Hello. Reason for asking is because I'm looking to get one and just would appreciate help understanding the realities of running a 1198 for regular trackdays. i.e. Are there any weak areas for the bike? Someone mentioned gearboxes? What regular maintenance is required? Best prep / mods for the track? I have a GSXR at the moment and even though its 14 years old, I don't need to do anything apart from oil changes and clean the air filter. Would I be in for a shock with the 1198?
I had an 1198S for 2 years bought from new, no issues, used it on track once the 600 mile service was done, Gearbox was fine using an HM quickshifter(needs set up though), Mods for the track i wouldnt be without are- 1)Proper suspension set up and put Ktech or Ohlins race kit in the front if you can, 2)Slipper clutch, I've just got a Sigma race fitted after years of using Ducati Corse, much smoother , 3)Quick action throttle 4)14T front sprocket As for maintenance it depends how many miles you do, if its a lot of track miles of course you'll need to service it more often to keep it in optimum shape, I can honestly tell you from experience Ducati's are no more problematic than anything else, I've had a 999,1098S,1198S and now a 1098R , All of them lived on the track and all I've had to deal with was a blown fuse and a failed oil pressure switch , There must be over 10,000 track miles between those bikes so thats a pretty good testament to their reliability , What i have seen are issues when people tune the nuts off the bike,pistons ,cams etc or add aftermarket electronics such as quickshifters as setting up can be a real pain but that's not really an issue with the bike itself, Cheers.
Thanks. That's good to know! I will be buying a used bike - fits with my budget. Not interested in tuning, but likely a quick shifter and power commander. However, will look for an initial good inspection and service on anything bought. Don't like revving bikes to their limiter - so fairly easy on any engines. Do they have a configurable change up light, or aftermarket version to fit? Also, I would look for race plastics and crash bobbins. Where the best place for bodywork? I'd rather keep originals in as best condition as possible. With the front suspension, it still needs the kit - even with the S model?
If your going for a QS the HM gets the best feedback for reliability and ease of set up, Something that helped me is to change to race pattern,one up five down , Dead easy to adjust the lever, As you know you have to set up the sensitivity of the switch , i found it was easier to replicate the shift tapping pressure on the lever down through the gears rather than hooking my toe under and trying to pull it up, especially when the bike is leaned over etc , on road pattern i kept getting false neutrals and crunching gears , i had so many problems i switched it off, i was then advised to change to race and it was a lot easier, The dash has a set of 4 or 5 red lights ,the harder you rev the more lights come on so you can change up with just one or 2 lights on and you'll be going easy on the engine,they also indicate how much traction control your using on the S I wouldn't bother with a PC unless your tuning the bike , if the bike has termignoni's they are developed with the factory, either slip on or full system will come with an ecu, they are always on the button, I've never heard of a complaint about fueling with the termi system & ecu, I'm not sure about other brands, Akra, Arrow etc, someone with those pipes would have to advise you, I bought some cheap ebay made in china race plastics , they looked lovely but the fit was awful and they were so brittle they disintegrated on impact , I think the best thing to do is buy used Ducati fairings on ebay, they are cheap, and they will fit properly,you cant beat the quality of OE fairings , For crash protection i use the R&G aero , front fork and swing arm protectors, they do one for the rear wheel but it stops you being able to use the single side paddock stand as it bolts through the rear wheel spindle, The standard Ohlins in the front of the bike is alright, however i took some good advice and got the race springs & valves fitted and it felt like a different bike , now i find suspension a bit like black magic ,however in my experience it made the bike handle so much better, The 1198 is such a good bike everywhere else a decent suspension set up is the first thing i would spend money on , you dont know what the previous owner did or what weight they were so its the first place to go,if its not handling properly you'll never get the best out of it. I'd definitely go for the S as the traction control is a nice wee safety net to have,and you'll be amazed at the front brakes on the 1198 , Good luck .
I would say a slipper clutch is essential on track, they are not the easiest of bikes to ride fast and not locking the rear wheel is one less thing to worry about. Always keep a spare new set of clutch plates in your spares kit as they wear at an alarming rate when you use them hard, you can mix and match part worn and new plates along with 1.5mm & 2.0mm steels to keep the clutch stack height correct so the new clutch plates last longer. Suspension setup is a personal thing, I'm still using the standard Ohlins front and a softer rear spring and loads more rear ride height, but its all still a learning curve. Good luck, kev.
