Ducati 1098 wins “best design of 2006” award

**Bob** · 21st February 2007, 01:15

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** · 21st February 2007, 06:03

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**R6_kid:Me** · 21st February 2007, 10:44

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** · 21st February 2007, 10:46

[sarcasm]well there's a big surprise[/sarcasm]

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** · 21st February 2007, 19:08

Originally Posted by bugjuice

[sarcasm]well there's a big surprise[/sarcasm]

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** · 21st February 2007, 20:38

possibly.. had your eyes checked lately?

**Bob** · 21st February 2007, 22:31

Originally Posted by Paulus

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** · 21st February 2007, 23:00

Originally Posted by Bob

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** · 21st February 2007, 23:39

Originally Posted by Paulus

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** · 22nd February 2007, 00:50

Originally Posted by Paulus

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** · 22nd February 2007, 05:56

Originally Posted by Paulus

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

Like all sprotbikes?

**Trudes** · 22nd February 2007, 06:05

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

**Coyote** · 22nd February 2007, 06:31

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

**idleidolidyll** · 22nd February 2007, 08:02

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.