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EICMA: Ducati 1098R
The lightest and most powerful
twin-cylinder bike of all time. Traction control fitted as standard
for maximum track performance.
The new 1098 R is the most powerful and lightest twin-cylinder
bike ever produced by the Borgo Panigale factory, with the highest
torque/weight ratio in the sportbike category.
It is the jewel in the crown of the successful Superbike family
and it represents the ultimate expression of racing technology
applied to a production bike.
Ducati Corse engineers and riders worked in close contact with
the R&D division during the development of this project to
produce a true racing bike, a masterpiece of incredible performance
and innovation.
The numbers speak for themselves. A total of 180hp is on tap
for this new hypersport machine, together with an amazing torque
value of 13.7 kgm.
The weight figure also confirms the racing origins of the 1098
R: 165kg puts the bike at the forefront of this category.
The 1098 R is supplied with a racing kit for track use. This
is made up of a pair of "102dB" carbon mufflers and
a dedicated ECU, which boost the already exceptional performance
of this new twin-cylinder Ducati.
With this kit the rider can also activate dialog between the
ECU and the DTC (Ducati Traction Control) system, which is fitted
to a production bike for the first time ever.
This extraordinary electronic system, developed and perfected
in conjunction with Ducati Corse, controls rear wheel spinning
and as a result allows the rider to manage the incredible torque
of the new Testestretta Evoluzione engine, in particular when
cornering and in exiting corners.
The way DTC operates is regulated by the rider, who can simply
select one of eight different profiles on the instrumentation
display depending on different tarmac conditions and rider ability.
Once again Ducati has raised the bar for the hypersport bike
category by transferring its MotoGP race technology experience
to a road bike.
The new engine
The development of the Testastretta Evoluzione has now found
its crowning glory in the new engine for the latest addition
to the Ducati family: the 1098 R.
Created after close collaboration between engineers from Ducati's
production and racing departments, this new engine is fitted
with the same components powering the 1098 F08 that will take
on the Japanese opposition in the 2008 World Superbike Championship.
The R version of the 1098 has been boosted to an engine displacement
of 1198cc. A bore increase from 104mm to 106mm and a stroke value
of 67.9mm, producing a remarkable 1.56 ratio, complete the 'over-square'
layout of the engine.
The power output of 180hp (132.4 kW) at 9750 rpm and a torque
value of 13.7 kgm (134Nm) at 7750 rpm place the 1098 R at the
very top of its category. It is the most powerful twin-cylinder
production engine in history and fitting reward to the continued
ingenuity of Borgo Panigale engineers.
Like the 1098, the 'R' engine again presents the revolutionary
layout of compact cylinders and cylinder heads. Whether external
or internal, every new development has been conceived to create
a lighter, more efficient, more powerful and ultra-compact engine.
The cylinder heads and crankcase are in aluminium and have been
sand cast to guarantee high resistance and at the same time reduce
the weight of the finished component.
As a result of the excellent fluid dynamics of the 1098, in the
new 1098 R engine the angle between intake and exhaust valves
has been retained. This allows highly efficient, straight intake
ducts and newly shaped combustion chambers that can contain sizeable
valves (44.3mm inlet, 36.2mm exhaust) normally only found in
powerful racing engines. The compression ratio achieved in this
new layout is 12.8:1.
The intake and exhaust valves have been redesigned and are now
both in titanium, controlled by high-grade steel lash caps and
retainers and titanium keepers. In this way it has been possible
to guarantee the required resistance and inertia levels, making
the most of the control precision of the Ducati desmodromic system.
The camshafts are the same as the ones used in the Superbike
engine and have the same valve lift. The rockers are also the
same, and are produced in a special case-hardened steel alloy,
with a super-finished surface. This treatment allows wear to
be reduced to a minimum and system performance to be improved
at higher revs.
As on the 1098, the head covers are in magnesium and are die
cast so as to ensure maximum wall thickness precision and minimum
weight.
The large-bore pistons have undergone considerable analysis and
simulation to ensure the correct stiffness, resistance, blow-by
control and oil consumption. The undercrown has been suitably
strengthened with a double rib so as to resist the strong flow
of gas loads and the inertia during operation. Considerable weight
saving comes from the use of titanium conrods, 130gr lighter
than those in the 1098 version. The big-end and the small-end
of the conrod are specially treated to guarantee maximum wear
resistance.
The gearbox has also been redesigned: with respect to the 1098
engine, the gears have a different ratio for the sixth and are
produced in higher-strength steel. Component reliability is further
increased by the application of a controlled shot-peening process
on the teeth.
The ultra-reliable slipper clutch design again limits engine
braking transmission towards the rear wheel, thus improving the
stability of the bike under heavy braking.
