thought they would have learned by now. Why they can't keep the price to say £10'700 and just charge more for the accessories that everyone will be buying because they want their bike to look and sound like troy's seems like a missed oppertunity to me. And I say all this impartially as I now own a BMW K1200R. Which is really my point, ride it first stare at it later, it will grow on you, and be happy it doesn't look like a teapot and go like a mobility buggy : )

[Sharpy G]

Originally Posted by flyingbanana

yes it looks nothing like a 749r which for me is how the 999 should have looked in the first place

well said that man

[breakout]

I think you are right, what suprises me is the short memories people have regarding the introduction of the 999;- this bike should have come after the 998, and it would have been accepted, but now many people (I suspect owners) are defending the soon to be pig ugly 999 to the detriment of the 1098:-

Originally Posted by breakout
The 999 is dead long live the king, I agree this bike (1098) is as beautiful as the 999 is ugly.
The new bike has element in its design aesthetics of F4 MV (front fairing line viewed from the side and the swingarm) and the 916/998 series. the 999 has too many flat lines and side profile photos show the tank top seat and belly pan lines to be parrallel to each other and the ground, the 999 looks to be NOT dynamic (stationary;- not moving, dead) in photos.
The new 1098 will be loved by those that know (Ducati Enthusiasts) as the design is a natural design evolution of the 998R;- the 998R looks to be in motion even in still photos because of the lines running from low at the front to high at the back (just like jap bikes as copied from the 1993 916. Terre Blanche stopped me buying a 999r they are too ugly, sure if you try to like them, their appearence grows on you (slightly) but a 916 was born to complementary critical aclaim, it was "right" first time seen and will be 'right' in 50yrs time just like old classic cars look beautiful even now! BUT A 999 IS NOW GOING TO LOOK UGLY (even a R1 makes their design aesthetic look messy (silly side straiks,excessively busy nose cone, rediculous enormous aerodynamic side stand) I believe Teerre Blanche worked for Japan inc and was paid to bust Ducati; he needs to get a job at yamaha and mess their bikes up. I will say what I have seen is better looking than a 916, I wont even tell you how it stacks up against the 999, but will say the Factory has listened to the ducatasti, and now the king lives and ducati will not die (go broke) bloody brillant, and I will buy up the soon to be cheap 999s and throw the bodywork and keep the engines as spare for my 998R/996Rs. Ducati had to get rid of the last 998s to even start selling the 999 and then went into a worldwide sales slump; Duacti will dump the last 999 because they know when the 1098 hit the shops the 999 are going to be hard to give away, I am sorry for the 999 owners but this will be good for ducati and me; I will buy the R version when they are available, these bikes have a better aesthetic than even a desmodici they look more agressive the desmodici is too rounded doesnt look agressive looks slightly feminine like a triumph 955, I will buy this bike in preference to a desmodici. Breakout