subject: Ducati 1198s Motorcycle Road Test [print this page] THE Ducati brand name alone conjures up many positive emotions. But riding the famous Italian firm's 1198S superbike moves you in a way that very few other production motorcycles can even hope to match. It's a truly fabulous and evocative machine that's guaranteed to heighten your mood significantly whenever you're with it. The Duke's always able to generate sensual levels of satisfaction.
There are many reasons why this sportsbike can get hold of you as much as it does. Its style, speed, technology and sheer sexiness are just some. All of those qualities were always apparent to me, and whatever my take on life before a ride it was always a much brighter one after just few minutes of being on board.
My first experience with the big V-twin probably highlighted much of what can be said about this magical machine. In fairness the majority of the favourable route I chose to ride it along suited it perfectly. And given the red beauty is a little fussy about where it performs at its best that helped to get my relationship with it off to a perfect start.
Starting the bike isn't actually necessary for the appreciation to begin mind you. The Duke is so classy all who walk by it give it a vote of approval. Such is the power of the Ducati brand name these days, that even the man in the street who has never even sat on a motorcycle in his life, knows what Ducati stands for. And being as chic, stylish and exclusive-looking as this thoroughbred is, it epitomises everything Ducati is all about.
Even as someone who's been fortunate enough to have sat on and ridden some very special motorcycles during my 13-years as a tester, I couldn't just climb onto the Latin lovely without taking a few minutes to examine its gorgeous lines more closely. It really is an example of art in metal. Every bit as stunning as the original and seminal 916, the 1198S could justifiably be purchased just to park in your front room as a piece of beautiful furniture. But as I was soon to discover, doing that would be a waste and only allow you to sample a small fraction of its engineering finery and massive emotive power.
I'm embarrassed to start the tale by admitting this really, but one of the very first feelings the Ducati generated in me was an elitist, almost snobby outlook. This bike really makes you act as though you're someone special, someone with extra credibility and clout. Seeing other motorcyclists instantly gave me the impression I was above them, someone with a greater rank in the motorcycle world. And though I absolutely hate that sort of attitude, I just couldn't stop the 1198S having that sort of effect on me. Very soon its truly exceptional performance would lift my 'superiority' complex still higher.
The superbike does have some drawbacks, and at times they cause anxiety, and occasionally even anger. But just like when you send a postcard home after the holiday of a lifetime, mentioning any negative issues is something you tend not to do first. So though I will tell you about them, I won't just yet.
Just a few miles from Coventry where the home of the Ducati press bikes is based, there's a great stretch of road that gives you the chance to examine the engine performance more fully. As expected, it didn't disappoint. You only have to consider a few basic facts to give yourself an idea of what the V-twin is capable of. One of them is something I've just given away already, the engine's configuration. But when you learn the typically torquey and flexible V-twin is making a heady 170bhp, challenged only by a claimed anorexic dry weight of just 169kilos, the picture becomes even clearer. Even so, to actually feel the full strength of its massive drive levels is way beyond your imagination.
The Duke has what seems at first like limitless amounts of power and torque everywhere in its rev range. The huge surge is generally delivered in a linear and well-mannered fashion. But start dropping your discipline levels by either yanking the throttle too hard or soon, or letting the revs climb too high, and you'll instantly be presented with other challenges to deal with. Going way over the speed limit, pulling involuntary wheelies, or earning general disapproval from other road users are all the sort of things you can expect if you don't keep calm and meter out the Ducati's potential more sensibly.
As I was to discover, the 1198S is a bike that needs respect and is definitely one more-suited to experienced riders. It's not unfriendly or savage, just very, very speed-capable.
As the miles went by and I turned off onto one of my most favourite A routes I got the chance to enjoy many of the other numerous qualities of this incredible bike. And though I'd already realised just how well the bike steered and braked, fuller appreciation of those features, and just how they blend in so well with the rest of the performance package, became all the more apparent.
Regular readers will know I've recently had the chance to test some of the Japanese flagship sportsbikes, and just how highly I rated them. But believe me, the Ducati feels even better than they do. The handling is especially remarkable and has a totally solid, sharp, almost laser-guided feel to it. You simply pick a line, and the Duke will follow your commands with ease, total security, and complete accuracy. OK, it's a fairly firm ride at the back end, and it will kick the wheel from the floor a little over rougher roads. But that's a price worth paying. And thanks to the quality of the Ohlins suspension and superb Pirelli tyres, you can sense every ripple and rut, allowing you to 'read' the road perfectly and feel completely 'at one' with the bike. The communication the Ducati gives is extraordinary, helping it to provide exquisite levels of control. You feel painted to the road.
Slowing the bike is just as composed with the front Brembo 'monobloc' calipers providing not only huge power, but exceptional levels of feel and feedback to boost braking confidence massively. No doubt the high level of control offered by the fairly plush Ohlins forks plays a part in this too, as does the exceptional grip of the front Pirelli tyre. The chassis is utterly fantastic and allows you to find levels of satisfaction you normally only dream of.
By the time I got home I was shivering with the excitement of it all, and couldn't wait to tell the world what I thought of this amazing bike. All my girlfriend got though was a gibbering account of adulation and adoration for the Duke which I simply couldn't blurt out fast enough. None of it made much sense to her until I calmed down though. Nor I suspect did any of the other subsequent wide-eyed and senseless rantings I seemed to confront people with following each of the many thrilling rides on the bike. This is a truly intoxicating machine that causes much excitement in its rider.
In time, I did calm down occasionally, though further mileage did give me the opportunity to consider another special feature of the Ducati, its traction control system. It's a very clever arrangement and yet another aid to make you feel even more safe and secure. With eight settings to choose from you can decide just how sensitive you want it to be. After sampling the anti-wheelspin system using the first three 'predictive' settings, I ended up selecting number 5 and left it there.
I have to admit the combination of only riding the Ducati on dry roads, and not having the courage to yank the throttle open hard and fast enough to trigger it, meant it largely went untried. I'd really need a track to examine it, but it's really assuring to know it's there to stop a high-side situation. To be fair and tell the whole story of the Ducati, I do need to add the bits about it that aren't quite so magical. It seems unfair to knock this wonderful machine in any way, but as usual with Italian bikes, there are some parts that could be improved. Firstly the mirrors, despite having some of the official extensions fitted to them, are woefully inadequate. At times they make the ride very risky and you need to either raise your hand from the bars completely to get a decent view behind, or bend your arms to see under them. The steering lock could be better, and the fact your hands get trapped between the bars and tank on full lock can be annoying. And attractive though the design of the tank is, its petite size means less than three-figure mileages before refills if you start using the engine performance more seriously. And that can be very irritating.
While I'm complaining I regrettably have to add that the riding position isn't always as comfortable as it could be, and though the protection from the screen is surprisingly good, the low bars tend to cause some aches and pains when you spend too much time at lower speeds.
However, just like the woman you love who occasionally nags a little too much, the Ducati can always be forgiven for its minor sins. It's an utterly fantastic bike that will have you loving life to the hilt any time you're in its company. The 1198S is a bike that's clearly been built for speed and is a little compromised outside that zone, but not many other bikes can touch it for sheer unadulterated satisfaction. 16,495GBP might be an almighty amount of money to pay for a motorcycle. But believe me, when you're riding it at least, the 1198S seems worth every penny and more. It's that special, and every mile on it is memorable.