As on the 1098, the throttle bodies are elliptically shaped and
MotoGP-derived. With a 30% increase in air flow over conventional
throttle bodies, the new shape makes a notable contribution to
the record-breaking performance of this motor.
The extreme performance of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine
meant that modifications had to be made to the intake system:
above all the cross-section of the elliptical throttle bodies
has been increased from the 1098's 60 sq. mm to 63.9 sq. mm;
also, to guarantee sufficient fuel flow, it was necessary to
use two injectors for each cylinder above the throttle body:
a four-hole central injector and a twelve-hole side injector,
which provide a greater fuel flow at maximum power.
Carbon belt covers complete the fittings of this new top-of-the-range
Testastretta Evoluzione engine. Total weight saving from the
1098 is 3.5kg, a figure that is even more astounding when compared
to its predecessor, the 999R engine, a reduction of 6.5kg.
Finally the exhaust system of the 1098 R is even lighter than
the one on the 1098, with which it shares a symmetrical 2-1-2
layout that uses 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with wall thickness
reduced by 30% to 0.8mm.
The system terminates with Ducati's trademark under-seat silencers
in steel and titanium, which deliver that unmistakable big-bore
90° L-Twin sound.
This unit, just like all the other Ducati engines, fully complies
with Euro 3 exhaust emission norms.
CHASSIS
Trellis frame
This component has received the same detailed study and 'performance
first' priority approach as the 1098. The goal was to achieve
considerable weight saving while building-in strength and rigidity
to manage the new high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engine.
Each and every component not only contributes to achieving superior
road holding and stability, but when assembled, become a system
with value far greater than the sum of all its parts.
In addition several modifications were required to allow it to
be used on the racing bike in next year's World Superbike Championship
in view of the new, more restrictive regulations that will enter
into force in 2007. The result is an extremely high strength/weight
ratio, which is fundamental for racing activity.
Single-sided swingarm
For the 1098 R the single-sided aluminium swingarm, which equips
the entire Superbike family, is painted black in order to underline
the racing spirit of the bike.
Rear Suspension
The most significant innovation in the 1098 R's rear suspension
is the exclusive Ohlins TTXR single shock, produced with technology
directly derived from Ohlins's experience in MotoGP, and which
is used for the first time on a Ducati production bike.
This exclusive shock gives top-line performance during track
use, coupled with comfort and safety in everyday road riding,
and it also allows a considerable weight saving over components
produced with traditional technology.
In addition to a wide range of adjustments possible with the
new Ohlins TTXR, the rider can also alter the rear ride
height of the bike, making it easier to find the ideal set-up
for all riding conditions
Front Suspension
At the front the new 1098 R boasts the fully adjustable 43mm
Öhlins forks, which sport low friction Titanium Nitride
fork sliders and 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 Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing
fully-adjustable steering damper.
CONTROL
Brembo Monobloc calipers
The 1098 R is also equipped with the Brembo's
Monobloc caliper racing technology. The M4 caliper uses four
34mm pistons and two large surface pads for maximum stopping
power. Calipers are machined from a single piece of alloy, vs.
the bolt-together construction of conventional calipers. The
Monobloc design has much higher rigidity and resistance to distortion
during extreme braking, and therefore gives a much more precise
feel at the brake lever. The big 330mm discs, when matched to
the Monobloc calipers, achieve spectacular braking power. Despite
the larger diameter, their weight has not increased due to the
use of racing-style narrow braking surfaces. The use of Monobloc
technology combined with the legendary stability of Ducati's
Trellis frame and the 1098 R's overall weight savings has made
world championship level brake performance.
Super lightweight wheels
As for the 1098 S, the "R" version addresses this important
area by mounting Marchesini forged and machined wheels, reducing
weight by 1.9kg (4lbs). 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 fibre front
fender. The Racing gold scheme colour of the rims denotes the
extreme racing status.
Fairing and finish
The 1098 R and its 'sister' racing version have exactly the same
profile as the 1098. Wind-tunnel development has enabled an excellent
aerodynamic penetration to be obtained, which allows the rider
to effortlessly take up a perfect racing stance. A number of
fairing components are made in carbon fibre, highlighting once
again the racing spirit of this powerful new twin-cylinder Ducati
bike.
The best example of this is the magnificent single-seat tail
fairing showing off all the attention to detail with which Borgo
Panigale engineers and technicians have applied themselves to
the project.
The new 1098 R stands out from the crowd for its 'extreme' look:
note the number plate blisters on the front and tail fairings,
the gold wheels rims and black anodized aluminium components,
exactly like the F08 version that will race in Superbike.
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