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1098s or 1198s? Purchase Advice

22011 Views 44 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  markgrise
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a used 1198s.

After searching for 1098s' for several weeks, I've learned the 1198s isn't much more expensive.

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the 1198s has traction control, 100 more cc's, BUT doesn't come with the stock Termignoni exhaust system.

Given that I don't care about the 100cc's, can anyone tell me if the traction control is worth the difference, considering I am going to purchase a Termignoni exhaust if I purchase the 1198s?

Is there anything else I'm missing?
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If the two were the same price, you should absolutely go 1198. TCS is a big plus.

If you could save thousands and the 1098 is more power than you desire, then you can weigh it out. There are fixes in the 1198 such as the radiator n other crap that the 1098 may not have.

I have a 1098, It's track only and I am fine with no TCS, but I am not Marquez. I'd love to have the best of the best, but thats how it is right now for me.

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a used 1198s.

After searching for 1098s' for several weeks, I've learned the 1198s isn't much more expensive.

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the 1198s has traction control, 100 more cc's, BUT doesn't come with the stock Termignoni exhaust system.

Given that I don't care about the 100cc's, can anyone tell me if the traction control is worth the difference, considering I am going to purchase a Termignoni exhaust if I purchase the 1198s?

Is there anything else I'm missing?
The 1198 is a much updated motor, well worth the extra money. I wouldn't even think about buying a 1098, there is just no reason with so many nice 1198's around.
Thanks.

I have had a few Kawasaki ZX-6R's and have always respected the bike. I'll rip on it a little bit, but I still have 1 inch chicken strips.

I've always liked Ducati's, so this is a big step up for me. It'll be awhile before I feel comfortable leaning it more.

That said, is the traction control noticeable? Is it that big of a deal over the Termi exhaust?

Thanks again
They're BOTH great bikes.

Although, if you can find a clean 1198S and the deal is good one, go for it.
I have never ridden a bike with TC so I have nothing to compare it to…

But, my 1098s has a slipper clutch and I love it! Coming from a RC51 with wheel hop coming hot into corners, the slipper is just easy to ride and simply fantastic. As for TC, I don't think I will need it for the street and the 1098s has far more power & torque I could ever use on the street.

If you can get great deal on either go for it! You won't regret either....

Good luck!
The 1098S did not come with termis either. The owner of the bike you are looking at added it on.
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I own a 1098s and love it! My only compliants would be a lack of a gear indicator and a slipper clutch. Thinks i can add sure but would be nice if they came with it. Ive never ridden an 1198s but if you can get one for a price in your budget i would go that way.
Try to find one with low offset triples. They're a huge improvement.
1098 motors also had some bottom end issues which were sorted on the 1198 motors. I'm not sure if it was only on certain year 1098's, but they had some clearance issues.
I had them both, the 1198 gets hotter but once you open it up it all goes away.
1198S is my choice
While your looking at the 1198 may as well see if you can get your hands on a numbered Corse Edition while you're at it man! I had one and it not only has a different killer paint job and look, but there are only so many of them made so it's an extra bonus! Not sure what the price difference is between that and regular S but may be worth it in long run? :)
While your looking at the 1198 may as well see if you can get your hands on a numbered Corse Edition while you're at it man! I had one and it not only has a different killer paint job and look, but there are only so many of them made so it's an extra bonus! Not sure what the price difference is between that and regular S but may be worth it in long run? :)
One running on Ebay right now...
"Aluminum tank" that alone is worth the extra search!
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I'm having second thoughts on the 1198S. I can pick up a 1198s for 11k with 4500mi, and it's all stock. Or, I can try to find a 1098 for 7500k with termi's.

Since it's not likely I'll ever take it to a track, is the extra $ worth it for normal street riding, or is it exclusivity and bragging rights. Don't get me wrong, I really want the 1198s, but an extra $3,500 and the added 1-2k for a full term exhaust is making me question my needs.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm torn.
Breathe man.

