Ducati 1098 wins “best design of 2006” award

[Bob]

Ducati’s new flagship sportsbike, the 1098, has won the Motorcycle Design Association Best of Class for the Supersport category as well as Overall Best Design for 2006.

This is the second year in a row that Ducati has picked up the main prize, with the 2005 award going to their Hypermotard.

[idleidolidyll]

Ducati’s new flagship sportsbike, the 1098, has won the Motorcycle Design Association Best of Class for the Supersport category as well as Overall Best Design for 2006.

This is the second year in a row that Ducati has picked up the main prize, with the 2005 award going to their Hypermotard.

has Ducati built any hypermotard's yet?
that one is way more interesting and relevant to NZ roads than the 1098

[R6_kid]

that must be because they took all of their design features from existing good looking bikes and moulded it into one expensive italian design.

[bugjuice]

well there's a big surprise

that thing is just sex on one wheel. deserves to win for the next couple of years


btw, i still have a left testie for sale and kidney, very little use and well maintained.. saving for a 1098..

[Paulus]

well there's a big surprise

that thing is just sex on one wheel. deserves to win for the next couple of years


btw, i still have a left testie for sale and kidney, very little use and well maintained.. saving for a 1098..

Am I the only one that thinks it looks just like a Fireblade with a single sided swingarm on it?

[bugjuice]

possibly.. had your eyes checked lately? ;)

[Bob]

Am I the only one that thinks it looks just like a Fireblade with a single sided swingarm on it?

Can't see it myself.

[Paulus]

Can't see it myself.

Hardly the worlds greatest comparison images! There are certainly a lot of design similarities to the Fireblade and I have to say that it just looks plain bland. Sorry but I can't understand what all the excitement is about.

[Bob]

Hardly the worlds greatest comparison images! There are certainly a lot of design similarities to the Fireblade and I have to say that it just looks plain bland. Sorry but I can't understand what all the excitement is about.

Sadly, the one I wanted to use to demonstrate (from the Honda site), can't be used as it is hidden behind some internet-trickery! And that 1098 pic is the only one I've got uploaded where I can get hold of it easily.

Having seen the 1098 in the flesh, I thought it looked good. Much better than the attempts of the last few years. The 916 still looks better though, to my eyes.

Don't know if you guys can get Bike magazine out there, but in the March07 issue, they did a big feature on the 1098, part of which is comments from non-journalists. And opinion is split - some people love it, some hate it, some call it bland and, interestingly, given your comments, there is the following description:

"My first reaction was the 1098 looked like the love child of an R1 and 916. It's got styling cues that recall the 916 but certainly has more of a Japanese look. Still a beautiful design."

Worth a look if you can get your hands on a copy.

[0arbreaka]

Am I the only one that thinks it looks just like a Fireblade with a single sided swingarm on it?

There are design similarities but the 1098 is sooo much sexier, talk about euro appeal...

[Lou Girardin]

Hardly the worlds greatest comparison images! There are certainly a lot of design similarities to the Fireblade

Like all sprotbikes?

[Trudes]

I'm not surprised! Good god that those bikes are HOT! I could be persuaded to trade in my bike for one of those.:shit:

[Coyote]

I think the latest R1 looks far better, although I haven't seen the 1098 in the flesh

[idleidolidyll]

Sure it's pretty but really it's merely the development of the old 996 that the Testastretta should have been instead of the ugly duckling it was.

The 'new' style is pretty much the old style. Hardly award winning IMO but there ya go, nobody has ever asked me to vote on the best design for a motorcycle.

In the Ducati range I reckon the beautiful Hypermoto is by far the most refreshing and attractive design.

[SpankMe]

It sounds angry :shit:

UnRIxbID6HI

[98tls]

Am I the only one that thinks it looks just like a Fireblade with a single sided swingarm on it? when you get to my age they all look like that mate.........am sure its an amazing bike but the reality to me anyway is how many could make full use of it........for some it will be a revalation.........for some it will be a way of deflating there wallet to in there mind inflate there public persona.......one certain reality is that the twistys reveal the truth.........

