Having taken their lumps with the 999, Ducati returned to familiar ground with the horizontal headlights on the 1098. Fans returned to the showrooms and this two-owner machine appears to have been babied by both.
2007 Ducati 1098 for sale on eBay
Testastretta improvements let another ten percent displacement result in 160 hp, and 90 ft.-lbs. torque. Valve adjustment intervals were extended, and having been an issue since the 916, the cooling system was finally revised to the task. Adjustable Showa dampers were spec’d for the base model, though on this example the monoshock has been upgraded to an Öhlins. Passenger pegs are in flight above the single-sided swingarm, and the lightweight Marchini forgings and monoblock Brembo calipers agree with the underseat exhaust that a pillion wouldn’t be prudent.
This Florida owner gives a good background on the 1098 and had the calipers re-finished in a contrasting blue. A host of other mods were done by the previous owner, though cam belts should be on the to-do list. From the eBay auction:
-Ohlins full suspension upgrade front and rear-Brembo brake calipers (currently blue)
-Chain guard and gold frame plugs
-Full Termignoni with ECU tune ($3,000 value)
-Upgraded 1098 suede seat cover
-Adjustable brembo clutch and brake levers
-HID front headlights
-LED integrated rear taillights
-Integrated license plate holder
-Blacked out adjustable rear sets and passenger pegs
-Passenger seat and matching seat cowl
-Open Dry Clutch
-Carbon Mirror Covers
-Carbon Ignition Cover
-Carbon Speedo Cover
-Carbon Rear Tire hugger with matching paint trim
-Carbon Undertail (Underneath rear fairing/above exhaust)
-Carbon Termi tubes
-Carbon Exhaust Heat Shield
-Carbon Dry clutch cover
-Quick connect for battery tender
To me this is when Ducati “jumped the shark” and became just another motorcycle maker. Prior to this their bikes had personality . 916? Beautiful but a pain to ride. 999? kind of ugly but a great engine. Once Audi came in and the 888 and 1098 came out it was just an italian version of yamaha. Then maybe Im just getting older…damn kids, get off my lawn!
Hmm… an 888 is like no yamaha I’ve ever ridden, and Im “old” too. Maybe just me, but that ad-hoc timeline has me confused like a senior citizen.
DO agree that the return to familiar – post 999 era – styling, seemed like a bit of a concession to ordinary vs. dynamic (read: controversial) but then I’m a fan of the Terblanche Supersport as well, so that might explain some things. LOL
Blue Brake calipers? Kinda Cobb.
Yeah, aesthetically speaking I’d rather see red calipers with brushed aluminum “brembo” lettering.
* yes thAt is a suggestion to ditch the nissins. The blue just doesn’t do it for me.
Sort of a plain vanilla bike for the site. These are all over the place.
The comments on the end of the traditional ducati have more to do with moving manufacturing to the same style as the rest of the pack aka Japanese. I would still expect far superior componentry given the higher price point. The Japanese could pack more in if they increased the price but it is not what the mass market dictates to max profitability which is what all these companies ultimately strive for.
Cool bike but doesn’t feel worthy. At least make it red!