By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Ducati 1198 (MY2009) vs MV Agusta F4 1000 R (MY2012)
Ducati 1198 vs MV Agusta F4 1000 R: fast is a given. What sets them apart isn't.
You'll feel the gap at turn-in: the Ducati 1198 settles onto its line through a fast sweeper and won't budge from it. The MV Agusta F4 1000 R tips in off a light touch on the bar. Its front end reports exactly where the tire's working.
So which one do you buy?
The 1198 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: 1198
On the way to work, the 1198 asks a little less of you. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
The F4 1000 R has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Nose ahead: F4 1000 R
On a circuit, the F4 1000 R feels a little sharper. Put it down to more suspension adjustment. The margin is thin, and setup can close it.
What makes each one tick
1198
Torque slingshots the Ducati out of corners, and there's no letup as the revs rise. The stock throttle doesn't ease in. Smooth exits won't come without a skilled right hand. At speed, the trellis frame holds the bike dead still.
F4 1000 R
High in the revs, the F4 1000 R's short-stroke four spins up freely and surges hard. In crawling traffic, it's miserably hot. Even with the brake lever pulled tight into a bend, the chassis keeps telling you what the rubber's doing. The four pipes under the seat howl as revs climb.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 1198 has the lower wet weight: 432 lb (196 kg) vs 463 lb (210 kg).
- The F4 1000 R makes more peak power: 195 hp (143 kW) vs 169 hp (124 kW).
- The 1198 makes more peak torque: 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) vs 84 lb-ft (114 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
They come out level on twisty roads and running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
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
F4 1000 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Stunning, iconic Italian design
- Exhilarating top-end engine rush
- Superb, communicative handling
Trade-offs
- Poor heat management
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.
F4 1000 R
- Overheating in traffic The high-compression engine lacks sufficient cooling airflow at low speeds, causing temperatures to spike. Some owners fit aftermarket metal fan blades to improve cooling.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 190/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 1198 | F4 1000 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 432 lb (196 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| 1198 | F4 1000 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1198 cc | 998 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | Inline-four |
| Power | 169 hp (124 kW) | 195 hp (143 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,750 rpm | 13,000 rpm |
| Torque | 97 lb-ft (131 Nm) | 84 lb-ft (114 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,000 rpm | 9,100 rpm |
| 1198 | F4 1000 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.1 US gal (15.5 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