[more_fasterer]

I'd be quite happy to ride one of those badly...

[skelstar]

Saw one on Sun at the Nats, not overwelmed (sp?). Nice looking bike, screen a bit low/sleek for my liking though (sim to 999). If it wasn't a Ducati I wonder if there would be as much fuss.

Think the 675 Daytona is more striking (but not pretty).

[sAsLEX]

Don't know if you guys can get Bike magazine out there, but in the March07 issue


Yes and its a good read on the development of the model and the depth they went to to get what the $$ paying customer wanted, and from the reaction its getting it seemed to have worked.

[bugjuice]

It sounds angry :shit:
sounds fukin sexy!!!!
camera makes me anrgy

[limbimtimwim]

I saw one yesterday. It was coming the other way. It was red and I initially mistook it for a...

HONDA

Oh dear. And I didn't hear it make a sound.

Nice one Ducati.

[Motig]

I prefer the previous model least it looked different. The 1098 looks too much like any make of modern faired sportsbike, Japanese or Brit. Its a bit like a lot of modern cars, you have to find the makers badge to be sure what your looking at. Are the judges the same people that let Ducati have all the say-so in the Superbike rules?

[limbimtimwim]

I think I should have mistook it for a 'umpy 675 though.

[Trudes]

I think it's sexy, and I thought that before I saw one in the flesh, now I'm in :love:

[limbimtimwim]

I think it's sexy, and I thought that before I saw one in the flesh, now I'm in :love:Oh yes, very nice.. But shit. They should have done something adventurous. Like put lasers on that draw the words "FUCK YEAH A DUCATI AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE MAINTENANCE UNLESS YOU ARE A LAWYER LIKE ME YEAH!!!!!!!" on the walls as it ambles down the street showing it's chicken strips off to all the ladies.

Or flames instead of boring old headlights.

Or a handlebars hooked up to the ignition to zap you in submission.

Or a shotgun holster as standard.

Or make it real hard to start. Like give it a wooden pedal to jump on.

I think I should work in the Ducati design department. No one would buy them. Hence preserving the mystique.

[skelstar]

I agree (except about the laser bullshit). It would be a VERY nice looking GSXR or Blade though.

[patdarat]

Well it sure don't sound like a fireblade !!!! Any way comparying any bike to a Fireblade is insulting. Who wants to be compared to a 180hp bike that is so sole liss you fall asleep riding it. Only Honda could do that. Anyway back to that 1098. What a masive sound, I am a die hard Yammie rider but if I could Own a 1098 Iwould have one in a hart beat. An R1 is never going to sound that sweet.

[slowpoke]

It sounds angry :shit:



SpankMe, you are a fuggin' champion! That's just NASTY!

I'm actually the opposite to Skelstar, I saw the pictures and liked it...then saw it at the Nats and was gobsmacked, the pictures didn't do it justice.

Now, after hearing those Termi's I'm absolutely in lust.

[hazzy]

Hardly the worlds greatest comparison images! There are certainly a lot of design similarities to the Fireblade and I have to say that it just looks plain bland. Sorry but I can't understand what all the excitement is about.

Less is more

[Skyryder]

There has been nothing to touch the MV Augusta but the Bimoto comes a close second. Both stunning design that Ducazte has been unable to touch. Whatda think of the typo???

Skyryder

[Finn]

has Ducati built any hypermotard's yet?
that one is way more interesting and relevant to NZ roads than the 1098

Aren't you looking at this a bit one eyed?

[Finn]

There has been nothing to touch the MV Augusta but the Bimoto comes a close second. Both stunning design that Ducazte has been unable to touch. Whatda think of the typo???

Skyryder

The Agusta F4 is a damn good looking bike but the design has been around since 1999. I think they are too scared to change it although surely Mr T must be working on something. I've always wanted a twin and I like the 1098s but I think I'll wait till this summer.

[James Deuce]

I think I should have mistook it for a 'umpy 675 though.

Oddly enough I had just that experience last weekend. OOo I haven't seen a 675 in THAT shade of red - oops 1098.