I think there are easier bikes to ride on track, but that might be your thing riding the harder bike. I think an 848 corse is the best track bike (899 excluded) there is one on ebay at the moment with track bodywork and some of the mods you are talking about. I agree with the point above about fairings though, I managed to get a full set of OEM panels and a tank and the fit and durability of them is so far above pattern ones. If you can't find them, CRC get my vote.
that fo42 has been around a while and is a loverly bit of kit...i wonder if its still owned by jimbers...
Ive tracked my 1198. What Kev says is my experience too. The slipper clutch is a must, otherwise i find I get too much engine braking slowing my entry. Making it a point and squirt rather than carrying speed through the corner.
#3 , Deffo Slipper clutch, even more so if your coming from inline 4's , lots of engine braking to deal with.
Thanks chaps. That has been really helpful. Ducatisti1098 - are you racing or just TDs? Re: The gear changer to race pattern. This might help solve the current problem with the GSXR. Does exactly what you are saying - crunching etc and has dropped back down once during a short-shift - which was a lively experience. I've stopped using it, but will now go back and change the lever to race as see how I get on. You are right about suspension. Its what I focus the money on - suspension & tyres - this is where I get all the fun (or frustration!). I agree - changes the character of the bike and find once set up right the lap times drop without actually trying to go faster. Silverstone was a whole 10s after 100% suspension did their stuff (and that was still taking it easy as the oil light was flashing). Also, to keep up with the newer 1 litres I can only focus on the braking and corners. I only mention the PC, as I fitted it to the GSXR more for a linear power curve to match the exhaust, rather than more power. Makes firing out of corners more controllable (no wild slides!). I was thinking the same with the Ducati, but maybe twins don't have that type of issue to consider. Also, never thought of a slipper clutch. Never used one, so that is interesting, and intrigued how the 1198 will feel on track with aggressive engine braking. I take the point about the 848. This was another option (more around a 675 Daytona), but eyes are firmly on the 1198.
Hello mate, I'm just TDing but I done the race on the last day at Almeria in March with Tracksense, Different buzz altogether,I was shitting my pants lined up on the grid , loved it though so I'm trying to get my race license, I've missed the last 2 events at my local track due to working offshore unfortunately, I've got my bike ready, lockwired etc, I should be home for a meeting in September so fingers crossed and I'll enter the novice race, I agree the suspension is the first place to look at, but some proper instruction is the best money I've spent i think, Slipper clutch is a deffo, it will let you bang down the box & utilise that engine braking without the rear wheel trying to overtake you , Have you got a bike in mind ? Post it up once you get one, Cheers.
I won't be buying immediately. Just doing my homework to confirm if it is, or isn't, the right choice and to know exactly what I'm getting into. Until then, I'm saving up. But with a big house renovation going on, saving will be slow this year so likely to be 2015. Only got back into bikes again last couple of years and the 750 has got me thinking I need more! So I'm looking at what I really desire, rather than what's affordable at the time. I love the 750, and it is a very capable track bike, but it's not my ultimate. Good luck for September - there's no buzz like it. I'm toying with the idea of endurance racing at some point. Plenty of bike time - not so manic. Hope to go to Almeria this October with FE.
Im starting soon on my 1098, 1st session is booked at Brands but also hoping to do some Spanish days later in the year !
I'll post up on the track / race section when I'm booked. It's the best value for money IMO. May see you there!
I rode the 848 and decided it just wasn't quick enough top end, went for 1198. Have had it 2 year nearly spent £1000s keeping it running, but it's a well sorted bike now. Did have it up for sale but now going to use it in Aragon/Almeria, may sell when I come back, there's a thread in bikes for sale, it's Kawasaki green ! Managed low 52's laps at knockhill last year before rebuild. Very unfit person and don't get a lot of track time. So with a capable rider it would be possible to get down to the low 50's round Knockhill on a more or less stock 1198 wi Sticky tyres on !!
I did see this for sale. It is interesting that so much was spent to keep it running - or was that mods? Any reason behind selling it? Looks well sorted - but I'd review the paint scheme :Artist:.
I only had bike for a few months, done 500m and crankcases cracked inbetween crank & gearbox ! (Common prob wi standard cases) So bought a new pair of 1098r cases from Riders, whilst apart added a set of titanium rods too, done 3 race meets up at knockhill last year setting clubman lap record, started missing gears at last race meet and finding false neutrals. So got the engine rebuilt beginning of this year by moto rapido (new gearbox) and remapped ecu as it was running quite rich, got extra 6hp as result and 170RwHp Done 2 days in Almeria, 2 days at knockhill, 1 day at cadwell, bike now with focused, 3 days at Aragon & 4 at Almeria coming up !-) May sell for 9kish when I come back
