THE BEST EVOLUZIONE

Old-school looks with modern performance, the Ducati 1098 and 1198 models offer the best of both worlds.

2007-2011 DUCATI 1098/1198 AND 10985/1198S

When it comes to Ducati sports bikes, there are certain boxes that absolutely must be ticked for them to be classed as true Bologna-built thoroughbreds. One or two of these boxes may be controversial, especially in light of modern trends, but if you are a Ducati purist this is how the checklist to superbike perfection goes...

Box one is simple: a Ducati sports bike has to look beautiful. Box two is equally uncomplicated: a Ducati sports bike has to sound amazing. Box three is a bit more open to debate: a proper Ducati sports bike has to be a V-twin. Box four is unquestionable: a Ducati sports bike has to have won a WSB title. And finally there is box five: a Ducati sports bike has to handle fantastically. Obviously, there are a few bonus boxes that if ticked are great news, such as the bike packing a bit of clever tech, featuring eye-catching components, and ideally also available in a few special editions should you wish to push the budget, but these are all above and beyond the basics.

And there is one family of Ducati sportsbikes that ticks every box and even knocks off the bonuses as well the truly fantastic 1098 and 1198 models.

Replacing the 999 (which failed at box one...) and running until the 1199 Panigale replaced it (and failed to tick box four...), like Superman, the 1098 and 1198 models arrived just at the point when Ducati was in desperate need of a saviour. Hit hard by the double whammy of the 999's failure in showrooms and the resurgence of the Japanese-built inline-four litre bikes, Ducati needed an all-new bike to restore its reputation as a builder of the most desirable sports bikes on the planet. And boy, did the 1098 and subsequent 1198 do that not only in terms of performance but also looks, track pedigree and reliability.

SWINGARM