Having a budget meeting to hack out the price of a new (to me) bike with the missus. Just after some input from owners of which would be the better deal .... A 1098S or a standard 1198 ... These are around the same money it seems. Is the extra bling on the S worth a slightly older bike, or will the 1198 outperform the S ? Bikes not for track just 'progressive' street riding.
Ive not had a 1098, but I did have an 1198 base. I loved it. Its a monster. oem ohlins are only marginally better than base showa and if you get the base showa set up for you, then all the better. I dont think either will dissapoint, but my money would be on a base 1198. Esp in white.
I believe the bottom end bearing was fixed in the 1198. That's potentially a big saving. @cookster has a nice 1198 he is thinking of letting go. (I bet he'll regret it though).
I would say not. The 1198 ironed out the potential cash cow bombshell (bottom end bearing) of the 1098 so hands down would be the one to go for.
can't think if there is another thread but late 1098 had the later (better) main bearings but don't know if there is an accurate way of determining via VIN No/year of m.
you could be right, had a little search before posting but taking too long/nothing conclusive re: years of manufacture overlap.
My 1098 Streetfighter had an engine blueprint and it definitely has the 1198 crank cases with the better older style bearings. (Ducati tried a new type of main bearing on the 1098 SBK which was weak so they reverted to proven older ones for the 1198). As the 1098 SF has the 1198 crank cases - because they're lighter - they have the 1198 main bearings as well. Rich Llewellyn who split my 2010 SF engine was fully expecting to find the newer weaker SBK bearings fitted, therefore I would for safety assume that all 1098 SBKs have weak main bearings, regardless of year. If you want to actually ride the thing properly then unless you're prepared to face the cost of an engine build (it is much cheaper to do it before the bearings fail... and while you're in there you might as well blue print it - total cost in excess of £3000) buy the 1198. And even after tuning the 1198 has more torque: you can't beat cubes.
As others have said, the 1198 looks like a better bet with he stronger bottom end bearings. Personally I think I'd try and dig a bit deeper and get an 1198S just for the bling factor but either would be a good choice. They're the last of the "proper" Ducatis - trellis frame, under-seat exhausts, no/minimal electronic nannying. And now that the 1098R seems to be firmly in the "Collector's bike" category...
... The 1198s is still a bit out of reach unless I shelve the idea til next year. I do like the 1098s though - So even just fast road the bearings are no good, or is it only track bikes that suffer ?
