2010–2011 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
Italian Thunder, Surgical Precision
This is the last high-water mark of Ducati's trellis-frame superbike line, dressed in Corse colors and built around the Testastretta Evoluzione. The 1198 cc L-twin makes 170 hp at 9,750 rpm and 97 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm, and it carries that torque so low in the rev range that the bike pulls hard long before it starts screaming. The S Corse spec matters: fully adjustable premium suspension front and rear, a slipper clutch, an up-shifter, a steering damper, and traction control. Wet weight sits at 423 lb, and the whole package tops out at 185 mph.
On the road and on track it rewards commitment. Lean clearance is enormous, the chassis reads the surface clearly through the bars, and the feedback is honest enough that you know exactly where the front is loaded. The 32.3 in seat and race-focused riding position aren't built for slow miles, and 27 mpg from a 4.8 gal tank means you plan your stops. There's no ABS, so braking is entirely on you. This one is for a rider with real skill who wants a superbike that feels handmade rather than mass-produced, and who accepts that ownership means keeping ahead of the electrical gremlins.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 170 hp (125 kW) @ 9,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (132 Nm) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 1198 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 330 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.3 in (1430 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 423 lb (192 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 gal (18 L) |
| Top speed | 185 mph (298 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 27 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Drivetrain
Safety
The first thing that hits you is the noise. The L-twin thumps and cracks through the airbox at a pitch nothing else makes, and at low revs you feel each firing pulse through the tank and pegs before it smooths out and turns into a hard, mechanical shove. The riding position is uncompromising: high pegs, long reach to the bars, weight on your wrists at anything under 50 mph. Once you're moving, that reversal happens fast, and wind pressure takes the load off your arms. The suspension is firm without being brutal, and it tells you what the tires are doing in real detail. Bumps come through, but as information rather than punishment. After an hour you feel it in your back and neck. That's the price of admission, and it's obvious from the first mile.
What follows isn't my riding impression. It's what has come back to me over the years from people who own these bikes: paddock conversations, club nights, and the notes riders send me directly. On the 1198 S Corse the feedback is unusually settled, and it keeps circling the same few strengths and the same few frictions.
Brakes come up first in most conversations, and owners talk about the feel as much as the force. The engine is right behind: riders describe torque arriving from idle and passes that need no build-up. Suspension is the third constant, rated for the detail it feeds back and for the way it keeps its shape over bad pavement. Fewer owners lead with the styling, though those who do keep returning to the Corse finish and the aluminum tank.
Fuel range never leaves the list. Owners describe stopping more often than they would like, and a hard session shortens the interval further. Throttle response comes up next, mostly from riders new to a big twin, who needed time before the instant drive stopped catching them out. The stance closes it: little grumbling while the pace is high, plenty once the day runs long.
Sprag clutch failure due to weak battery
The sprag clutch is susceptible to damage if the battery is not fully charged, causing harsh noises during starting and potential engine damage.
Voltage regulator/rectifier failure
The regulator/rectifier can overheat and fail, leading to charging system problems, a flickering dashboard, or a dead battery.
Fuel pump relay failure
The fuel pump relay is a known weak point that can fail without warning, causing the engine to cut out and failing to restart.
Radiator leaking at mounting point
Some owners report coolant leaks from the top left mounting point of the radiator, requiring repair or replacement.
Clutch slave cylinder seal weeping
The clutch slave cylinder can develop a leak, leading to reduced clutch effectiveness and fluid loss.
Where this Ducati 1198 S Corse pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the 1198 S Corse is actually built for.
On Angeles Crest it's magnificent, and the torque means you're not chasing revs between corners. The riding position punishes you in LA traffic on the way there, so plan the route around that.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
For lapping a closed circuit this is a proper weapon: huge lean clearance, adjustable race suspension, and feedback you can build on. Just know there's no ABS and traction control is the only rider aid.
Made for Barber Motorsports Park · WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Circuit of the Americas
The chassis precision and front-end feel suit tight Appalachian work perfectly. But 97 lb-ft on a damp Dragon needs a careful throttle hand, and the short range means fuel stops shape your day.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2007–2008
160 Horses of Pure Sound
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati 1198 S Corse. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2010–2013
The V4 With No Safety Net
Roughly $4,200 cheaper used than this bike at 15 yr
Competitor · 2009–2018
The Top-End That Won't Quit
Roughly $2,700 cheaper used than this bike at 15 yr
Competitor · 2009–2011
The Crossplane Traction Machine
Same Platform · 2009–2011
Thunder, Beauty, No Apologies
Roughly $1,900 cheaper used than this bike at 15 yr