DUCATI 1198 (2011-2012) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2011, at the INTERMOT Motorcycle Show in Germany, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 1198, a sports machine that introduced several types of equipment as standard.

The 2011 Ducati 1198 was fitted with Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Quick Shifter (DQS), and Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA) as standard equipment. The DQS system marked the first time in history that quick-shift electronics were fitted to a production Ducati machine.

The bike was similar to its predecessor in the appearance department, with a full fairing, a small windscreen, twin eye-shaped headlights, a single seat, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, and ten-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.

The bike was brought to life by a 1,198cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine coupled to an electronically controlled fuel injection system, delivering an output power of 170 hp at 9,750 rpm and 132 Nm (97 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

The engine was coupled to a six-speed manual transmission with a dry multi-plate clutch and a final chain drive, pushing the bike to a top speed of 280 kph (174 mph).

The suspension system was operated by a 43 mm fully adjustable upside-down telescopic Ohlins fork on the front and a fully adjustable Showa shock absorber on the rear, delivering excellent handling.

The braking system was carried from its predecessor, with a 245 mm disc, a dual-piston caliper on the rear, and two 330 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front, delivering excellent stopping power.