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These are the BMW’s 2009 World Superbike (WSBK) contender,

The motorcycle is named the S1000RR, and BMW plans to produce 1000 road-going versions in 2009 to satisfy World Superbike homologation requirements.

The target is 190kg with 190bhp for the road bike. It will come with a quickshifter, Öhlins front and rear, Brembo brakes and theres a lot of talk about the engines head too; something is special about it, theres a possibility it contains pneumatic valves but BMW are being really cagey about it all.

BMW has also specified that the road-going version should be comfortable to ride and easy to move around on, despite being light and compact.

Adrian Roderick, general manager of BMW Motorrad UK told MCN that the S1000RR is unlikely to be in dealers until early 2010, as the World Superbike homologation rules give the firm until December 2009 to build road-going motorcycles.

While the firm has yet to set the price for the road motorcycle, it is aiming to keep it competitive, relative to Japanese superbikes.

BMW has set ambitious targets for the race bike, looking to be a consistent top-10 finisher in 2009 with a two-man team comprising one experienced rider, and one young-gun.

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The concept of progressing onto bigger and bigger bikes as a rider becomes more experienced is ingrained in motorcycling. For decades powerful, big-capacity machines have presented an obvious incentive to upgrade from smaller bikes as quickly as possible, offering both increased performance and huge prestige on the street. But in the 21st century the sense in doing this is becoming increasingly hard to see. Busy roads, spiralling fuel prices and the sense of responsibility we feel towards the environment all help make the lightweight and frugal small-capacity machine more relevant than ever.

Over the years CBR motorcycles of various engine sizes have come to define what a road-focused sportsbike should be; how it should perform and what it should feel like. As dynamically rewarding as a Supersports machine but with a versatility and accessibility those bikes lack, the CBR family has consistently confounded the opposition by blending the performance expert riders demand with the ease of use so critical to building riding confidence in novices.

New for 2011, the CBR250R unites the inherent virtues of a 250cc machine with the timeless CBR qualities of high performance, intuitive handling dynamics and unrivalled ease of use. The result is a machine of outstanding versatility; one able to take on any task while also delivering the excitement that makes every ride a joy. With its lightweight and very efficient single-cylinder engine, advanced chassis and striking design, the CBR250R is set to appeal to a wide range of riders. Everyone, from leisure riders to style-conscious commuters keen to save time and money will be drawn by the bikes easy handling, forgiving but powerful engine and rewarding chassis.

Development concept
While the advantages of lightweight, small-capacity motorcycles are easy to see, such machines have traditionally been compromised in several key areas. While modern riders are keen to reap the rewards of low running costs, outstanding fuel efficiency and easy handling, they are unwilling to sacrifice the sophistication, riding thrill or attractive styling of big-capacity machines. The demand therefore exists for a 250cc motorcycle that could - both in the way it looks and the riding experience it offers - be mistaken for a more expensive machine with a bigger engine.

The 2011 CBR250R is Hondas response to this demand. Twin-cylinder engines are commonplace in the 250 class but the CBR250R is designed around an all-new 249.4cm3 single-cylinder engine with liquid cooling, an efficient 4-valve DOHC cylinder head and PGM-FI fuel injection. This single-cylinder configuration makes for a lighter, more compact and more fuel-efficient powerplant that also boasts a supremely usable torque curve.

The rest of the CBR250R package is similarly balanced, combining satisfying performance with the kind of refinement and easygoing usability that make a difference on every ride. The result is extraordinary - a truly versatile 250cc sportsbike with unrivalled fuel economy.

Main features

- Powerful liquid-cooled 249.4cm3 single-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and four valves for strong torque and outstanding acceleration.
- Advanced PGM-FI fuel injection for superb throttle response and impressive fuel economy.
- Diamond twin-spar steel frame with 37mm telescopic forks and Pro-Link Monoshock rear suspension for outstanding handling and ride quality.
- Stylish full fairing.
- C-ABS version with Hondas Combined Antilock Braking System for secure braking in all conditions.
- Multi-function digital instruments including speedometer, tachometer, engine temperature display, multi-segment fuel gauge and odometer/trip meter.

Ergonomic design
Instinctive riding position
The CBR250Rs riding position is fundamental to its versatility, ensuring comfort and control regardless of the task at hand. It is designed around a low seat height of just 784mm, which puts riders of any stature at ease immediately since even shorter riders can easily put a supporting foot on the ground when stopping. The result is increased rider confidence and a bike that is in its element carving through traffic jams and other busy urban environments.

