DUCATI 1198S (2008

Version: 1198S

Year: 2010

Looks great and sounds amazing. It’s not comfy economical or reliable but when she’s running it’s fab. Old school charm in spades and plenty of stomp if you want it.

Rides beautifully brakes are strong, can run wide on corner exit on track but these are not the quickest way round a track anyway. If u want lap times buy a 10.

Midrange is still strong today. Happy to lift the front in 3rd and stomp its way around the track. Gets very hot for your privates mind.

Mine has been good in the main only had to push her home once and that was an old battery.

They are not cheap to run servicing is expensive, breakdowns regular and consumables like tyres don’t last long.

For their age equipment is first rate.

Buying experience: Purchased from Blade Ducati, great bike and experience

Version: 1198

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £300

Shocking performance.... A bike which you park up and everyone stops and comments how beautiful it is.

Don't ever take a passenger... Unless they are in to S&M... They will also make it wheelie in 4th gear... And in capable to gun it hard in 1st and 2nd. Its surprisingly comfortable and roomy. You need to stop every 100mls for fuel and I'm not knackered after 200 miles on her. Brakes are out of this world.

It's just incredible. 100mph wheelies in 3rd...sooo much tourque it makes it a blast on b roads but she will expect you to have some balls and be no novice!

Built with quality parts that all fit perfectly. Drop a star on reliability as the clutch basket retaining nut come loose at 3000miles. Small job to fix.. But left me with no clutch!

Belts every other year.. Oil every season... Tyres.... Every 2000 rear... 3500 front. I have got 40mpg at 85 on motorway.. But on back roads.. You'll be convinced its got a hole in the tank!

Everything you need is there. If you want a USB charger... Maybe wrong bike for you. Stick with perelli diabolo sp.

Buying experience: There's a few out there and they are appriciating in value. Buy one... Before you die!!

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £400

I have always been a superbike rider, this is the only one that ticks all the boxes. Handles like riding on rails. Never let me down. Worst feature... Only 84 miles between fuel stops, makes planning longer journeys tricky. I would love an aluminium tank with more capacity. Ducati traction control makes me nervous when it cuts in, so I turn it off, keeps me sharp, focused and respectful.

About 50 miles I've had enough. Pillion 20 miles!! In the middle of summer, waiting at traffic lights, motor temp hits 106C fans come on and start to fry my manhood ! Brembo brakes, one finger stoppie, can't beat that.

Motor exceeds my nerve by a country mile...

Dry open Clutch needs tender loving care. When noise gets unbearable, replace the basket and plates. Frame had weld spatter on, which I failed to notice when looking over the bike before purchasing. Rust then started to appear on the high spots. Known issue with Ducati, but they failed to take their mistake on the chin. Disappointing to say the least.

Depends on whether it's a timing belt service. Budget on £600

Awesome motor, and the sound of it. Pirelli Super corsa SC2 makes it even more fun.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. £10,500 Feb 2013 No intention of selling.

I've had my 1198 since 2010 . It's awesome I've done over 20,000 miles on it.The only downside is the fuel capacity. It doesn't do many miles before the fuel light comes on.But I've riiden it to Mugello and back, over 3600 miles in ten days and it's a great bike for long trips. 5250 revs 100 mph.Easy cruising. The other problem was rubbish main dealer sevicing ! Eventually took the bike to a specialist and he found lots of things that were NEVER done by the main dealer. So, don't believe what everyone syas That "You must get a Ducati with full history" I think One tha's been looked after by it's owner or specialist serviced is far far better.It's the most torquy bike around and has got MASSIVE mid range grunt.

I've been riding v twins for quite a few year now (rsv mille, sp2) and bought a 1198 this year. The big duke really is light years ahead of anything i've had before. Acceleration when using all the revs from second gear can only be decribed as ferocious and trying to keep the front wheel on the deck is impossible. The engine is stunning with power all through the revs, as with all big twins there is a big lump of torque lower down and firing out of corners is great. The handling light, responsive and forgiving with a front end like nothing i've ever ridden, so much feedback. The brakes are 4 pot radial brembo's up front, we all know how good they are, two finger braking is enough to have your eyeballs popping out. For a race rep the comfort is surprisingly good, it's by no means a sports tourer though and motorway miles take their toll on your wrists but you don't buy a 1198 for touring do you??? The looks of the bike are by far the best in the class (in my biased opinion) with not a bad angle to see. the only bike that comes close in looks is the mv agusta f4. Overall the Duacti 1198 is a superb performance motorcycle that will excite you as soon as you open the garage door. As MCN say, everybody should experience one of these bikes once in their life.

Absolutely perfect bike. Every detail (from brakes to frame to engine) is great and has its own character which one enjoys and appreciates through time.

I've had my white 1198 for about 9 months. It's winter now so the bike was put away 2 months ago with 12,000km on it. It's served me well so far with the only issue being a leaking radiator at the top left hard mounting point. This is a common issue with a large percentage of 1098/1198 bikes. It's failed to start a couple of times due to the flaky antenna for the imobilizer, wiggle the antenna and it seems to fix itself. Other than that is has been bullet proof so far. I don't baby it and wrote it for 15 solid hours from Toronto to Deals Gap this summer. I'll report back on season 2.