2011 Ducati 1198SP

2011 Ducati 1198SP

The incredible 1198 SP is powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 170hp (125kW) @ 9,750rpm and a class-beating 97lb-ft (13.4kgm) of torque @ 8,000 rpm. The 1198 SP achieves its capacity by using exactly the same 106 x 67.9 bore and stroke as the factory race bike.

Volumetric efficiency through the four valves per cylinder is optimized with valve diameters at 43.5mm for the inlet and 35.5mm for the exhaust. They are actuated by racing-type rocker arms, ‘super- finished’ for reduced friction and fatigue, and double overhead camshafts with radical profiles.

The incredible valve performances achieved are only possible because of Ducati’s unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring.

The race-designed 1198 pistons have a distinctive double-ribbed undercrown to achieve high strength and reduced friction by using minimal piston wall surface area. Using technology developed for the Desmosedici MotoGP project, the design enables reliable operation of the 106mm diameter pistons when performing at high rpm.

Performance

Stunning ‘SP’ performance: the 168kg (370.3lb) (dry weight) 1198 SP creates a dream package by taking everything that the 1198 model has, including DTC, DDA and the new DQS systems, and adding top-of-the-range Öhlins suspension, lightweight chassis components, a lightweight factory team-style aluminum fuel tank and slipper clutch. The high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac.

Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tyre-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control.

The suspension set-up at the rear is complemented with a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX rear shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive and traction. The front-to-rear Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.

The 1198 SP addresses this important area by mounting 7-spoke Marchesini forged and machined wheels. Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fiber front fender. The 1198 SP weighs in at 1kg (2.2lb) less than the 2010 1198 S thanks to the beautifully made lightweight fuel tank, which also boosts the bike’s fuel capacity by 2.5 liters (0.66 US gal) to 18 liters (4.75 US gal).

Superbike Chassis

The 1198 SP chassis and suspension are the result of a ‘performance-first’ priority approach to development, in which the goal is always to further reduce weight and increase strength and rigidity to manage the high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engines.

Trellis Frame

Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm. The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducati’s lightest frame solutions ever. Adding style to performance, both schemes of the 1198 SP are finished in red.

Front Suspension

The 1198 features spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction titanium nitride-treated sliders are used on the 1198 SP. The front suspension solutions have radial brake caliper mountings providing superior road holding and incredible feedback to give every rider more confidence and control.

Rear Suspension

The lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided swingarm enable a compact and weight-saving rear suspension linkage system that features separate lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit. This ‘tandem’ design effectively reduces stress around the linkage pick-up area of the Trellis frame. Working together with this highly efficient linkage is an incredible Öhlins unit for the 1198 SP with TTX twin tube technology providing totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound.

The system uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimize friction and reduce the risk of cavitations under extreme conditions. The 1198 and 1198 SP rear suspension system has an adjustable rear ride-height, independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings – valuable when seeking the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.

Brakes

Ducati Superbikes have always been famous for their incredible, track-derived braking performance and the 2011 model line-up is no exception. The 1198 and 1198 SP both use Brembo’s incredibly powerful Monobloc caliper racing technology. Machined from a single piece of alloy, the calipers achieve a higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking.

The resulting increase in hydraulic efficiency not only delivers incredible braking power, but also provides an enhanced and precise ‘feel’ at the brake lever. The twin Monobloc callipers each have four 34mm pistons that grip huge 330mm discs on the 1198 and 1198 SP to achieve spectacular braking performance.

Wheels

The lightweight front wheels used on all Ducati Superbike models substantially reduces the moment of inertia, enabling a faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. The 1198 SP goes to the next specification level by rolling out on beautiful black 7-spoke lightweight, forged-aluminum, machine-finished wheels by Marchesini.

The 1198 SP models are all fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, at 120/70 ZR17 for the front, and 190/55 ZR17 for the rear of both 1198 models. These high-performance tires have shoulder areas that maximize the contact patch and carcasses specially designed for stiffness under heavy braking and precision during high speed cornering. This precision in tire construction enabled Ducati technicians to create extremely fine programs for the Ducati Traction Controls systems used on the 1198 and 1198 SP.