Ducati1098

With the aesthetically challenged 999 gone, Ducati went back to what they did best with the 1098.

- Bertie Simmonds

December 2006 and the first units of Ducati’snew, flagship sportsbike arrived on UK shores.

Yes, 14 years ago (that’s close to the VJMC’s 15-year rule) and the Ducati 1098 still looks gloriously fresh today. But let’s cut to the chase. The 1098 had to be a return to form for Ducati. Sure, the 999 (2003-2006) was a very good bike to ride and successful in world and national racing, but it wasn’t the best-looking machine out there. And to be fair, following on the heels of the divine 916 family, it was never going to be able to compete.

But the 1098 could. It’s almost as if the great Massimo Tamburini, who designed the 916 and MV Agusta F4, was there, at Giandrea Fabbro’s shoulder helping, guiding, talking, ensuring that – at last – Ducati had designed a real successor to the 916, 996, 998 family.