By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs KTM 1190 RC8 (MY2008)
Ducati 1198 vs KTM 1190 RC8: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Into a fast sweeper the Ducati 1198 settles on its stiff frame, and it's talking through the bars all the way. On the KTM 1190 RC8, the downshift before turn-in doesn't always find the next gear. Dialed in, it wraps tightly around your body.
So which one do you buy?
The 1190 RC8 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: 1190 RC8
The 1190 RC8 should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: 1190 RC8
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the 1190 RC8 pulls a nose in front. What tips it: simpler maintenance. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Racetrack use
A touch ahead: 1190 RC8
For a day at the track, the 1190 RC8 makes slightly more sense. The reason: better suspension.
What makes each one tick
1198
Out of a slow corner the Ducati's twin slingshots off a wall of torque, and it doesn't let up as the top-end rush arrives. At speed, a bump mid-corner doesn't unsettle the fork. The chassis holds its line. At walking pace, it's heavy to steer. The Brembo lever bites hard and keeps its feel.
1190 RC8
Off the track, there's homework waiting on the 1190 RC8's charging system and its adjustable controls. Heavy city use is where the electrical system shows its weakness. Move just the footpegs without touching the levers and controls, and the whole ergonomic setup falls out of sync. Once it's set up, the throttle can open while the bike's still leaned over. There's no surge, no step. Before slow street corners, the shift lever often stays put.
Nils rode the 1190 RC8 in Styria in 2008, and in Spain in 2025 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1190 RC8 has the lower seat: 31.7 in (805 mm) vs 32.3 in (820 mm).
- The 1198 makes more peak power: 169 hp (124 kW) vs 155 hp (114 kW).
- The 1198 makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) vs 89 lb-ft (120 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither one fits
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Don't look for a gap on twisty roads: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
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
1190 RC8
Strengths
- Feedback you can trust
- Planted in fast sweepers
- Tourable for a supersport
- Characterful V-twin power delivery with strong midrange
Trade-offs
- No electronic safety net
- Down on straight-line power
- Fussy at crawling speeds
- Limited dealer network compared to Japanese rivals
- No ABS or electronic rider aids
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.
1190 RC8
- Regulator/rectifier failure The voltage regulator/rectifier on early RC8 units is known to overheat and fail, causing charging-system issues and occasional battery problems. Aftermarket Mosfet-style replacements are a common owner remedy.
- Fuel pump and fuel system noise/failure Some owners report fuel pump whining or premature failure, occasionally accompanied by fuel-pressure related running issues.
- Front-end shimmy/headshake under hard acceleration Owners and tester reports note that the chassis can exhibit headshake when accelerating hard out of corners on bumpy surfaces, even with the standard steering damper.
- Clutch slave cylinder leaks The hydraulic clutch slave cylinder is reported to develop seal weeping over time, requiring rebuild or replacement.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak torque at
- 8,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 1148 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | 75° V-twin |
| Power | 169 hp (124 kW) | 155 hp (114 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,750 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 89 lb-ft (120 Nm) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
