Ducati to Abandon 1098 Moniker for Next R
The train spotters amongst you may have noticed that the factory Ducati 1098R F09 Superbikes as ridden by Messieurs Haga and Fabrizio have 1198 boldly plastered on the side of the fairing, not 1098R like the top flight streetbike. There is a good reason for this of course, since from this year, the entire family of liter class V-twins have had an engine displacing 1198cc. So it comes as little surprise that next year Ducati will formally drop the 1098 moniker as the 1098R becomes the 1198R.
The 1098 name has outlived it’s usefulness and in order to maintain the premium status of the largest engined testastretta evoluzione powered machines from the mere 1098 based Streetfighter and impending Adventure Tourer / Strada Aperta / Multistrada replacement (delete not applicable) a name change for the ‘R’ was inevitable.
This notion has been confirmed by a California Air Resources Board document that notes a 1198, 1198S and 1198R are approved for next year although why the ‘R’ is listed as a double seater alludes me. Any ideas?
Since time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future (sorry, I’ll stop doing that) the 180bhp of the current 1098R probably won’t do in the realm of the new BMW S1000RR and Aprilia RSV4. Both of these two, new European competitors proudly boast large headline horsepower numbers so expect the Ducati 1198R to gain a few more ponies along with a change of decal. The smart money is on 190.
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Ducati 1098R F09 Factory Superbike Wallpaper
All content on the Ducati 1098R
Source: OmniMoto (amusing English translation) via Asphalt & Rubber
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