2008 Ducati 1098 R
DUCATI 1098 R
The lightest and most powerful twin-cylinder bike of all time. Traction control fitted as standard for maximum track performance.
The new 1098 R is the most powerful and lightest twin-cylinder bike ever produced by the Borgo Panigale factory, with the highest torque/weight ratio in the sportbike category.
It is the jewel in the crown of the successful Superbike family and it represents the ultimate expression of racing technology applied to a production bike.
Ducati Corse engineers and riders worked in close contact with the RD division during the development of this project to produce a true racing bike, a masterpiece of incredible performance and innovation.
The numbers speak for themselves. A total of 180hp is on tap for this new hypersport machine, together with an amazing torque value of 13.7 kgm.
The weight figure also confirms the racing origins of the 1098 R: 165kg puts the bike at the forefront of this category.
The 1098 R is supplied with a racing kit for track use. This is made up of a pair of “102dB” carbon mufflers and a dedicated ECU, which boost the already exceptional performance of this new twin-cylinder Ducati.
With this kit the rider can also activate dialog between the ECU and the DTC (Ducati Traction Control) system, which is fitted to a production bike for the first time ever.
This extraordinary electronic system . developed and perfected in conjunction with Ducati Corse, controls rear wheel spinning and as a result allows the rider to manage the incredible torque of the new Testestretta Evoluzione engine, in particular when cornering and in exiting corners.
The way DTC operates is regulated by the rider, who can simply select one of eight different profiles on the instrumentation display depending on different tarmac conditions and rider ability.
Once again Ducati has raised the bar for the hypersport bike category by transferring its MotoGP race technology experience to a road bike.
The development of the Testastretta Evoluzione has now found its crowning glory in the new engine for the latest addition to the Ducati family: the 1098 R.
Created after close collaboration between engineers from Ducati’s production and racing departments, this new engine is fitted with the same components powering the 1098 F08 that will take on the Japanese opposition in the 2008 World Superbike Championship.
The R version of the 1098 has been boosted to an engine displacement of 1198cc. A bore increase from 104mm to 106mm and a stroke value of 67.9mm, producing a remarkable 1.56 ratio, complete the ‘over-square’ layout of the engine.
The power output of 180hp (132.4 kW) at 9750 rpm and a torque value of 13.7 kgm (134Nm) at 7750 rpm place the 1098 R at the very top of its category. It is the most powerful twin-cylinder production engine in history and fitting reward to the continued ingenuity of Borgo Panigale engineers.
Like the 1098, the ‘R’ engine again presents the revolutionary layout of compact cylinders and cylinder heads. Whether external or internal, every new development has been conceived to create a lighter, more efficient, more powerful and ultra-compact engine. The cylinder heads and crankcase are in aluminium and have been sand cast to guarantee high resistance and at the same time reduce the weight of the finished component.
As a result of the excellent fluid dynamics of the 1098, in the new 1098 R engine the angle between intake and exhaust valves has been retained. This allows highly efficient, straight intake ducts and newly shaped combustion chambers that can contain sizeable valves (44.3mm inlet, 36.2mm exhaust) normally only found in powerful racing engines. The compression ratio achieved in this new layout is 12.8:1.
The intake and exhaust valves have been redesigned and are now both in titanium, controlled by high-grade steel lash caps and retainers and titanium keepers. In this way it has been possible to guarantee the required resistance and inertia levels, making the most of the control precision of the Ducati desmodromic system. The camshafts are the same as the ones used in the Superbike engine and have the same valve lift.
The rockers are also the same, and are produced in a special case-hardened steel alloy, with a super-finished surface. This treatment allows wear to be reduced to a minimum and system performance to be improved at higher revs.
As on the 1098, the head covers are in magnesium and are die cast so as to ensure maximum wall thickness precision and minimum weight.
The large-bore pistons have undergone considerable analysis and simulation to ensure the correct stiffness, resistance, blow-by control and oil consumption. The undercrown has been suitably strengthened with a double rib so as to resist the strong flow of gas loads and the inertia during operation. Considerable weight saving comes from the use of titanium conrods, 130gr lighter than those in the 1098 version.
The big-end and the small-end of the conrod are specially treated to guarantee maximum wear resistance.
The gearbox has also been redesigned: with respect to the 1098 engine, the gears have a different ratio for the sixth and are produced in higher-strength steel. Component reliability is further increased by the application of a controlled shot-peening process on the teeth.