The position of the handlebars and footpegs works with the seat to create a sporty riding position that offers outstanding control and a feeling of being at one with the bike. At the same time rider movement is not restricted in any way. Indeed, so balanced is the riding position that even long days on the road are a joy, relaxing the body and leaving the mind free to concentrate on riding.
Outstanding manoeuvrability
Lightweight at just 162kg (166kg for the C-ABS version), the new bikes manoeuvrability is further enhanced by its perfect chassis balance. In fact, what little weight there is seems to disappear once the bike is on the move.

Full fairing cowl
Key to rider comfort when travelling long distances at speed, a full fairing with a windscreen considerably reduces windblast as well providing a degree of weather protection. The CBR250Rs fairing directly contributes to the bikes ease of use, making riding less tiring and helping to maintain concentration levels.
Advanced digital instruments

The CBR250Rs sophisticated ergonomics are underlined by its multi-function digital instruments, which display all the information the rider needs at a glance. The result is less time looking at the display and more attention on the road. Speed, engine revs, engine temperature, fuel level, time and an odometer/trip meter are all clearly displayed.

With the power to carry two people effortlessly, the CBR250R is a very capable pillion machine. Grab rails on the tail unit are specially designed to take gloved hands, giving passengers a secure point of contact. Beneath the pillion seat a storage area makes the CBR250R a hugely practical bike, with space for the owners manual and toolkit that come with the bike as well as an optional U-lock, raincoat or emergency kit.
Styling

Too many sensible bikes are also sensibly styled but the CBR250R proves this neednt be the case. Unmistakably Supersports-inspired in its design, the aggressively sculpted fairing sweeps up from the front of the bike to a light and purposeful tail. The bikes lines are at once dynamic and sophisticated, communicating the machines dual personalities: exciting small-capacity sportsbike and practical all-rounder.
The CBR250Rs striking colouring concepts work with the classy and co-ordinated finishes on its chassis components. The result is a machine with the class to turn heads everywhere it goes.

Colouring concept
Asteroid Black Metallic
Black isnt traditionally regarded as an extrovert or attention-grabbing colour but the Asteroid Black Metallic CBR250R turns that preconception on its head. Perfectly reflecting the new machines confident and sophisticated character, metallic black paint lends the CBR real presence on the road.
Pearl Blue Tricolour
Encapsulating Hondas long and glorious racing heritage in a single colour concept, the Pearl Blue Tricolour design offers sports riders a striking alternative to black. Inspired by the liveries of countless victorious Honda race bikes, this colour option is a winner in its own right.

Engine
Punchy and efficient new engine design
The heart of the new CBR250R is an all-new liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. Employing a 4-valve cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts, the new engine was developed with an unwavering focus on efficiency and usable torque.

By reducing internal friction to a minimum, the CBR250R engine boasts both gutsy performance and extraordinary fuel economy. And while the peak power figure of 19.42kW at 8500rpm is impressive, it is the relentless torque the engine develops from very low revs that defines the riding performance. Indeed the outstanding peak torque output of 22.9Nm combined with the bikes low weight delivers class-leading acceleration, both from a standstill and in-gear. This translates into effortless traffic-beating performance and huge rider satisfaction, in town and beyond.

Single-cylinder configuration
Where many of its rivals use multi-cylinder engines, the CBR250Rs single-cylinder powerplant offers many benefits. Because the number of moving parts is kept to an absolute minimum, the engine is more fuel efficient, saving the owner money at the petrol pumps. This mechanical simplicity also reduces servicing costs - another essential element in creating a hassle-free ownership experience. A single-cylinder engine is also more compact, helping create a bike that is at once lighter and more manageable than the multi-cylinder competition. Finally, because the engine is physically small, it has been positioned perfectly within the chassis for an ideal front/rear weight distribution which gives the bike superb handling.
PGM-FI

Like all the machines in the CBR family, the CBR250R employs Hondas advanced PGM-FI fuel injection system for smooth, responsive power delivery and superb fuel economy. The Electronic Control Unit works in conjunction with the bikes electronic ignition to deliver the perfect amount of fuel to the cylinder at all times. The result is an engine that really does have it all; a broad spread of power delivered with the immediacy only a fuel injection system can deliver. To ease maintenance the CBR250R uses an external fuel filter for the PGM-FI system, further reducing maintenance costs.

