Ducati Sees the "Light"
DUCATI SEES THE "LIGHT"
WHAT WOULD A Milan show be without new
Ducatis? Bologna busted big with a totally revised Monster, a super-middleweight 848 and the 1098R Superbike homologation special. There was one theme in the development of all these bikes, said product-planning boss Claudio Domenicali: “Lightness. Any excess of weight gives us a headache, anxiety, claustrophobia.”
At a mere 359 pounds, the new 696 Monster is indeed lighter than the previous 695. Ergonomics are improved thanks in part to the shorter fuel tank. The actual tank and airbox are hidden under a cosmetic cowl that is easily replaced with accessory items available in different colors and even carbon-fiber. Power comes from a substantially revised sohc, desmo, air-cooled 695cc Twin that makes 80 horsepower and 50.6 footpounds of torque. As this is a 2009 model, a six-
month wait is in order.
The 1098R is the ultimate Ducati V-Twin. Actual dis-
placement is 1198cc, thanks to its 106.0 x 67.9mm bore and stroke. This limited-edition machine (yours for $39,995!) will be the new World Superbike weapon now that 1200cc Twins are legal. A slipper clutch and Ducati’s proprietary eight-mode traction-control system are standard.
Quality continues with Öhlins
racing suspension, plus forgedmagnesium BremboMarchesini wheels.
A whop-
ping 180 hp at 9750 rpm is claimed. claimed. Even Even more staggering is 99 ft.-lb. peak torque at 7750 rpm! Larger throttle bodies, twin injectors and a 12.8:1 compression ratio are part of this higher-power package. Engine weight is reduced nearly 8 pounds thanks to liberal use of exotic materials. Claimed dry weight is 364 pounds, down 17.6 compared to the standard 1098. Domenicali expects in excess of 200 hp from the race-tuned engine. Bruno dePrato
