For all those lusting (like me) after a 1098...

[slowpoke]

I've sorta stayed in touch with a few people in Perth and got forwarded this dyno chart of some lucky bastard's new 1098 complete with 70mm pipe and power commander.

Read into it what you will, but while I'm sure the pipe probably sounds magnificent it's an expensive exercise for the small increase in mumbo: $1000 per extra hp.

[Adam_B]

Looks like they have left the Db killers in the new pipes. They're removable and if left in then they reduce the noise and probably most of the power back down to stock levels.

From what I understand with the full system (Db killers removed) there's a big improvement in the power, and sound.

[slowpoke]

Hopefully one day I'll find out with my own 1098....I just hope I'm not too old and decrepit!

[MD]

It's official there is no bike I want more in the world now than a Ducati 1098.

I had the pleasure of hooning around the backroads of the Whyrappa on a 1098S today and...what can I say, I want one. I promised the missus I wouldn't change bikes for a couple of years after the BMW800. I guess that's why they invented divorce.
Back to the bike. Why did I liked it so much. Lets see;
1. most striking thing was how much I liked the riding position. it suited me to a T. Surprisingly comfortable. It just FEELS RIGHT
2. performance. I'll keep it short; it accelerates with authority, brakes and goes around corners just like all those dribbling journos have been saying. I have no doubt it has the 160hp at the crank that Ducati claim. It is light and easy to ride, what more do we need in a sports bike.. oh yeah, see point 3 below.

3. the looks do it for me.
I reckon I would have more fun on a 1098 on a track than on any other bike, so that makes it a winner to me.

[Drew]

Hang on there Mark, You said the same thing about your Ninja, so your review must be takin with a grain of salt.

[MD]

Yep, good call Drew. I'm a bike slut and proud of it. If I was after a hyper sports bike any of the current crop would do a bang up job. Actually, now you mention it, I would compare how I enjoyed the riding position on the Duckie to my 636. It's one of those fussy Cinderella slipper things where only one size will do.
So to be fair there were little things that weren't perfect. I don't like the current trend of some bikes to not have a red zone on the rev counter face. I like that corner of you eye glance that lets you know how close you are getting. The 1098 has a series of red rev lights you can program, but I like the old fashioned red line as well. Also it doesn't have a gear indicator (that's a crime in 2007). The numbers on the dash are a bit hard to read - needs a bigger bolder font that's all.
It's a bike a fast rider would extract a hell of a lot of fun from.
I have to stop riding other bikes it leaves me so messed up. The good news was I was as happy as Larry back on the beemer.
I was on strict orders not to wheelie but confess the front lifted a couple of times on the power in 2nd (as any 160hp bike should). I really really wasn't expecting the front wheel to lift though so it was a pleasant surprise.

[Drew]

Onya bro.

I couldn't agree more on the red line thing bro, I think it was Cowpoos who said to me not long ago, that they dont look at the rev counter, but I'm lost without it, the .01sec glance, on entering a corner, helps me know if I'll need to shift while still leaned right over, which I cant do when cornering left. And when I'm nailin it down the straights.

Not sure about the gear indicator, never ridden with one, so not that bothered.

[rookie]

Ahh yes, you be right... almost.
There is one bike that is better, and so we dont start jibbering on about Brittens and shit, lets keep it real, in fact keep it Ducati.
Mate of mine has ordered the Ducati Desmosedici V4 MotoGP.
Other than that, then no.. theres no better.

wow...i need to go change my pants

[limbimtimwim]

It's official there is no bike I want more in the world now than a Ducati 1098. I had the pleasure of hooning around the backroads of the Whyrappa

I saw you on Saturday on your bike, and a couple of Ducatis. I thought "I bet Mark got a ride on that 1098, he's cheeky like that".

Bastard you did.

[Drew]

Ahh yes, you be right... almost.
There is one bike that is better, and so we dont start jibbering on about Brittens and shit, lets keep it real, in fact keep it Ducati.
Mate of mine has ordered the Ducati Desmosedici V4 MotoGP.
Other than that, then no.. theres no better.

You got you some real rich friends speedy, how much is one of them things worth?

[Masterchop]

It's official there is no bike I want more in the world now than a Ducati 1098.

I had the pleasure of hooning around the backroads of the Whyrappa on a 1098S today and...what can I say, I want one. I promised the missus I wouldn't change bikes for a couple of years after the BMW800. I guess that's why they invented divorce.
Back to the bike. Why did I liked it so much. Lets see;
1. most striking thing was how much I liked the riding position. it suited me to a T. Surprisingly comfortable. It just FEELS RIGHT
2. performance. I'll keep it short; it accelerates with authority, brakes and goes around corners just like all those dribbling journos have been saying. I have no doubt it has the 160hp at the crank that Ducati claim. It is light and easy to ride, what more do we need in a sports bike.. oh yeah, see point 3 below.

3. the looks do it for me.
I reckon I would have more fun on a 1098 on a track than on any other bike, so that makes it a winner to me.

Well you just buggered up my year MD.
I didnt want to hear all this good stuff about the 1098,I was trying to pretend it didnt actually exsist.
Now Im going to have to buy one,My wife is going to be so pissed off with you.

[cowpoos]

Ahh yes, you be right... almost.
There is one bike that is better, and so we dont start jibbering on about Brittens and shit, lets keep it real, in fact keep it Ducati.
Mate of mine has ordered the Ducati Desmosedici V4 MotoGP.
Other than that, then no.. theres no better.

strange thing is...theres a test in germany with one of them ponsy duc v4's and a flashy pants half the price MV augusta...the MV was quicker in a straight line [just] and around the choosen circut... but the duc def looks the bee's knees!!

[limbimtimwim]

Between $120,000 and $150,000 NZD depending on who your contacts are.

Can your friend ride properly? Or can I go to a track day and afterwards tell people I totally 'effing owned a Ducati Desmosedici?

That'd make my head swell.

[MD]

Good on him Speedie. But most of us live in a real world where we don't spend $150,000+ on our toys.
I guess if you have the spare moolah just lying around idle, then spend it on whatever bike takes your fancy. That V4 Duc does nothing for me- then as Fizzerman said, if I was lucky enough to ever ride one, I would no doubt want one!
Masterchop - bad news mate, you ride one YOU WILL want one. I've ridden my friends 999s a few times and the 1098S was much better. At $34k for the base model I reckon it's bloody good value.
LBTW- ha, I hear ya, aint that funny... That's a fine bike you have there. Hey, let me buy you that coffee.... (grabs keys and off... )

[Adam_B]

At $34k for the base model I reckon it's bloody good value.

$32k for the base. Even better value.
$38k for the S.
Trouble is the 2007 production run is pretty much sold out, so you would have to talk very nicely to your dealer to get one..