Six-speed transmission
As befits a machine with performance and versatility, the CBR250R uses a six-speed transmission to make light work of riding at any speed. The six ratios work with the bikes power delivery to optimise acceleration and deliver both refinement and economy when cruising.
Total reliability and low running costs

The single-cylinder engine needs very little by way of maintenance and is also very fuel efficient. It covers 27 kilometres on a litre of fuel in typical riding conditions, giving a range of over 350 kilometres from the compact 13-litre fuel tank. This class-leading fuel economy is a direct result of intensive weight-saving measures within the engine. The reciprocating parts - the piston and con-rod - are both lightweight in their design, boosting economy, and the lightweight, low-friction piston rings and the iridium spark plug also help get the most from every litre of fuel. Liquid cooling guarantees a consistent operating temperature for the engine, further enhancing economy and reliability.
Ultra-clean exhaust

The 2011 CBR250R incorporates the latest in exhaust and catalyser technology to ensure low emissions. The Tri-metal catalytic converter reduces the level of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides to an absolute minimum. An oxygen sensor in the exhaust enables the engines Electronic Control Unit to further reduce emissions by ensuring complete combustion within the engine.

Chassis
Rigid yet lightweight chassis
The engine is mounted in a steel diamond twin-spar frame. This frame configuration is lightweight, contributing to the bikes low kerb weight. It is also immensely strong, providing a rigid platform on which to mount the front and rear suspension systems. This rigidity is key to stability and swift handling, and on the new CBR250R the frames rigidity balance has been carefully optimised for sporty dynamics and superb stability at speed. The rider and passenger seats are supported on a strong secondary frame capable of carrying a substantial load.
Advanced suspension systems

Suspension behaviour was crucial to meeting the CBR250Rs brief: to provide levels of sophistication and refinement not normally found on such a competitively priced machine. The bike features a hydraulically damped 37mm fork at the front and Hondas Pro-Link Monoshock rear suspension configuration. This uses a linkage to help the Monoshock damper control the swingarm movement generated as the rear wheel moves up and down over bumps. The result is a superb ride quality combined with the poise and feedback that supports sports riding on challenging roads.
High performance wheels, tyres and brakes

The CBR250R uses big-bike wheel and tyre sizes for enhanced levels of grip and serious presence on the road. The cast wheels mount a 110/70-MC17 front tyre and a 140/70-MC17 rear tyre - purposeful rubber for a serious motorcycle.
Braking is taken care of by a large-diameter 296mm disc and a powerful dual-piston caliper at the front. At the rear a smaller 220mm disc and single-piston caliper further boost the bikes stopping capability while also offering the controlled rear-wheel braking required to perform low-speed riding manoeuvres.
Combined ABS

The new CBR250R is also available in a Combined ABS version. Hondas advanced Combined Antilock Braking System links the front brake control to the rear brake and prevents tyre slip when braking, ensuring safe and powerful deceleration in all situations. The systems ECU uses sensors to monitor the speeds of the front and rear wheels. If these sensors detect that one wheel is beginning to rotate more slowly than the other, suggesting the first hint of tyre slip, the Combined Antilock Braking System modulates the braking effort to ensure full grip is retained. Thus it maximises braking ability while retaining complete control of the bike.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS

Overall length: 2130mm (83.9in)
Overall width: 760mm (29.9in)
Overall height: 1090mm (42.9in)
Wheelbase: 1445mm (56.9in)
Seat height: 785mm (30.9in)
Kerb Mass: 205kg (451.9lbs)
Fuel capacity: 14.5litres (3.2 UK gallons)

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Engine capacity: 645cc
Engine: 4-stroke, 2 cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC, 90? V-twin
Bore: 81.0mm x 62.6mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Lubrication: Wet Sump
Ignition: Electronic ignition (Transistorised)
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Starter: Electric
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
Drive: Chain

CHASSIS SPECIFICATION

Front suspension: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped

Rear suspension: Link type, coil spring, oil damped

Front brakes: Disc, twin

Rear brakes: Disc

Front tyres: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), Tubeless

Rear tyres: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W), Tubeles

 

• Red (red / black)
• Dark Stealth (racing black / black

The 848 is Ducatis most impressive middleweight Superbike ever. Its exceptional lightweight and legendary Ducati chassis set-up combined with the smooth and thrilling torque delivery of the L-Twin Desmo provide the ideal way to enter the world of Ducati Superbikes.

