The 1198 is a race bike, pure and simple. It is immediately recognisable for its purposeful, no-nonsense attitude. Performance is first and foremost in every detail.

Trademark Ducati features like the high tail section and compact front end combine with twin under-seat silencers and single-sided swingarm to express the sheer engineering beauty of aerodynamics and agility. Add the 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engine as the hearts of the machine and the result is all-out performance Ducati Superbikes that look fast even when parked.

The 1198 features fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders.

The 1198 uses engineering solutions taken directly from the World Championship winning 'R' model of Troy Bayliss. From engine capacity and specification to advanced electronics, many details that helped Troy to the 2008 World Superbike title have been applied to the 2009 road-going 1198. Never before has so much factory rider feedback been put into production.

Producing 170hp (125kW) and with a dry weight of just 169kg (372.6lb), the new 1198 S now incorporates more World Superbike technology than ever before by taking the 1198 motor and adding top-of-the-range suspension, lightweight chassis components and a true racing-style traction control system designed for road use.

The high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tyre-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control. The suspension set-up at the rear is complemented with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive and traction. The front-to-rear Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.

The 'S' sets the standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its 'unsprung weight'. These are components like tyres, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower 'moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1198 S addresses this important area by mounting new 7-spoke GP replica Marchesini forged and machined wheels. Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.

The 1198 S is supplied with the Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from your previous track session or road trip. DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction.

The 1198 S Corse Special Edition sports a bold red, white and black colour scheme to mark the historic introduction of a new Ducati Corse logo and celebrate the winning of both the World Superbike and Superstock Manufacturers’ titles. The Special Edition 'S' features a factory team-style aluminium fuel tank and race kit as well as world-beating Ducati Traction Control.

At 168kg (370.3lb) (dry weight) the Special Edition model weighs in at 1kg (2.2lb) less than the 1198 S thanks to the beautifully made lightweight fuel tank, which also boosts the bike's fuel capacity by 2.5 litres (0.66 US gal) to 18 litres (4.75 US gal). The tank is formed in 2mm thick aluminium, brush finished and clear-coated to maintain a factory race tank feel and proudly displays the new Ducati Corse logo on top.

The new model will be supplied with a race kit consisting of a slip-on carbon fibre muffler kit by Termignoni including a dedicated ECU and a Ducati Performance rear paddock stand.

2010 Special Editions celebrate Ducati Corse historic logo change and two world titles.The winning of both the 2009 World Superbike and Superstock Manufacturers' titles is a fitting stage on which to present the 2010 1198 R Corse Special Edition, built to mark the historic introduction of a new Ducati Corse logo. It features all the usual high specification 'R' components, in addition to a new beautifully formed factory team-style aluminium fuel tank and bold red, white and black colour scheme with new Ducati Corse logo.

The 'R' is a race bike, pure and simple. Its competition specification and superior components together with advanced electronics and race-proven chassis technology deliver a level of performance that empowers with confidence and capability. On the road, it distinguishes its rider as a connoisseur of high-performance motorcycles. On the track it instantly promotes the rider to a higher level of skill.

The road-going 'R' version is as close as it gets to Ducati's factory race bike. The 1198 R is not a replica - it's the real deal. An incredible 180hp L-Twin Testastretta Evoluzione engine in a race-winning Trellis chassis set-up weighs in at 1kg (2.2lb) less than last year to become an unbelievably light 164kg (361.5lb) and is equipped with Ducati Corse's World Championship-winning traction control system.

The Ducati 1198 R Corse Special Edition raises the bar and sets the world standard for sportbikes while turning the heads and racing the hearts of enthusiasts throughout the world.