ENGINE
High-effieciency cooling
Its race-developed fairing design ensures perfect integration with the cooling system by providing efficient flow through the advanced, large surface area coolant radiator, which is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies and oil coolers.
Crankshaft
The 1198.4 capacity is achieved using exactly the same 106mm x 67.9mm bore and stroke as the factory race bike.
Exhaust system
Incredibly lightweight, the exhaust system has been engineered with a power-increasing symmetrical 2-1-2 layout that uses 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with a wall thickness of 0.8mm (.030in). It is equipped with a catalytic converter and two lambda probes for optimum engine mapping and Euro3 conformity. The system terminates with our trademark twin under-seat silencers, delivering that unmistakable signature sound of the big bore Desmo 90° L-Twin.
DesmodromicsThe incredible valve performances of our engines are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati power unit including our world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP engines.
1198 Testastretta Evoluzione
The Testastretta Evoluzione engine is the crowning glory of our development and the perfection of the L-Twin engine. World Superbike dominance for almost two decades is the result of continual commitment to our twin-cylinder configuration. We now share the reward for that commitment with World Championship-winning technology constantly flowing from the factory race team into our production engines.
Volumetric efficiency through the four valves per cylinder is optimised with valve diameters at 43.5mm for the inlet and 35.5mm for the exhaust
Magnesium alloy covers
The weight-saving cam covers in magnesium-alloy are evident by their gold colour.
Vacural® crankcases
The 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engines are the lightest ever used in Ducati Superbikes, thanks to Vacural® technology, a crankcase vacuum die-cast manufacturing process yielding weight reductions of 3kg (6.5lbs) compared to the 1098 Superbike cases. The process ensures consistent and precise wall thickness and increased strength from absolute material purity.
Elliptical throttle bodies
To keep the highly efficient Testastretta cylinder heads breathing to their full potential, the injection system uses MotoGP-derived elliptical throttle bodies with an equivalent diameter of 63.9mm.
Race-derived detail
The 1198 engines all share the same attention to race-derived details.
Race-designed 1198 pistons have a distinctive double-ribbed undercrown to achieve high strength and reduced friction by using minimal piston wall surface area. Using technology developed for the Desmosedici MotoGP project, the design enables reliable operation of the 106mm diameter pistons when performing at high rpm.
Racing-type rocker arms are 'super-finished' for reduced friction and fatigue at high rpm.
The gearbox's carefully calculated specification allows the use of a high ratio 6th gear, fully enabling the speed increase achieved from additional performance modifications (suggested for track use only). Also with performance in mind and because of its high resistance to fatigue, the gears are machined from the same high-strength steel used in Ducati Corse race applications and are subjected to a shot-peening treatment that further ensures their strength.
CHASSIS
Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm. The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducati's lightest frame solutions ever. Adding style to performance, both colour versions for the 1198 use a racing black frame.
Through decades of racing and development, Ducati has proven that innovative chassis engineering and evolutionary frame advancements win races. The tubular Trellis frame, used on every Ducati motorcycle, is a signature design element.
This unique Ducati frame is light, rigid and beautiful thanks to its ingenious Trellis design and use of high quality ALS 450 tubing. Each tube is mitred and micro-fusion welded in a complex triangulated pattern and our incredibly strong L-Twin engine cases are functional 'stressed members' of the chassis.
Magnesium front sub-frame
Producing a front subframe in magnesium underlines the attention to weight-saving detail in the Ducati Superbike range. Its construction provides secure support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing, and the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall 'feel' and control of the machine.
Superbike aerodynamics
Carefully designed for aerodynamic efficiency and to hug the sleek lines of the chassis, the Superbike bodywork enables the rider to blend effortlessly into the correct riding position.
Its race-developed fairing design ensures perfect integration with the cooling system by providing efficient flow through the advanced, large surface area coolant radiator, which is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies and oil coolers. Aerodynamically shaped air ducts positioned just below the headlamps are precisely calculated to provide ample air delivery to the pressurised airbox.
