Now imagine hitting a corner apex and whacking that throttle open as hard as you can. Now imagine that instead of history’s biggest highside, you’re greeted by a gripping tyre that propels you out of the corner and into the distance, in a way that no other production superbike could ever manage, just like you were some kind of Casey Stoner riding clone.

You’ve just imagined riding the brand new toy from the land of Spaghetti and red dream machines – Ducati’s 1198 S.

It was only two years ago that Ducati brought out three versions of its stunning new superbike, the 1098. The £12,000 base model, the £14,000 higher-spec S, and the £24,000 World Superbike-derived, all-singing all-dancing R version. Of course, there’s also the £40,000 MotoGP-derived Desmosedici RR but that’s an altogether different kettle of fish.

Now Ducati has updated its flagship by giving the 90° V-twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine 100cc more and fitting it into two versions of 1198, the base-model Biposto (that’s two-seater in Italian), and higher-spec S.

The engine’s increased bore and stroke brings capacity up to the 1,200cc limit for V-twins in the World Superbike championship, which Troy Bayliss won in 2008 racing the 1098. The 1198’s improved engine also gets new crankcases and bigger valves, all of which increases maximum power by 10bhp all the way across the rev range, and boosts torque.

But the high-tech gadget that lets you use every last drop of that performance is the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) fitted to the 1198 S.

Much has been written about the way 2007 MotoGP champion Casey Stoner rides his Ducati – how he whacks the throttle open from the apex, letting the bike’s electronics control the power and torque output to secure grip. This is exactly what the 1198 S’s DTC does, but on a production machine. This MotoGP-derived technology has the ability to turn a ham fisted throttle jockey into a riding sensation.

DTC was initially fitted to the 1098 R, but ironically this first production version of the technology could only be used on race bikes (which the R is). That older system destroys catalytic converters by dumping fuel into the exhausts when a reduction in torque is required. But the new system cuts off the fuel supply rather than the spark that ignites the fuel, so the catalytic converters aren’t affected. And that’s got to be more environmentally friendly too.

But the 1198 S is not just about corner exits. It’s also about the way it flies down the straights at warp speed with a delicious Ducati drone emanating from the exhausts, the way it turns fluidly into corners, the way it handles like a dream.

Not only has Ducati shed weight from the updated model but it’s removed it from strategic places such as the front of the bike to improve agility. The 1198 flicks from side to side with incredible ease and holds a tight line.

Uncharacteristically for a Ducati however, it can feel flighty when you’re properly on it. You can stop this though through careful suspension set-up to suit you and your riding style – and you might as well make the most of the state-of-the-art components as they’re adjustable every which way and really do make a difference to the bike’s behaviour.

Visually, there’s not much that distinguishes the new 1198s from the 1098s. The standard 1198 Biposto gets new 10-spoke alloy wheels, while the higher spec S is fitted with MotoGP-derived forged and machined seven-spoke wheels. There’s also the new 1198 designation on the side of the fairing and a new dash, and a gold-coloured frame for the S. But that’s about it.

However, Ducati has made another useful improvement to its flagship’s road-worthiness and this time it’s to something somewhat more conventional than DTC – the mirrors, whose longer stems let you see a little more than just your elbows in the reflection.

The Biposto will set you back £11,950, but there’s no DTC to brag about to your mates. The S version however costs three grand more at £14,950. But if the bank manager’s given you the nod to spend that kind of money in the first place, you might as well go that extra mile and turn yourself into a riding god with the 1198 S.

FAST FACTS

Ducati 1198 S

Price : £14,950

Mechanical : 1,198cc, 90° V-twin, 8 valves, dohc desmodromic, liquid cooled

Performance : 168bhp @ 9,750rpm, 97lb/ft @ 8,000rpm

Fuelling : Marelli electronic fuel injection, oval section throttle bodies

Transmission : Six gears multiplate, chain final drive

Chassis : Tubular steel trellis

Suspension : (F) Öhlins 43mm inverted forks (R) Öhlins monoshock, fully adjustable. Aluminium single-sided swingarm

Brakes : (F) 2 x radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc four-piston fixed callipers, 330mm discs (R) Brembo 2-piston caliper, 245mm disc

Weight : 169kg dry

Wheelbase : 1,430mm

Fuel tank : 15.5 litres

Seat height : 820mm
Source

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