Ducati 1198 official pictures

Ducati has just released official pictures of the new 1198, an updated version of the 1098 with the larger capacity engine from the 1098R.

The new motorcycle retains most of the running rear and the styling from the two year-old 1098, but the 1099cc v-twin motor has been replaced with 1199cc Testastretta Evoluzione engine first used in the £24,000 1098R earlier this year.

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The engine is almost identical to the 1098R, though Ducati’s claim of 170bhp is 10bhp less than the 1098R. Torque is up by 7lb-ft to a claimed 97lb-ft. The bigger bore, longer stroke engine (106mm x 67.9mm compared to the 1098’s 104mm x64.7mm) has larger valves than the 1098, as well as bigger throttle bodies from the 1098R.

The 1098R’s gearbox ratios and shot-peened high strength gearbox internals are also used to match the increase power.

Overall engine weight has been reduced by 3kg thanks to a switch to Vacuum Die-Casting production method for the crankcases, which allows precise control over material thickness and increases strength too.

Traction control is now standard with no need to fit a race kit as 1098R owners have to. The 1198S also gets a set of new seven-spoke forged aluminium Marchesini wheels, and the standard 1198 has a new design of ten-spoke alloy rims from the same manufacturer.

Claimed dry weight has dropped by 2kg to 171kg thanks to the lighter engine. Bodywork, suspension, brakes and the rest of the chassis is unchanged from the 1098.