With a dry weight of just 168kg (369lb) the agile 848 is an amazing 20kg (44lb) lighter and 30% more powerful than its predecessor, enabling the middleweight to deliver impressive performances whether riding through mid-town traffic or racing through track-day competition. These incredible achievements are a fitting reward to Ducatis ingenuity and a clear result of the continual attention to detail and development of their twin-cylinder technology.

Iconic features from its bigger brothers, such as the twin under-seat silencers, single-sided swingarm, Trellis frame and beautiful race bodywork, are all part of the 848s DNA. Its family resemblance assures that it is equipped with all the performance advancements of the Superbike family, while adding its own particular refinements to the middleweight sport bike class.

From the first twist of the throttle, the powerful rush of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules have changed. The 848 is a new class of Superbike.

The 848 Testastretta Evoluzione engine

The potent 848 is powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 134hp (98.5kW) @ 10,000rpm and a class-beating 70.8lb-ft (9.8kgm) @ 8,250rpm.

The 94mm x 61.2mm bore and stroke breathes through 4 valves per cylinder fed by racing-style elliptical throttle bodies. Electronically injected and ignited by Marelli, the super-efficient power unit then exhausts through a lightweight 2-1-2 system equipped with a catalytic converter and lambda probe to conform to Euro3 regulations.
The highly advanced 848 engine was the first Ducati Superbike to introduce vacuum die-cast formed crankcases. Achieving a significant weight saving of more than 3kg (6.5lb), this production method also ensured consistent wall thickness and increased strength. Further refinements include a sophisticated wet clutch that offers a power-enhancing 1kg (2.2lb) less weight, greater durability, improved clutch feel, and quiet operation.

More World Championship-winning race technology than ever before
The 2009 Superbike range presents five models: The lightweight and agile 848, the awesomely powerful new 1198, and for those who demand the ultimate in specification, the 1198 S and 1098 R, both now with race-level Ducati Traction Control systems for the road. To mark his 3rd Superbike World Championship and to celebrate the career of Troy Bayliss, who will now retire from motorcycle racing, Ducati will build a 1098 R Bayliss Limited Edition.

Engineered by the stopwatch
The Ducati 848, 1198 and 1098 R Superbikes are the most advanced, most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycles ever built. They are the product of a team of designers and engineers who have combined their Ducati MotoGP and World Superbike technologies to create the finest sport bikes in the world. From race-level engine specifications to world championship-winning traction control, the results are pure excellence. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system further underlines Ducatis technology flow from racing to production and demonstrates how solutions developed for the track can be applied to enhance safety on the road.

Designed by the race track
The look and stance of the Ducati Superbikes are the result of intense race development and Ducati heritage. Their striking aerodynamic shapes create a natural riding position, confirmed by Ducati development and factory team riders as the optimum for speed and agility. Their passion for racing has shaped the Superbike family.

Pure Ducati
Ducati Superbikes are race bikes, pure and simple. They are immediately recognisable for their 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 Testastretta Evoluzione engines as the hearts of the machines and the result is all-out performance Ducati Superbikes that look fast even when parked.


Winning is Ducatis passion
Ducati Superbikes, designed, engineered and built in Bologna, Italy, have always represented the pinnacle of Ducati motorcycle technology and racing success. For Ducati, racing and winning are a way of life and a way of thinking for their designers, engineers and everyone at the factory. Their unique engineering solutions are proven on the race track, where the only way to win is to have technical superiority and dependable performance.

Ducati have dominated World Superbike racing, winning 13 World Championships and taking the Manufacturers title 15 times. Furthermore, Ducati have won more individual World Superbike races than all other manufacturers combined. Add these unequalled performances to the historic achievement of winning the 2007 MotoGP World Championship, and their results speak for themselves.

Features and Benefits

Advanced chassis
The 848 , 1198 and 1098 R chassis and suspension received detailed study and a performance-first priority approach to development. The goal was to achieve considerable weight saving and build-in strength and rigidity to manage the high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engines. While the R models are purely monoposto, Ducati built biposto practicality into the 848 and 1198 with a passenger seat and footpegs. As with the race bikes from which they are derived, each and every component is designed to contribute to achieving superior road holding and stability.

Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm. The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducatis lightest frame solutions ever. Adding style to performance, the two colour versions for the 848 use frames finished in red and racing grey while both colours for the 1198 use racing black frames and both 1198 S a sophisticated bronze finish. The 1098 R frame is finished in red .

