Tor Sagen from Raptors and Rockets had the chance to try the lovely Ducati 1198S on the Portimao track, along with legend Troy Bayliss.
Tor has revealed that the stunning new Ducati offering is full of refined elements, and technology (for example the Ducati Traction Control) and has been designed to tour the world’s best circuits.
The power-weight ratio is 1:1, with 170hp, 169kg dry weight, and 131Nm at 8,000 revs.
The bike has lovely lines and a great engine sound.
The DTC was used (at Level 4) and was found to be an exceptional instrument for a new track or riding such a top-performance bike.
The traction control is a safety measure for both expert track riders, and for road use.
The DTC includes eight settings, the highest giving the greatest control, with more expert riders starting with lower settings before eliminating them all together.
The only problem is that the level can’t be changed when the bike is moving, which can provide for more limited options in track use.
The 1198 is a huge technological step from the 1098R, with the DTC working directly on the injection stage.
On the Portimao track, this was particularly useful given the concentration required to ride this track.
The reduced weight is thanks mostly to lighter wheels and given the performance figures, exploiting the full potential of this bike is an impressive, and difficult, task.
Braking is easy, though, with the monobloc Brembo calipers, complimented by a superior suspension system.
The tyres are Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC measuring 120/70 at the front and 190/55 at the rear, allowing for total speed mania if you’re so inclined.
The seat position is the same as the 1098 and the 848, and the S version includes the Ducati Data Analyser (DDA), with a memory capacity of 4Mb.
The 1198 S has been specifically designed for track use, and the DTC is a particularly impressive addition.
The greater cost compared to the competition can certainly be justified, given the quality components used.
Text from Tor Sagen’s Ducati 1198 test run.
Photo: Milagro