DUCATI 1198S (2008 - 2011) Review

Version: 1198S

Year: 2010

Looks great and sounds amazing. It’s not comfy economical or reliable but when she’s running it’s fab. Old school charm in spades and plenty of stomp if you want it.

Buying experience: Purchased from Blade Ducati, great bike and experience

Version: 1198

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £300

Shocking performance.... A bike which you park up and everyone stops and comments how beautiful it is.

Buying experience: There's a few out there and they are appriciating in value. Buy one... Before you die!!

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £400

I have always been a superbike rider, this is the only one that ticks all the boxes. Handles like riding on rails. Never let me down. Worst feature... Only 84 miles between fuel stops, makes planning longer journeys tricky. I would love an aluminium tank with more capacity. Ducati traction control makes me nervous when it cuts in, so I turn it off, keeps me sharp, focused and respectful.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. £10,500 Feb 2013 No intention of selling.

I've had my 1198 since 2010 . It's awesome I've done over 20,000 miles on it.The only downside is the fuel capacity. It doesn't do many miles before the fuel light comes on.But I've riiden it to Mugello and back, over 3600 miles in ten days and it's a great bike for long trips. 5250 revs 100 mph.Easy cruising. The other problem was rubbish main dealer sevicing ! Eventually took the bike to a specialist and he found lots of things that were NEVER done by the main dealer. So, don't believe what everyone syas That "You must get a Ducati with full history" I think One tha's been looked after by it's owner or specialist serviced is far far better.It's the most torquy bike around and has got MASSIVE mid range grunt.

I've been riding v twins for quite a few year now (rsv mille, sp2) and bought a 1198 this year. The big duke really is light years ahead of anything i've had before. Acceleration when using all the revs from second gear can only be decribed as ferocious and trying to keep the front wheel on the deck is impossible. The engine is stunning with power all through the revs, as with all big twins there is a big lump of torque lower down and firing out of corners is great. The handling light, responsive and forgiving with a front end like nothing i've ever ridden, so much feedback. The brakes are 4 pot radial brembo's up front, we all know how good they are, two finger braking is enough to have your eyeballs popping out. For a race rep the comfort is surprisingly good, it's by no means a sports tourer though and motorway miles take their toll on your wrists but you don't buy a 1198 for touring do you??? The looks of the bike are by far the best in the class (in my biased opinion) with not a bad angle to see. the only bike that comes close in looks is the mv agusta f4. Overall the Duacti 1198 is a superb performance motorcycle that will excite you as soon as you open the garage door. As MCN say, everybody should experience one of these bikes once in their life.

Absolutely perfect bike. Every detail (from brakes to frame to engine) is great and has its own character which one enjoys and appreciates through time.

I've had my white 1198 for about 9 months. It's winter now so the bike was put away 2 months ago with 12,000km on it. It's served me well so far with the only issue being a leaking radiator at the top left hard mounting point. This is a common issue with a large percentage of 1098/1198 bikes. It's failed to start a couple of times due to the flaky antenna for the imobilizer, wiggle the antenna and it seems to fix itself. Other than that is has been bullet proof so far. I don't baby it and wrote it for 15 solid hours from Toronto to Deals Gap this summer. I'll report back on season 2.