Do the 1198.

You can always add any exhaust you want later.

You can have the suspension adjusted for you, and what riding style you have.

It's a newer bike over the 1098.

The 1198 sticker looks cooler than the 1098 sticker.

All the cool kids have one.....
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Coming from a guy who has slide his 848 numerous times on the track (some are enjoyable, some are downright scary), and crashed his 848 twice due to lost of traction, and now on 1199, if you can get TCS you should!
It makes trackday multiple times more enjoyable.
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I'm having second thoughts on the 1198S. I can pick up a 1198s for 11k with 4500mi, and it's all stock. Or, I can try to find a 1098 for 7500k with termi's.

Since it's not likely I'll ever take it to a track, is the extra $ worth it for normal street riding, or is it exclusivity and bragging rights. Don't get me wrong, I really want the 1198s, but an extra $3,500 and the added 1-2k for a full term exhaust is making me question my needs.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm torn.

In your financial calculations, don't forget to leave some slack for the money you'll have to spend to achieve the Legendary Ducati Handling you probably assume you'll get by virtue of purchasing a Ducati. The 1x98s in fact come equipped with Notoriously Bad Ducati Handling from the factory, primarily due to the large offset of the triple trees, which provide nowhere near enough trail in the front end. Trail is the single most important parameter in delivering good steering feel, and a triple tree change is required to get the correct amount. The 'correct amount' is the topic of some debate, with recommendations running from lower offset triples in the range of 25 to 30 mm, but as far as I'm aware no one has argued that the stock triples provide it. I mentioned in a previous post that this change results in a huge improvement; the logically equivalent statement is that the stock triples are a huge handicap and give the bike a solid 'medicore turd' rating in the handling department. Wonder if that will generate some comment! And this is not just a matter of a few hundredths on the track; the bike is an awkward partner even at sane street speeds. If you care to look, you'll find threads along the lines of 'should i push on the inside bar, pull on the outside bar, step on the outside peg, dangle my inside leg, or hold my mouth like this to get it to do what i want'. And you'll probably want to change both the springs and valving at both ends if you buy a stock bike, a relatively minor issue compared to the dysfunctional triples. The good news is that when it's right, it's really right; your inputs always seem to be exactly the right amount, it rails through turns and still adjusts line easily, which the Pilot 3s I currently have mounted seem especially good at. Years ago I rode a friend's 200x Yam R1; he'd replaced the forks and shocks with Ohlins, but it was otherwise stock. Its handling was unquestionably better than my then stock 1098. Looked like no one else was going to tell you, so I thought I would.
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Coming from a guy who has slide his 848 numerous times on the track (some are enjoyable, some are downright scary), and crashed his 848 twice due to lost of traction, and now on 1199, if you can get TCS you should!
It makes trackday multiple times more enjoyable.
Marmoot, what did you change on your 848, and how does the Panigale handling compare? You can tell at a glance that the 1199 has low offset triples, and the spec sheet confirms it with trail of 100mm listed.
For the average rider there really isn't a need to drop the cash on the triples especially if they are just using the bike for a street bike. If you plan to track the bike often then that is a different story. The handling between the 1x98 and panigale is drastically different out of the box. The panigale is much more compliant in that regard. If you get a 1x98 you will have a blast on the street or track whichever route you go. I think most people get hung up on the triples whom aren't even close to using the whole or near whole potential of these bikes, especially on the street. 2 cents
Danny,

Thanks for the reply. Have you ridden one that's been fixed and decided you're not interested? I'd be amazed if so. I'd suggest that a big part of the Panigale superiority you describe is directly attributable to Ducati addressing the triple tree issue of the 1x98s. I agree it's not necessary, but neither are the expensive, mostly non-functional billet and carbon items owners spend thousands on. I'll spend my money on a big improvement in the riding experience any day, and no one who's made the change describes it otherwise. The world is full of poor handling bikes - I certainly don't have any need for one that's expensive and unreliable to boot!
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