Front suspension
Both the 848 and 1198 feature fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders of the 1198, while spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction titanium nitride-treated sliders are used on the 1198 S and 1098 R. Both front suspension solutions have radial brake caliper mountings providing superior road holding and incredible feedback to give every rider more confidence and control.

Rear suspension
The lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided swingarm have enabled a compact and weight-saving rear suspension linkage system that features separate lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit. This tandem design effectively reduces stress around the linkage pick-up area of the Trellis frame. Working together with this highly efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Showa single shock for the 848 and 1198, and an incredible Öhlins unit for the 1198 S. The higher specification Öhlins for the rear of the 1098 R uses TTXR twin tube technology and offers totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound. It uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimise friction and reduce the risk of cavitation under extreme conditions. The 1198, 1198 S and 1098 R rear suspension system has an adjustable rear ride-height, independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings - valuable when seeking the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.

Single-sided swingarm
The dual construction technique used for the single-sided swingarm sees the main operational components use individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminium sections used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component. The 848 swingarm is colour finished in natural aluminium while both 1198, 1198 S and 1098 R swingarms are in black.



Superbike Control

Race-bred brakes
With motorcycles as capable as the new Ducati Superbikes, superior braking power is fundamental.

The lightweight 848 features progressive and consistent race-bred braking performance as standard equipment with a tried and tested formula that includes twin radially mounted Brembo calipers each with quadruple 32mm pistons gripping 320mm discs.

The 1198, 1198 S and 1098 R uses Brembos powerful Monobloc caliper racing technology. Machined from a single piece of alloy, the calipers achieve a higher rigidity and resistance to distortion during extreme braking. The resulting increase in hydraulic efficiency not only delivers incredible braking power, but also provides an enhanced and precise feel at the brake lever. The twin Monobloc calipers each have quadruple 34mm pistons that grip huge 330mm discs to help achieve spectacular brake performance. The weight of the discs has been kept to a minimum by employing racing-style narrow braking surfaces.

Super lightweight wheels
The lightweight front wheels of the 848, 1198 and 1198 S and 1098 R substantially reduces the moment of inertia, enabling a faster change of direction and enhanced acceleration and braking performances. The construction of the rear wheels are equally as impressive with considerable weight savings over traditional Ducati single-sided swingarm fitments.

The 848 is equipped with Y-shaped, 5-spoke wheels which are finished in black while the 1198 rides on new style 10-spoke wheels finished in a subtle graphite grey. As usual, the 1198 S goes to the next level by rolling out on the new 7-spoke GP replica wheels. These beautifully lightweight, forged-aluminium, machine-finished wheels are colour-matched to the Trellis frame in a sophisticated bronze. Lightweight Marchesini Y-shaped, 5-spoke wheels created from forged then machined alloy and finished in racing gold are used for the 1098 R, and a matte black finish selected to contrast against the special livery of the 1098 R Bayliss.

While the 848 uses Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa PRO 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres, the 1198, 1198 S and 1098 R models are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC at 120/70 ZR17 for the front fitment and 190/55 ZR17 for the rear. These tyres provide shoulder areas designed to maximize contact patch area and length and carcass specially designed for stiffness under heavy braking and precision during high speed cornering.

Magnesium subframe
Producing a front subframe in magnesium underlines the attention to weight-saving detail. Its construction provides secure support for the headlamp, instruments and fairing and the weight-saving around this high, forward position contributes considerably to overall feel and control of the machine.

Aerodynamic bodywork
Carefully designed for aerodynamic efficiency and to hug the sleek lines of the chassis, the 848, 1198 and 1098 R bodywork enables the rider to blend effortlessly into the race-oriented riding position.

Its race-developed fairing design ensures perfect integration with the cooling system by providing efficient flow through the advanced, large surface area coolant radiator, which is assisted by lightweight, high flow electric fan assemblies and oil coolers. Aerodynamically shaped air ducts positioned just below the headlamps are precisely calculated to provide ample air delivery to the pressurised airbox.

The lightweight bodywork contributes considerably to overall performance by reducing weight, protecting the Testastretta Evoluzione engines power output, and assisting the rider to effortlessly tuck in from the wind stream and reduce drag to achieve maximum straight-line track speeds.



