By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs 999 (MY2005)
Ducati 1198 vs 999: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Into a fast sweeper, the Ducati 1198's stiff frame holds its line and doesn't squirm as you tip in. The Ducati 999's chassis talks back all through turn-in.
So which one do you buy?
The 1198 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Slight edge: 1198
For track days, the 1198 comes out a touch ahead. What tips it: stronger brakes. Your setup and tires matter just as much.
What makes each one tick
1198
Out of a slow corner, the big V-twin piles on torque in one long shove that slingshots the bike down the next straight. On stock fueling the throttle can snatch as it cracks open, and it won't smooth out without a skilled right hand. The tall seat folds you over the bars. At parking-lot speeds, they won't swing without real muscle. The Testastretta thunders up top.
999
Down low, the Desmo twin booms out an addictive grunt that doesn't let up until a fiery rush near the top. The reach to the bars is relaxed, and the rearsets aren't extreme. There's clear progression in the brake lever's travel. The Brembos haul it down hard.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 999 has the lower seat: 30.7 in (780 mm) vs 32.3 in (820 mm).
- The 1198 makes more peak power: 169 hp (124 kW) vs 140 hp (103 kW).
- The 1198 makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) vs 80 lb-ft (108 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
These two run dead level on commuting, twisty roads, 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
999
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional handling and feedback
- Thrilling, characterful V-twin engine
- Surprisingly comfortable for a sportbike
Trade-offs
- Expensive, frequent servicing
- Quirky, unreliable electrics
- Unforgiving ride quality on bumpy roads
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.
999
- Fuel pump relay failure The relay, located in the same vulnerable area as the harness, frequently fails, cutting fuel delivery and causing the engine to stall.
- Front ignition coil corrosion Road spray and dampness corrode the front coil, leading to misfiring and poor running.
- Fuel filter clogging from internal tank rust Rust flakes form inside the steel fuel tank and lodge in the filter, causing a progressive loss of power and potential fuel starvation.
- Wiring harness corrosion near battery box Heat and water ingress cause the wiring harness around the battery to corrode, leading to intermittent electrical faults and potential non‑starts.
What they share
- 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 tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1198 | 999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Wet weight | 432 lb (196 kg) | 439 lb (199 kg) |
| 1198 | 999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 998 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | L-twin |
| Power | 169 hp (124 kW) | 140 hp (103 kW) |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) |
| 1198 | 999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 27 mpg (US) / 8.56 L/100 km | 29 mpg (US) / 8.07 L/100 km |
| 1198 | 999 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
