2010 Ducati Superbikes Full Details

Ducati has announced it’s 2010 lineup and it is a formidable range that includes the brand newMultistrada 1200, revisedHypermotard Evo and Evo SP, Corse special edition 1198S and 1198R, ABS as an option for theMonsterrange and the return of a Dark model with the848Dark. In a series of articles Ducati News Today will explore the new models in detail. Today is the turn of the Ducati Superbike range.

Ducati unveiled a new Corse logo which brings the racing emblem in line with the revised company logo that is now in existence as well as detailing the Superbike range for 2010. The highights are the 848 Dark and two special edition 1198′s that feature larger, aluminum tanks and special Corse graphics.

Ducati 848

For 2010, the 848 gets the same latest, bright, easy-to-read instrumentation as the 1198, aluminum cam belt pulley and 30mm mirror extension kit as well as a new urban-style Dark colour scheme. The matte black tank and bodywork with racing black frame and black wheels now lines up alongside the original pearl white with racing grey frame and black wheels and traditional Ducati red with red frame and black wheels to complete the three colors.

The 848 is powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 134hp (98.5kW) @ 10,000rpm and a high accelerating 70.8lb-ft (9.8kgm) of torque @ 8,250rpm. The 848 engine was the first Ducati Superbike to introduce vacuum die-cast crankcases, formed using Vacural® technology, a process that achieves a significant weight saving and ensures consistent wall thickness and increased strength.

Pricing in the USA is $13,995 for the red or white colors, $14,495 for the 848 Nicky Hayden Edition and just $12,995 for the Dark model which is a bit of a bargain as it is mechanically identical to the other models.

Ducati 1198

The base model 1198 continues mechanically unchanged in red or pearl white, whilst the S model is also unchanged and is available in red, black or pearl white (all with a red frame). In addition Ducati announced a new 1198S Corse Special Edition and a 1198R Corse Special Edition. The Troy Bayliss Limited edition 1098R has been discontinued.

DUCATI 1198 S Corse Special Edition

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.

DUCATI 1198 R Corse Special Edition

Since the entire larger engine Superbike range now have 1198cc engines the name of the top of the line model is now 1198R. Compared to the 1098 R, the 1198 R Corse Special Edition is 1kg (2.2lb) lighter thanks to the new factory team-style fuel tank, which also increases fuel capacity by 2.5 litres (0.66 US gal) to 18 litres (4.75 US gal). Formed in 2mm thick aluminium, the tank is brush finished, clear-coated and topped off with the new Ducati Corse logo to maintain a factory race tank feel.

The 1198 R Corse comes in the red, white and black Corse Special Edition livery bodywork with the new aluminium fuel tank clear-coated for all to see. The Trellis frame is also in red with the front and rear 7-spoke Marchesini wheels finished in black. The front fender and side panels are left in a contrasting natural carbon fibre finish while the belly-pan is painted, but reveals its carbon fibre material inside the aerodynamic recess for the side-stand. A subtle ’1198 R Corse Special Edition’ graphic on the tail fairing leaves no doubt as to what this magnificent bike is.

This top-of-the-range model is supplied with a race kit that includes a full racing exhaust system with 102dB carbon fibre mufflers by Termignoni and dedicated ECU which raises power output to approximately 186hp (intended strictly for track use only). Also in the kit is a unique Ducati Corse branded bike cover designed by Aldo Drudi and rear paddock stand as well as an official cased plaque of authentication that confirms the collectable value of this exclusive motorcycle.

Pricing in the USA is $16,495 for the 1198 and $21,795 for the 1198S. Pricing for the 1198S Corse SE and 1198R Corse SE is not yet available.