So any one here into bikes? I know at least one person is ::cough::Chris ::cough::. If you are you want to check the price and specs on the '08 Ducati 1098. http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-m...s/ducati-1098/

The styling is back to the greatness it once was before the 999: Side by side lights, not the supurfluous nipple light of the 999; Single side swing arm, dual under seat oval exhaust.

Now the nitty-gritty! The bike is 29lbs lighter than the 999, and 20hp more with 90ft/lbs of tourque putting the 1098 with the highest tq/lb ratio of any factory production bike. With the peak HP up to 160hp, its now the highest hp twin in the world, again factory production.

There are all sorts of goodies as options for the base and standard on the S; like data logging for instance.

Here is my favorite part of the whole deal.... It's MSRP is $14,995. Down from almost $20,000 for a 999 when it was released. Yeah thats right when you have an R1 or any other Japaniese Liter bike for between $12,999 and $13,999 for an extra $1000 you have one of the worlds premier bikes, distinctive and agressive.

Chicks dig Duc's. She'll have to change her thong after each ride.

Im realy contemplating this. Like hard core contemplation. Hmmmm If I go this route this would definately be an summer '08 purchase. So I can get the other bills and car paid off. And that would mean no more upgrades to the Z for a long while.

So any of you like the looks and performance of the new Duc, for the price?

 

Hawt

 

yea i want a bike as a daily driver and have my Z for the weekends. i was looking into the hayabusa, but the ducati's are nice as well.

 

Bikes get stolen a lot, my buddy's GXR got stolen last week right in front of his house when he was inside for only 10 minutes getting a drink.....And this was only a couple hundred yards from my house.

 

Well you are on an island, go find him, he couldn't have gone far.

 

Cops dont search for bikes in Hawaii. There is a decent amount of theft here and even though its only a island we have more than a million people and lots of harbors with containers to hide things. You can go on ebay and buy a frame for 400.00 and then swap it...A few minutes later you have a legal new bike...sad huh

 

I was very excited about the 1098 and was planning on selling my 999 for one. After seeing it in person last month at the Ducati booth during the international show in D.C., I changed my mind. I sat on it for a while, but it just didn't do it for me. Performance-wise yes, style-wise no. Other than the kick-*** swingarm, it looks too much like everything else out there. I'm gonna stick with the 999 for now...

 

^^hotness

 

Get the bike man. It's always nice to get on something different once in a while. You should know, you get like different girls here and there. And the nice thing is bikes are affordable...it doesnt take a lot to get them going. You could build a sub 9 second drag bike or a repli-racer for less than $20k (including the bike). You could end up spending more if you wanted to. Speaking of girls...there's NOTHING like having a plush pair of back rests on your back. To add - there's the convinience factors of having a bike. You can manuver through traffic easily..and it cuts the time you spend in traffic. The only bad thing is if traffic is really heavy, and you spend most of your time standing the bike up...and the heat rises. If your packing a girl, that could be a good thing...that usually gets a girl warmed up down there, getting it most...and amplifying it with the vibration (especially when the ducs exhaust is and undertail) But that's about it.

Yah bikes could get stolen. But I've had my bike for 4 years now. *knocking on wood* it hasnt been remotely tampered with. The alarm has been set off and all but, it hasnt been moved, other wise my paging system would of showed it. Dont get those home depot chains, get one of those kryptonite new york chains. I believe they cover a substantial amount if your bike gets stolen. Also, get a separate comprehensive insurace...usually the dealerships offer them. What this does is just covers the bike in event of theft ONLY. And always get full coverage insurance. I've told a lot of friends who've confided in me about getting a bike to do those things. 2 out of 8 of them got their bike stolen due to neglegence. They didnt have a good chain on their bike. But when the insurances kicked it...the balances were paid, and they were off and about on another bike, and the first accessory they bought was a good bike chain *LOL*. You could best sum it up that your best theft protection is insurance(s). So if you get the Kyrp. NY chaing, dealership comprehensive program, and your regular full coverage ins. you're covered three-fold.

I like the ducs...they're nearly identical to my race bike. the v-twin, dry clutch, the way the handle in the turns. Just that the ducs are a tad faster. The only bikes that could compete against the ducs were the older honda RC51. I love how they sound...very distinct...very exotic, all very pronounced. That's why they're considered the Ferarris of bikes.

 

I've seen video of the the new Duc being dyno'd with just the termi exhaust and the S ecu, and the it put out about 143 WHP and Mid 80WTQ. With its weight that put the Duc up there with the Japanese liter bikes. Then throw in the handeling, suspention, and the Slipper clutch and there are few if any Japanese bikes that could touch it on a track... Um theoreticaly same level of drivers.

The only other bike that even peaks my intrest is the 07' R1 Its got more Mid range HP and TQ and higher top end power. Its got OHLINS suspention (if I recal right) and a sliper clutch modeled after the Moto GP bike's clutch. The only thing is there are crap lads of R1's and they are not real distinctive any more. The Duc is definately a stand apart bike.

Once this last part of the car is finished I think Im gonna start puting away just in case I want to buy it.

 

Yah...Ducs are finally getting just what they deserve. For years they've been shunned by the likes of Suzuki and Yamaha...hopefully this year they'll show the Japanese Bikes up.

Every year there's an even in spain called "Master bike" where all the production sportbikes come in and duke it out. For the last three years running, Kawasaki has been strong with both it's 10R and 6R/RR bikes. Suzuki has been in the middle for the most part. This years Master Bike should be interesting with the newly designed bikes from all the manufactureres.

 

i like the Duc below, which is unfortunately not mine...... but my good friends

 

Cant realy tell poiniantly which exact model it is with out a clear tail shot or nose shot. Sorry Im just not good with Duc's plus it has aftermarket plastic which makes it alittle harder. The tanks are a little diffrent from each line as well as the tail. There are small changes in the latice work from the 916's to the 996-998 and the 999 being well distinctly diffrent. But the problem is its under the plastic.

My best guess looking at the flatter top tank and more pronounced flares on the tank, the the boxed out tail Im gonna put my bet on a 98' 916. Again Im no Duc expert. Ask you freind, Im currious.

 

How about the MV Agusta? Their bikes are pretty sweet. They're just about in the same price range as the Ducs as well.