By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs 1198 R Corse (MY2010)
2009 Ducati 1198 vs 1198 R Corse: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
You'll feel a fast-corner bump on the 2009 Ducati 1198 as a crisp message, and the trellis frame holds its line. The Ducati 1198 R Corse's Öhlins fork takes that hit up front, and it doesn't hide what the tire's doing. The front end keeps talking as speed climbs.
So which one do you buy?
The 1198 R Corse has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Edges it: 1198 R Corse
On a circuit, the 1198 R Corse feels a little sharper. Put it down to more suspension adjustment and a sportier chassis. The margin is thin, and setup can close it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: 1198 R Corse
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the 1198 R Corse. Thank better suspension and lighter steering for that. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The extra money doesn't buy a clear edge in value. Neither bike is the obvious better buy for the cash.
What makes each one tick
2009 1198
Out of a slow bend, the Ducati's V-twin slingshots off a wall of torque that doesn't fade as the revs build toward a wild top-end surge. The throttle doesn't ease in. At low speed the clip-ons take real muscle to turn, and the high seat pitches you onto the tank. There's real feel behind the Brembo lever's hard bite.
1198 R Corse
From low revs, the R Corse's L-twin shoves with real thrust. There's nothing soft in how the throttle answers, so a clumsy twist can loft the front wheel. Low clip-ons punish long street rides. Near the redline, the L-twin's rush won't let up.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1198 R Corse has the lower wet weight: 406 lb (184 kg) vs 432 lb (196 kg).
- The 1198 R Corse makes more peak power: 180 hp (132 kW) vs 169 hp (124 kW).
- The 1198 R Corse has the larger fuel tank: 4.8 US gal (18 L) vs 4.1 US gal (15.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Not its job: 1198 R Corse
Commuting is off the table for the 1198 R Corse, so it sits this one out.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Keeping running costs low
Sits this out: 1198 R Corse
Upkeep on the 1198 R Corse works by different rules, so it isn't rated here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2009 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
1198 R Corse
What owners say
Strengths
- Monstrous midrange and top-end power
- Powerful Brembo Monobloc brakes
- Race-bred Öhlins chassis
Trade-offs
- High maintenance costs
- Intimidating throttle response
- Uncompromising riding position
Known problems to check before you buy
2009 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.
1198 R Corse
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old 2009 1198 with a 15-year-old 1198 R Corse.
- 2009 1198
- about $10,000
- 1198 R Corse
- about $14,700
At 15 years old in the US market, the 2009 Ducati 1198 sits around $10,000 while the Ducati 1198 R Corse runs about $14,700. That's a $4,700 gap. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.3 in (820 mm)
- Displacement
- 1198 cc
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Top speed
- 185 mph (298 km/h)
- Fuel economy
- 27 mpg (US) / 8.56 L/100 km
- 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
| 2009 1198 | 1198 R Corse | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 432 lb (196 kg) | 406 lb (184 kg) |
| 2009 1198 | 1198 R Corse | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 90° V-twin | L-twin |
| Power | 169 hp (124 kW) | 180 hp (132 kW) |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 99 lb-ft (134 Nm) |
| 2009 1198 | 1198 R Corse | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2009 1198 | 1198 R Corse | |
|---|---|---|
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
