| | | | Track Test: 2008 Ducati 1098R: Ducati launches the R of R’s! |  Written: 20/02/2008 : 11:26. Read 5712 times (72/day). | | The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members. | Ducati have waited one full year to be allowed to present us with this R of R’s. That’s the time it took to get the World Superbike regulations changed from litre twins to a full 1200cc. The Ducati 1098R is in fact a 1200 and to control all that mammoth torque Ducati have treated us to the world’s first production adjustable traction control.
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For a simple man like me, DTC means nothing. So for the good of everyone, we assigned MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams to do the job for us. Even against a slick-shod Michel Fabrizio, who now rides for the Xerox Ducati team alongside Troy Bayliss in 08, McWill showed his competitive spirit and left everyone for dead at Jerez. And that was on standard Pirelli Corsa Pro’s mind… We can’t stop being amazed at the 43 year old from Belfast and here are his impressions:
Ducati introduced the new bike with a laid back informality, we're treated to an informative technical talk from Andrea Forni, and in a way that explains all that needs telling about some of the innovative goodies that Ducati have justifiably added to what is the very top of the 1098 range.
This motor bored and stroked to 1198cc it's roots are pure racing, runs basically the same motor (more similar than any of the R model road bikes have been before), as it's brother in SBK with only minor differences. Crankcases, titanium con-rods and rocker arms are all the same, quality components with finishes such as Deep Gas Nitrated and Super Polish wouldn’t look out of place in the Tate modern. Differences in the race bike only include slightly lighter single ring pistons, flywheel and crankshaft. The compression is up to 12.8 over 12.5, whilst the inlet and exhaust valve size increases by 2+3mm over 1098 respectively. The gearbox internal ratios are different for obvious reasons.
The 1098R has a massive weight saving over it's predecessors, 16kg lighter than 998R and 6kg slimmer than 1098! The motor (2.2kg lighter alone) uses carbon belt covers, sand-cast crankcases and the remainder weight saving over 1098's motor is in the titanium rods, crankshaft and valves. The R uses only a single seat and the majority of weight saving is in the alloy sub frame support used rather than steel and Titanium silencers.
Suspension is top notch Ohlins, the rear using the very latest TTX36 unit. I could blind you with science about this piece of kit but in a ‘large’ nut shell this is current race kit, TT refers to the twin tubes it runs piggy back with compression and ...
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(8 pictures - 1757 words. remaining).
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 Loris-C (19-03-2008): I just can't wait to ride this one
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