2010 Ducati 1198
Where I live now, pretty much everyone I know that rides a motorcycle rides a Harley. When asked what my dream bike would be, I gladly respond, a Ducati Monster 696.
The origins of the 1198 stem from its predecessor the Ducati 1098 which has been manufactured by the Italian motorcycle company since 2007. The 1198 shares design elements with its predecessor 1098, but the 1198 has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, lighter headlights, traction control and lighter fairing on the S model.
A system inaugurated and made famous on this last mentioned model is the Desmodromic system, also present in Ducati 1198 s engine configuration. This opens and closes the valves mechanically, ensuring great effectiveness at high rpm and so bringing a major contribution to the engine’s impressive performance.
Competing in MotoGP and the World Superbike has made Ducati very perseverant in developing new systems and Ducati had the first ever production motorcycle fitted with a traction control system that was available to the large public last year. The system intervenes mostly during mid-corner acceleration and prevents the rear wheel from sliding. Also, the Ducati Data Analyzer is another justification for the bigger retail prices of the S and Corse models and is optional on the standard model. On the Ducati 1198 it is all about the fully adjustable 43mm upside-down Showa fork with TiO and a progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock as well as stylish light alloy 17-inch 10-spoke wheels. Be it wet or dry, the S and Corse models weigh approximately 5 pounds less than the standard bike.