By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs 1098 S Tricolore (MY2007)
Ducati 1198 vs 1098 S Tricolore: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
You'll roll the throttle open on the Ducati 1198 and feel its V-twin swell into a towering surge that won't stop building. On the Ducati 1098 S Tricolore, that same twist of the wrist brings a muscular shove through the middle of the rev range. It stays refined as it rushes toward the top.
So which one do you buy?
The 1198 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: 1198
The 1198 nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. It's down to stronger brakes and harder acceleration. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
What makes each one tick
1198
Fast, sweeping roads are where this Ducati comes alive, its stiff trellis frame holding a line at speed while the bars feed back what the front tire's doing. Mid-corner bumps won't push it wide. The suspension soaks up each hit while the frame stays composed. The Brembos bite hard and keep talking.
1098 S Tricolore
There's a ferocious edge to the 1098 S Tricolore's L-twin, with thick grunt long before it reaches peak revs. Corner entry shows off its razor-sharp handling, with the front turning in the moment the bike leans. The bars don't need coaxing. Its single-sided swingarm leaves the rear wheel bare.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1198 makes more peak power: 169 hp (124 kW) vs 160 hp (118 kW).
- The 1198 makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) vs 90 lb-ft (122 Nm).
- The 1198 has the larger engine: 1198 cc vs 1099 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Neither of these is a mile-muncher. If big days are the plan, keep looking.
These two run dead level on track days, commuting, and running costs. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
1198
What owners say
Strengths
- Monstrous, characterful V-twin engine
- Sublime chassis and high-speed stability
- Timeless, exotic Italian design
- Powerful, race-spec Brembo brakes
Trade-offs
- High ownership and maintenance costs
- Punishing ergonomics and heavy steering
- Snatchy stock fueling and no electronic rider aids
1098 S Tricolore
What owners say
Strengths
- Charismatic and powerful engine
- Stunning design and exclusivity
Trade-offs
- Lacks modern electronics
Known problems to check before you buy
1198
- Fuel line leak at injector connection Recall 09V170000 A recall (NHTSA campaign 09V170000) affects 2009 1198 and 1198 S models where the plastic fuel line fitting at the injector can warp or crack, causing a fuel leak and fire risk.
1098 S Tricolore
- Voltage regulator failure / engine stalling Recall 08V638000 Excessive heat damages the voltage regulator, leading to battery discharge, loss of electrical power, and sudden engine stalling. A recall (NHTSA 08V-638) fitted a redesigned regulator, heat shield, and modified battery support.
- Engine stalling at idle Early production models commonly stall when coming to a stop, especially during the initial break-in period.
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.3 in (820 mm)
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 9,750 rpm
- Peak torque at
- 8,000 rpm
- Fuel capacity
- 4.1 US gal (15.5 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 330 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1198 | 1098 S Tricolore | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 432 lb (196 kg) | 434 lb (197 kg) |
| 1198 | 1098 S Tricolore | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 1099 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | L-twin |
| Power | 169 hp (124 kW) | 160 hp (118 kW) |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 90 lb-ft (122 Nm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
