The Striking Ducati 1098 S: Motorcycle Eye Candy of the Very Quick, Very Italian Sort
Monday August 20, 2007
There are sportbikes and there are sportbikes, and Ducati's 1098 S certainly falls under the italicized variety.
I tested this $20,000 Italian exotic and fell in love with its blend of beautiful form and focused function... but is it worth twenty grand?
You'll hear my thoughts in an upcoming review, but in the meantime, check out our photo gallery and come to your own conclusions.
Photo © Basem Wasef
Comments
Beautiful bike, but I’m a cruiser guy, so it’s just not my style.
I am totally disgusted with these sportbikes. They are totally impractical for the average person who wants a useful daily commuter. Why has the motorcycle industry abandoned the basic motorcycle? And they wonder why sales are down. Back in the late 70’s through the 80’s when the standard motorcycle was available and sales were going strong, only a few were buying these bikes with the intent to create a specialized alteration to “express” themselves. I remember a time when most people would just buy a motorcycle and ride it with some minor additions of some items to personalize it. Now it seems that the manufacturers only offer customized/specialized bikes which only appeal to the minority rather than selling a motorcycle that appeals to the majority, which can be modified to appeal to that minority that wants something different. I think sportbikes are totally a waste of money and I think they are hideous in appearance and with totally impractical riding ergonomics. I have been on organized rides with sportbike riders and they are obviously so uncomfortable that they are constantly standing or sitting up because of the discomfort created by such an extreme riding position, where I am totally comfortable and do not have to go through such antics for distances up to 300 miles and riding times of 4 and a half hours at a time on my 2006 Concours. My passenger also does not complain of any discomfort for the typical riding length on organized rides. I would not pay $20 for a sportbike like the Italian exotic!
Now I’m confused. I thought a Concours was basically a Z with farings and bags??
Hey, just because they sell these bikes doesn’t don’t mean you have to buy one. Personally, I’d probably fall asleep riding the couch-on-wheels Concours, but that’s me.
For the type of riding I do (i.e., track days, Texas hill country, NOT commuting or long distance), the 1098 is beautiful.
If I want a bike to commute or to do road trips, I’ll buy the appropriate bike. They DO still sell those, you know.
Just like with cars (i.e., sedans vs. suvs vs. trucks) you buy the equipment appropriate for your usage. I wouldn’t buy a truck if I never planned on loading something in the bed of it – why pay the extra initial expense and the additional gas?
The same goes for bikes – different strokes for different folks.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Who’s the clown who claims to be disgusted??!! IDIOT!! That motorcycle trancends mere mortals…talk about the cure for the common sport bike!
Disgusting?? Let’s see…..300lbs, Beer gut, tatoos, an IQ 4 points below a tomato,a 9mm in his back pocket…guess what he’s riding?? A Hog of course. Now that’s disgusting…
Gregory Thomas,we have all met people like you before. Try not to be to clever, OK? PS why were you reading an article on sportbikes anyway? Oh, I get it. Me thinks me smell a troll.
If your going with the ‘its not practical’ argument then why have ferrari’s? How often are you going to drive 250 mph during your morning commute? Sportbikes like sportscars are a little less about practicality and a little more about art in motion. People like them because they have a passion for them. They are exotic collectors items. They, like cruisers and tour bikes, have their place. Personally, I think its GORGEOUS.