'S' Performance

Producing 170hp (125kW) and with a dry weight of just 169kg (372.6lb), the new 1198 S now incorporates more World Superbike technology than ever before by taking the 1198 motor and adding top-of-the-range suspension, lightweight chassis components and a true racing-style traction control system designed for road use.

The high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Ohlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Ohlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tyre-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control. The suspension set-up at the rear is complemented with a fully adjustable Ohlins rear shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive and traction. The front-to-rear Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.

The 'S' sets the standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its 'unsprung weight'. These are components like tyres, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower 'moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1198 S addresses this important area by mounting new 7-spoke GP replica Marchesini forged and machined wheels. Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.

The 1198 S is supplied with the Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from your previous track session or road trip. DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction.

The new 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engine

The Testastretta Evoluzione engine is the crowning glory of Ducati's development and perfection of the L-Twin engine. World Superbike dominance for almost two decades is the result of continual commitment to their twin-cylinder configuration. Ducati now share the reward for that commitment as World Championship-winning technologies flow from the factory race team into production engines.

The incredible 1198 and 1198 S are powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 170hp (125kW) @ 9,750rpm and a class-beating 97lb-ft (13.4kgm) of torque @ 8,000rpm.

The 1198 achieves its new capacity by using exactly the same 106x67.9 bore and stroke as the factory race bike. Volumetric efficiency through the four valves per cylinder has been enhanced by increasing the valve diameters approximately 4% to 43.5mm for the inlet and 35.5mm for the exhaust. They are actuated by racing-type rocker arms, 'super-finished' for reduced friction and fatigue, and double overhead camshafts with radical profiles that achieve approximately 10% more lift than their predecessors.

These incredible valve performances 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 motorcycle including their world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP bikes.

With increased capacity and improved volumetric efficiency, the elliptical throttle bodies have also increased in cross-sectional area by 13.3% compared to the 1098. Now boasting a size equivalent to 63.9mm diameter, the inlet body is exactly the same as the 'R' model.

The 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.

The 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engines are the lightest ever used in Ducati Superbikes, thanks to a new crankcase manufacturing technology which reduces weight by an incredible 3kg (6.5lbs). The vacuum die-cast process ensures consistent and precise wall thickness and increased strength from absolute material purity. The weight-saving cam covers in magnesium-alloy are evident by their gold colour, while the alloy outer clutch and generator covers now sport a black finish.

In line with the increased power and torque output, the 1198 gearbox introduces 'R' model internal ratios. The new 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 and reduced fatigue.

The 1198 and 1198 S feature a beautiful and efficient exhaust system. Incredibly lightweight, it 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 smooth engine mapping and Euro3 conformity. The system terminates with Ducati's trademark twin under-seat silencers, delivering that unmistakable signature sound of the big bore Desmo 90° L-Twin.

Traction control

For the first time ever on a Ducati production motorcycle, a true competition-level traction control system for the road comes integrated into the 1198 S and 1098 R electronics as standard equipment. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system further underlines Ducati's technology flow from racing to production and demonstrates how solutions developed for the track can be applied to enhance safety on the road.

DTC uses the same software logic developed and used by Ducati Corse for their world championship winning MotoGP and World Superbike motorcycles and offers a choice of eight settings developed by their professional test riders and racers.

Accessible from the left-hand switchgear and displayed on the digital instrumentation, the system offers a choice of eight profiles. Each one has been programmed with a wheel-spin tolerance matched to progressive riding levels of skill graded from one to eight. While level eight administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest amount of wheel-spin, level one offers a much higher tolerance and so much less intervention for highly competent riders. When the level is selected and DTC activated, the level is displayed on the instrumentation.

When the profile that best suits the combination of road or track conditions and riding style has been selected and the DTC system activated, front and rear wheel sensors compare speed differential to sense when rear traction is being broken (wheel-spin). High speed software then makes instant electronic adjustment to the fuel injection, taking immediate control over power output so as to restore traction at the rear wheel. A warning light is displayed during DTC interaction. As soon as the system recognises the return of equal wheel speeds, it re-establishes normal power delivery. In this way, DTC provides a considerable increase in safety during mid-corner acceleration.

The DTC system is supplied as standard equipment on the 1198 S and 1098 R models.