Superbike Electronics and Innovation

Instrumentation
This pure racing digital instrumentation originating from Ducatis MotoGP project, has no switches or buttons to compromise its clean, minimalist lines. Instead, information additional to the default read-outs is managed from the left-hand handlebar-mounted switch gear, allowing the rider to scroll through and select from various menus. The display, which now has a bright white LED back lighting for the 1198 and 1198 S, presents rpm and speed, with the former displayed across the screen in a progressive bar graph. Optionally, the rpm and speed can be displayed in numeric values.


Additionally, it displays lap times, DTC level selected (if activated on 1198 S and 1098 R) time, air temperature, coolant temperature, battery voltage, two trips and a trip that automatically starts as the fuel system goes onto reserve. Warning lights illuminate to signify neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, low oil pressure, fuel reserve, DTC intervention (if activated on 1198 S and 1098 R) and scheduled maintenance. The instrument display is also used as the control panels for the DDA and DTC systems as well as listing lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

Traction control
For the first time ever on a Ducati production motorcycle, a true competition-level traction control system for the road comes integrated into the 1198 S and 1098 R electronics as standard equipment. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system further underlines Ducatis technology flow from racing to production and demonstrates how solutions developed for the track can be applied to enhance safety on the road.

DTC uses the same software logic developed and used by Ducati Corse for their world championship winning MotoGP and World Superbike motorcycles and offers a choice of eight settings developed by their professional test riders and racers.

Accessible from the left-hand switchgear and displayed on the digital instrumentation, the system offers a choice of eight profiles. Each one has been programmed with a wheel-spin tolerance matched to progressive riding levels of skill graded from one to eight. While level eight administers a confidence-building, high level of interaction from the system by activating upon the slightest amount of wheel-spin, level one offers a much higher tolerance and so much less intervention for highly competent riders. When the level is selected and DTC activated, the level is displayed on the instrumentation.

When the profile that best suits the combination of road or track conditions and riding style has been selected and the DTC system activated, front and rear wheel sensors compare speed differential to sense when rear traction is being broken (wheel-spin). High speed software then makes instant electronic adjustment to the fuel injection, taking immediate control over power output so as to restore traction at the rear wheel. A warning light is displayed during DTC interaction. As soon as the system recognises the return of equal wheel speeds, it re-establishes normal power delivery. In this way, DTC provides a considerable increase in safety during mid-corner acceleration.

The DTC system is supplied as standard equipment on the 1198 S and 1098 R models.

Data acquisition
The Ducati Data Analyser (DDA) - complete with PC software, a USB-ready data retrieval card and instructions - evaluates the performances of the bike and its rider, and make comparisons between various channels of information. The DDA is available for the 848 and 1198 from Ducati Accessories, and is supplied as standard equipment on the 1198 S and 1098 R models.

Normally only available on race bikes, DDA records numerous channels of data including throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, engine temperature, distance travelled, laps and lap times. The system also automatically calculates engine rpm and vehicle speed data so as to display gear selection as an extra channel of information. An additional channel of information is now dedicated to recording the DTC index which can then be viewed as a graphic trace and indicates the amount of DTC interaction during wheel-spin. At the end of a ride or track session, an upgraded 4mb of data can be downloaded to a PC ready to compare, analyse and get an inside view of the performance of the rider and motorcycle.

Data can be analysed in graphic form with options to zoom into detail of specific sections. Dragging a trace along a timeline to reveal individual values of the above listed channels enables the user to analyse performance in the same way that data technicians can in factory teams. The latest version software is now compatible with Windows Vista™ and allows data to be compared with that from a completely separate session and for pages of data to be printed off easily.

Lights and indicators
The horizontal twin headlamps, a signature Ducati style from the iconic 916, have been modernised with the latest lighting technology. Two polyellipsoidal units light the way with a powerful beam while maintaining an aggressive look to the front of the machine in pure Ducati Superbike tradition. The units used on the 1198 and 1098 R now save over 0.5kg (1.2lb) over previous versions, reducing weight from a crucial high frontal area which enhances the overall vehicle handling and all-important feel of the front-end.

The rear light employs a specially designed strip of LEDs enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece. The same LEDs are intensified for brake lights.

The directional indicators also use the latest in LED technology for illumination. The frontal indicators are beautifully integrated into the rear view mirrors and, for the 1198, 1198 S and 1098 R, now come with an optional spacer kit enabling an extension of 30mm over the standard mirror stem length.