Ducati's new 1098R

 If you’ve had enough of the Ducati 999 or even the 1098 for that matter, check this out. The Ducati 1098R is no ordinary bike and will be the steed of choice for Troy Bayliss. Max Biaggi joins him at the factory Ducati racing team for the WSBK championship next year. The ‘R’ is actually the bike that bent the rules allowing twins up to 1200cc compete against litre-class inline fours. The new 1098R thus becomes the most powerful and lightest twin-cylinder bike ever produced in the Borgo Panigale factory.

The 1098R comes with a race kit complete with its ECU teamed up with the DTC (Ducati Traction Control) system. Fitted for the first time to a production Ducati bike, the DTC an eight-mode mapping device, which is controlled by the rider through the MotoGP-specced instrument display. Power is upped from the 1098’s 160PS to 186PS in the fully blown race trim, aided by the extra capacity of 100cc.
The engine has been made lighter and so is the exhaust. White background number plate blisters on the front and tail fairings complete the racer look. While gold coloured wheels distinguish it from its smaller siblings.