The ultra-reliable slipper clutch design again limits engine braking transmission towards the rear wheel, thus improving the stability of the bike under heavy braking.
As on the 1098, the throttle bodies are elliptically shaped and MotoGP-derived. With a 30% increase in air flow over conventional throttle bodies, the new shape makes a notable contribution to the record-breaking performance of this motor.
The extreme performance of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine meant that modifications had to be made to the intake system: above all the cross-section of the elliptical throttle bodies has been increased from the 1098’s 60 sq. mm to 63.9 sq. mm; also, to guarantee sufficient fuel flow, it was necessary to use two injectors for each cylinder above the throttle body: a four-hole central injector and a twelve-hole side injector, which provide a greater fuel flow at maximum power.
Carbon belt covers complete the fittings of this new top-of-the-range Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Total weight saving from the 1098 is 3.5kg, a figure that is even more astounding when compared to its predecessor, the 999R engine, a reduction of 6.5kg.
Finally the exhaust system of the 1098 R is even lighter than the one on the 1098, with which it shares a symmetrical 2-1-2 layout that uses 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with wall thickness reduced by 30% to 0.8mm.
The system terminates with Ducati’s trademark under-seat silencers in steel and titanium, which deliver that unmistakable big-bore 90 L-Twin sound.
This unit, just like all the other Ducati engines, fully complies with Euro 3 exhaust emission norms.
Trellis frame
This component has received the same detailed study and ‘performance first’ priority approach as the 1098. The goal was to achieve considerable weight saving while building-in strength and rigidity to manage the new high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Each and every component not only contributes to achieving superior road holding and stability, but when assembled, become a system with value far greater than the sum of all its parts.
In addition several modifications were required to allow it to be used on the racing bike in next year’s World Superbike Championship in view of the new, more restrictive regulations that will enter into force in 2007. The result is an extremely high strength/weight ratio, which is fundamental for racing activity.
Single-sided swingarm
For the 1098 R the single-sided aluminium swingarm, which equips the entire Superbike family, is painted black in order to underline the racing spirit of the bike.
Rear Suspension
The most significant innovation in the 1098 R’s rear suspension is the exclusive Ohlins TTXR single shock . produced with technology directly derived from Ohlins’s experience in MotoGP, and which is used for the first time on a Ducati production bike.
This exclusive shock gives top-line performance during track use, coupled with comfort and safety in everyday road riding, and it also allows a considerable weight saving over components produced with traditional technology.
In addition to a wide range of adjustments possible with the new Ohlins TTXR, the rider can also alter the rear ride height of the bike, making it easier to find the ideal set-up for all riding conditions
Front Suspension
At the front the new 1098 R boasts the fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins forks, which sport low friction Titanium Nitride fork sliders and respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tyre-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control.
The Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing fully-adjustable steering damper.
Brembo Monobloc calipers
The 1098 R is also equipped with the Brembo’s Monobloc caliper racing technology. The M4 caliper uses four 34mm pistons and two large surface pads for maximum stopping power. Calipers are machined from a single piece of alloy, vs. the bolt-together construction of conventional calipers. The Monobloc design has much higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking, and therefore gives a much more precise feel at the brake lever.
The big 330mm discs . when matched to the Monobloc calipers, achieve spectacular braking power. Despite the larger diameter, their weight has not increased due to the use of racing-style narrow braking surfaces. The use of Monobloc technology combined with the legendary stability of Ducati’s Trellis frame and the 1098 R’s overall weight savings has made world championship level brake performance.
Super lightweight wheels
As for the 1098 S, the “R” version addresses this important area by mounting Marchesini forged and machined wheels, reducing weight by 1.9kg (4lbs). Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.
The Racing gold scheme colour of the rims denotes the extreme racing status.
Fairing and finish
The 1098 R and its ‘sister’ racing version have exactly the same profile as the 1098. Wind-tunnel development has enabled an excellent aerodynamic penetration to be obtained, which allows the rider to effortlessly take up a perfect racing stance. A number of fairing components are made in carbon fibre, highlighting once again the racing spirit of this powerful new twin-cylinder Ducati bike.
The best example of this is the magnificent single-seat tail fairing showing off all the attention to detail with which Borgo Panigale engineers and technicians have applied themselves to the project.
The new 1098 R stands out from the crowd for its ‘extreme’ look . note the number plate blisters on the front and tail fairings . the gold wheels rims and black anodized aluminium components, exactly like the F08 version that will race in Superbike.
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