We've come to the time on Sprokets when we make internet love to the new Ducati 1098.

Begin. 

**Dances in jerky motion with tiny glasses and a black turtleneck**

The new Cycle World has this on the Cover:

"160 hp. . . 381 pounds. . . $14,499"


'Nuff said?  I think so too.

You  know what freaks me out the most?

90 ft/lbs of torque. 

90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boo ya, its cheaper than the 999R was, and only a bit more expensive than the 749.  It has "The highest torque to weight ratio of any superbike on the planet."

**Wets pants a little**



"Hey man, did you know you have a headlight out?"

Here is what troubles me: it is cheaper than a BMW R1200S?

By $2000!  WTF?   So I really wanted the Beemer.  Still do because of its touring capability.  But the 1098 is cheaper?

Yeah the price shocked me, big time.  I'm used to the 'other' kind of sticker shock when looking at Duc's.

Just helping others make internet love to the new hotness...

-T.

that bike is awesome, but it seems to have lost the ducati styling alittle and developed alittle bit from the japanese bikes.  Still looks great but doesnt have that ducati look to it so much anymore. 

Nice, but not my cup of tea.

Actually, the styling comes from the Ducati 914.  It is the ultimate Italian Superbike styling.  And if it looks like a Japanese bike, it is because the Japanese bikes have been bitting off the 914's stying since 1994.  Remember the mid-90's when Japanese bikes had one big headlight (like my bike).  Now they all have two (except Suzuki).  Just like the 914. 

I think the 1098 is the ultimate sport bike.  How is anyone going to top this?

The 914 was really a Volkswagon. Its even called a type 4.
Type 1 was the beetle/thing, 2 was the bus, 3 was the pancake.
Cool.
Srinath.

Wrong 914, Buttercup. 

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.article&resourceId=6098676&articleCategory=NEWS_-OTHER

"WORLD SUPERBIKE champion Troy Bayliss has unofficially broken the South African superbike lap record at Kyalami – on a standard Ducati 1098 road bike!"

How are they gonna top this?

holy crap that is one duc that i like.  Normally not to fond of them that that looks amazing

its a beast alright... Honda can officially can the rc51, this duc will eat it for breakfast.

Nah, hopefully Honda ups the ante a little bit.  Anytime companies compete for the best motorcycle in a class, the consumer ultimately wins.

-Il Turdecci