By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs KTM 1190 RC8 R (MY2010)
Ducati 1198 vs KTM 1190 RC8 R: one garage spot. Here's what should decide it.
Hit a ripple halfway through a fast bend on the Ducati 1198, and the bike doesn't budge from its line while the frame keeps talking. The KTM 1190 RC8 R's WP fork meets the hit firmly and doesn't go soft as you push harder. Its damping still won't fade after a full day.
So which one do you buy?
The 1190 RC8 R has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Nose ahead: 1190 RC8 R
On a closed course, the 1190 RC8 R edges ahead. Credit more feel through the bars and a sportier chassis. Not by enough to settle it.
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: 1190 RC8 R
The 1190 RC8 R is a touch easier on the wallet to run. Condition still matters more than the model.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: 1190 RC8 R
The 1190 RC8 R makes slightly more sense as a commuter. It's down to lower running costs and easier everyday riding. Don't read much into a gap this small.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: 1190 RC8 R
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the 1190 RC8 R. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
Which one's the smarter buy
Even on value
Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money. The used prices sit close enough that the choice comes down to what you want to ride.
What makes each one tick
1198
The Ducati's V-twin slams towering torque into the rear tire, and there's nothing gentle about the shove. The brake lever's just as serious: the Brembo monoblocs bite hard and there's real feel right through the stop. Slow hairpins take real muscle. Then the Testastretta's top end piles on a second rush.
1190 RC8 R
On a climbing chicane, the 1190 RC8 R's chassis presses you into the turn like a roller coaster's banking and carries you around. The uphill double-right at Mugello runs skyward with surface irregularities and tolerates all the commitment you can throw at it. The RC8-R has the pull at corner exit, but it asks for more concentration than a smooth-revving four-cylinder. On a long Alpine climb, where thin air saps output, the 75-degree twin answers the throttle and doesn't stop pulling cleanly through the gears. Every gear change announces itself. There's room behind the bars for your forearms.
Nils rode the 1190 RC8 R in 2010, and in Andalusia in 2011 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1190 RC8 R has the lower seat: 31.7 in (805 mm) vs 32.3 in (820 mm).
- The 1198 makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) vs 91 lb-ft (123 Nm).
- The 1190 RC8 R has the larger fuel tank: 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) vs 4.1 US gal (15.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
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 R
Strengths
- Notably Light For Its Class
- Constant Front-End Feedback
- Least-Punishing Supersport Cockpit
- Holds Pace All Day
- Strong, character-rich V-twin mid-range
Trade-offs
- Fussy At Low RPM
- Stiff Even At Softest
- Heavy Clutch Pull
- Significant engine heat to the rider
- Firm, narrow seat limits long-distance use
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 R
- Hydraulic clutch slave cylinder seal failure The clutch slave cylinder seal can degrade and weep fluid, causing a soft lever and eventual clutch disengagement issues; replacement of the slave-cylinder assembly is the common fix.
- Fuel pump reliability Owners report intermittent in-tank fuel pump failures presenting as hard starting, low-rpm cutting out or pump electrical-noise complaints; replacement under warranty is typical when caught early.
- Regulator/rectifier heat-related failure The voltage regulator/rectifier is known to overheat and fail on early RC8 R units, leading to charging-system warning lights and eventual battery drain; uprated aftermarket units are a common owner remedy.
- Cam chain tensioner noise on cold start Some owners report audible rattle from the cam chain tensioner area on cold start, usually traced to the hydraulic tensioner; updated parts are available from KTM dealers.
- Rear shock linkage bearing wear The rear linkage bearings can develop play if servicing intervals are missed, manifesting as a clunk over bumps and degraded rear damping; preventive regreasing every ~9,321 mi (15,000 km) is widely recommended.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old 1198 with a 15-year-old 1190 RC8 R.
- 1198
- about $10,000
- 1190 RC8 R
- about $9,400
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 169 hp (124 kW)
- 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 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 1195 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | 75° V-twin |
| Peak power at | 9,750 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 91 lb-ft (123 Nm) |
| Top speed | 185 mph (298 km/h) | 174 mph (280 km/h) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 27 mpg (US) / 8.56 L/100 km | 36 mpg (US) / 6.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.4 US gal (16.5 L) |
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 330 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 1198 | 1190 RC8 R | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
