Description
Additional photos of this Ducati 1098R are available here for your perusal.
Built for homologation purposes, the 1098R was Ducati’s entry into World Superbike. It brought back something from the past (side by side headlights, à la the 916) and introduced something new – the first implementation of electronic traction control on a production street bike.
Bike Social calls it a Future Classic, saying “in many ways it is the last of the ‘proper’ Ducati homologation specials. That is to say it bears absolutely no resemblance to the road bike it is meant to be based on! Capacity, engine, chassis, just about every component on the 1098R when compared to the 1098 road bike was altered as Ducati needed to get back into winning ways.”
They weren’t kidding – despite the “1098” name and the 1,099cc motor in the regular 1098 model, the 1098R engine displaces 1,198cc thanks to increases in both bore and stroke. Titanium was generously implemented for the connecting rods and the (larger) valves, plus Ducati added a slipper clutch, strengthened rocker arms, magnesium cam covers, lighter pistons…you get the idea.
Just like some “R” specials before it, the 1098 gets Ohlins suspension/steering damper, carbon fiber bodywork, and upgraded Brembo brakes. You also get Marchesini wheels, a magnesium front subframe, and the novel eight-stage traction control. The price for “the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle ever built”? $40,000.
This example is #176 of the 450 that were sold in the US, and it’s especially special as it’s a zero mile bike. It was never even dealer-prepped – we just installed the windshield now for photos!
The sale includes a new Termignoni full system, 2 black keys, code card, Owner’s Manual, Ducati Data Analyzer, and official Ducati 2008 brochures for Apparel and Accessories.
Cosmetic flaws are limited to oxidation on the right headlight, top of the left exhaust, and on the black anodized aluminum finish on the swingarm – the last note is a problem that we have occasionally seen on other 1098Rs (including a 0-mile example).
This is a rare opportunity for you to acquire a basically-new example of a very special Ducati. We love seeing these zero-mile bikes as they take us back in time, and we hope you feel the same!
