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Ducati expects great things from the new 1098 sportbike—as do its customers. The 999 replacement has the double goal of winning both races and the hearts of enthusiasts; the 999 accomplished the first mission but grossly missed the second. So far, so good. Last month, the 1098 got off at a glorious start in Milan, where it was elected “Queen of the Show” by the massive crowd. Second phase of “Operation 1098” was to impress the media with its performance.
Ducati launched the 1098 this week at the 13-turn Kyalami circuit, located in the South African province of Gauteng, north of Johannesburg. When I received my invitation, a shiver ran down my spine. November is the wrong time of year in the northern hemisphere for full-on, knee-on-the-deck bike testing. Also, Kyalami is about a 20-hour flight from my home base in Italy. Ah, well, welcome to the world of the “pampered” moto-journalist.
I was surprised to discover that this former Grand Prix track is so technical. I may be a slow learner, but Kyalami is really tough, with a variety of blind, off-camber, decreasing-radius and very fast corners at the bottom of steep dives that put enormous stress on the suspension—and the rider!
As such, I spent three of the five track sessions concentrating only on where I was going, not on what I was riding. I wasn't the only rider struggling to learn the track. Former 350cc World Champion Mario Lega, a very good rider, crashed and knocked himself unconscious.
That's too bad because the 1098, with its terrific V-Twin power and outstanding chassis, performs really well. In fact, this is the best bike ever to come off the Borgo Panigale assembly line. Weighing just 381 pounds, the 1098 accelerates like a cheetah on steroids, with breathtaking progression to the 10,000-plus-rpm rev limit and surprisingly little vibration. The broad spread of power sets a new standard for the class. Despite its steep grades, Kyalami could easily be negotiated in fourth gear while maintaining terrific throttle response.
New Brembo “monoblock” four-piston front brake calipers and 330mm rotors also establish a class high-water mark, both in power and ease of modulation; only a single finger is needed for immediate deceleration. Pirelli Dragon Evo Supercorsa Pro radials contribute to the bike's sharp steering, which is both light and solid at the same time, characteristics that inspire enormous confidence.
If you've put money down on the upgraded S-model, rest assured the additional expenditure is not wasted. The Marzocchi components fitted to the base 1098 are very good, but the smooth, fluid action of the Öhlins suspension (and the fork in particular) adds to steering precision that can be felt in both slow- and high-speed corners.
At the end of the main straight at Kyalami, there is a very fast, blind downhill right-hander, which is followed by an equally fast uphill left. Both the 1098 and the 1098 S flew through those sections with nary a wobble. Proof positive Ducati got it right with the 1098, literally and figuratively.
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