Below is a video of a Ducati D16RR Dyno Run taken at Ducati Seattle. Thanks to Dave Roosevelt, owner, for allowing me access to video from inside the Dyno Room.

Max HP recorded for the day was 181.2 SAE at the rear wheel.

Ernesto Marinelli, Ducati Corse Superbike technical manager as well as the track engineer for Troy Bayliss, shares the secrets and technical differences of the new 1098 F08:

“The 1098 F08 is the closest a Ducati Superbike has ever been to a road-going ‘R’ version and represents a totally new design compared to the 999.

In accordance with the latest Superbike regulations, engine capacity has been increased 200cc and, while the engine of the 999 F07 was basically a prototype, the 1098 F08 is a production engine with very limited modifications. With changes restricted to pistons, camshafts and gearbox, our induction will also be limited by an air-restrictor that will initially be set at a diameter equivalent to 50 mm.

From Ducati.com:

The completely new machine follows Ducati’s principal of ‘evolution, not revolution’. We had reached a limit with the 999 and so took this as our starting point: to create a better bike by developing both the road and race versions on the track. The front suspension has 43mm pressurised TTX20 upside-down Öhlins forks and retains the same braking system (Brembo) used on the 999 F07. The frame is more than 1 kg lighter while maintaining the same rigidity. Rear suspension has seen bigger changes with a single-side aluminium swingarm and an Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber developed as per the road version.

Electronics involve the same fuel injection system, Magneti Marelli Marvel 4, with a new-generation of engine management derived from MotoGP, though incorporating elements from the road-going 1098 R, such as the Ducati Traction Control or DTC. This demonstrates the natural flow of our new technologies by developing advanced solutions first in MotoGP, then in Superbike and finally on our production bikes.”

This is one of the better videos of the 1098R being tested by MCN.

This is the first 1098R I’ve seen in person and I happened to be at Ducati Seattle today when one was being prepared. Lovely bike. Thanks Dave R at DucSea for letting me oohh and aww.

Sorry for the low quality pix as I only had my PDA phone with me.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Triple clamp has a stamp xxx/450 on it. Only 450 of these babies are sold in the US out of 3500 world wide. This one was number 20 something.

Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust installed. Comes with Race Exhaust also and ECU.

Black swingarm is beefier than stock 1098 and allows for a larger rear tire.

All bodwork is carbon fiber.