The lightweight bodywork contributes considerably to overall performance by reducing weight, protecting the Testastretta Evoluzione engine's power output, and assisting the rider to effortlessly 'tuck in' from the wind stream and reduce drag to achieve maximum straight-line track speeds.
Lightweight 10-spoke wheels
The lightweight front wheels used on all Ducati Superbike models substantially reduces the moment of inertia, enabling a faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. The construction of the rear wheels is equally as impressive with considerable weight savings over traditional Ducati single-sided swingarm applications, enabling maximum performance gains.
The 1198 rides on 10-spoke wheels by Enkei which are finished in a subtle graphite grey, and are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC at 120/70 ZR17 for the front and 190/55 ZR17 for the rear. These tyres have shoulder areas that maximize the contact patch and carcasses specially designed for stiffness under heavy braking and precision during high speed cornering. This precision in tyre construction enabled Ducati technicians to create extremely fine programs for the Ducati Traction Controls systems used on the bike.
Brembo Monobloc brakes
Machined from a single piece of alloy, Brembo's powerful Monobloc callipers achieve a higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking. The resulting increase in hydraulic efficiency not only delivers incredible braking power, but also provides an enhanced and precise 'feel' at the brake lever. The twin Monobloc callipers each have four 34mm pistons that grip huge 330mm discs to help achieve spectacular brake performance. The weight of the discs has been kept to a minimum by employing racing-style narrow braking surfaces.
Showa forks
The 1198 features fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders.
Single-sided swingarm
The dual construction technique used for the single-sided swingarm allows the main operational components to use individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, while lightweight, fabricated aluminium sections are used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component. The swingarm is colour finished in black.
Showa rear suspension
The 1198 uses a fully adjustable Showa single shock in the rear. An adjustable rear ride-height, independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings, enables the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.
Chassis
FRAME
Tubular steel Trellis frame in ALS 450
WHEELBASE
1430mm (56.3in)
RAKE
24.5°
FRONT SUSPENSION
Showa 43mm with TiO fully adjustable usd forks
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL
127mm (5in)
FRONT WHEEL
10-spoke in light alloy 3.50 x 17
FRONT TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17
REAR SUSPENSION
Progressive linkage with fully adjustable Showa monoshock. Aluminium single-sided swingarm
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL
127mm (5in)
REAR WHEEL
10-spoke light alloy 6.00 x 17
REAR TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 190/55 ZR17
FRONT BRAKE
2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers 4-piston, 2-pad.
REAR BRAKE
245mm disc, 2-piston calliper
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
15.5l - 4.1 gallon (US)
DRY WEIGHT
171kg (377lb)
INSTRUMENTS
Digital MotoGP derived unit with displays for: Speed, rev counter, lap times, time, air temp, coolant temp, battery voltage, A & B trips, fuel reserve trip, scheduled maintenance. Warning lights for: Neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure, fuel reserve. Plus: Integrated immobilizer system
WARRANTY
2 years unlimited mileage
BODY COLOUR (FRAME/WHEEL)
Red (racing black / graphite gray)
VERSIONS
Dual seat
SEAT HEIGHT
820mm (32.2in)
DDA
DDA
Standard equipment
DTC
DTC
Standard equipment
ABS
ABS
Not available on this model
Engine
TYPE
L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
DISPLACEMENT
1198.4cc
BORE X STROKE
106x67.9mm
COMPRESSION RATIO
12.7:1
POWER
170hp (125kw) @ 9750rpm
TORQUE
97lb-ft 131.4Nm @ 8000rpm
FUEL INJECTION
Marelli electronic fuel injection, elliptical throttle bodies
EXHAUST
Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter and 2 lambda probes. Twin stainless steel mufflers
Transmission
GEARBOX
6 speed
RATIO
1=37/15 2=30/17 3=27/20 4=24/22 5=23/24 6=22/25
PRIMARY DRIVE
Straight cut gears, Ratio 1.84:1
FINAL DRIVE
Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 38
CLUTCH
Dry multiplate with hydraulic control
Emissions
STANDARD
follows the US Federal Regulation
