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2012 Ducati 1998 SP MotoGP Technologies

The New 2012 Ducati 1198 SP Superbikes are the product of a team of designers and engineers who have combined their Ducati MotoGP and World Superbike technologies to create the finest sportbikes in the world. From race-level engine specifications to World Championship-winning traction control and quickshift electronics, the results are pure excellence. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC) system further confirms Ducati's technology flow from racing to production and demonstrates how solutions developed for the track can be applied to enhance safer performance on the road.The lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided swingarm enable 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.

2012 Ducati 1998 SP
Working together with this highly efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Showa single shock for the 848EVO and 1198, and an incredible Öhlins unit for the 1198 SP with TTX twin tube technology providing totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound. The system uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimise friction and reduce the risk of cavitation under extreme conditions.The 2011 Ducati 1198 SP with TTX twin tube technology providing totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound. The system uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimise friction and reduce the risk of cavitation under extreme conditions. The 1198 SP 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.

2012 Ducati 1998 SP
This pure racing digital instrumentation originating from Ducati's 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 has a bright white LED back lighting 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 and 1198 SP) 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, highbeam, rev-limit, low oil pressure, fuel reserve, DTC intervention (if activated on Ducati 1198 SP) and scheduled maintenance. The instrument display is also used as the control panels for the DDA (supplied as standard equipment with the 1198 and 1198 SP), DTC and DQS systems as well as listing lap times recorded by using the high-beam flash button as a stopwatch.

The horizontal twin headlamps, a signature Ducati style from the iconic 916, are 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 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, which come with an optional spacer kit enabling an extension of 30mm over the standard mirror stem length.

2012 Ducati 1998 SP
The Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) system is the first time that a race-style electronic quick-shift has been supplied as original equipment on a production Ducati. Normally used specifically for racing, the system allows the rider to keep the throttle open when changing-up through the gearbox, helping to save vital seconds in the pursuit of faster lap-times. The system not only saves time when changing gear, but also enables the possibility of uninterrupted air flow through the throttle bodies throughout the upward gearchanging process.

The system consists of a micro-switch built into the linkage of the gear change lever, which when actuated in the direction of selecting a higher gear, sends a signal to the main ECU. The ECU instantly understands which gear the motorcycle is in by calculating the rpm and vehicle speed and then reads the amount of throttle opening before applying a pre-programmed cut in fuel injection and ignition measured in milliseconds. This spilt-second electronic interruption in drive is programmed precisely to allow the next gear to be selected without having to actuate the clutch or close the throttle.

The DQS system can be deactivated by entering the control panel in the motorcycle’s instrumentation and is reactivated by default the next time the ignition is turned on. As the system only functions for a matter of milliseconds, the 1198 and 1198 SP can still be ridden using a normal gear-changing style.

The 2012 Ducati 1198 SP is supplied with the Ducati Data Analysis (DDA), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from a previous track session or road trip and DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction. DQS allows the throttle to remain open when changing-up through the gearbox, helping to save vital seconds in the pursuit of faster lap-times.

The 2012 Ducati 1198 SP is supplied with the Ducati Data Analysis (DDA), Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from a previous track session or road trip and DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction. DQS allows the throttle to remain open when changing-up through the gearbox, helping to save vital seconds in the pursuit of faster lap-times.

The Testastretta Evoluzione engine is the crowning glory of Ducati's development and perfection of the LTwin engine. World Superbike dominance for almost two decades is the result of continual commitment to their twin-cylinder configuration. Ducati share the reward for that commitment with World Championship winning technologies constantly flowing from the factory race team into production engines.

The incredible 1198 and 1198 SP are all powered by a liquid cooled, L-Twin, Desmodromic engine that produces 170hp (125kW) @ 9,750rpm and a class-beating 97lb-ft (13.4kgm) of torque @ 8,000rpm. The 1198 achieves its capacity by using exactly the same 106 x 67.9 bore and stroke as the factory race bike. Volumetric efficiency through the four valves per cylinder is optimised with valve diameters at 43.5mm for the inlet and 35.5mm for the exhaust. They are actuated by racing-type rocker arms, 'superfinished' for reduced friction and fatigue, and double overhead camshafts with radical profiles.

The incredible valve performances achieved are only possible because of Ducati's unique Desmodromic system, where valve closure is activated mechanically. At high rpm it would be almost impossible for the valve to follow the steep closure profile of the cam lobe if it were relying upon a normal valve spring. With the Desmo system, the valve is closed mechanically with the same accuracy as it is opened, enabling steep cam profiles and radical cam timings. This system is used on every single Ducati motorcycle including their world-beating Superbike and Desmosedici MotoGP bikes.

To keep Ducati's highly efficient Testastretta cylinder heads breathing to their full potential, the injection system uses racing size elliptical throttle bodies, which are an equivalent diameter of 63.9mm. The race-designed 1198 pistons have a distinctive double-ribbed undercrown to achieve high strength and reduced friction by using minimal piston wall surface area. Using technology developed for the Desmosedici MotoGP project, the design enables reliable operation of the 106mm diameter pistons when performing at high rpm.

The 2011 1198 SP Testastretta Evoluzione engines are the lightest ever used in Ducati Superbikes, thanks to Vacural technology, a crankcase vacuum die-cast manufacturing process yielding weight reductions of 3kg (6.5lbs) compared to the first generation 1098 cases. The vacuum die-cast process ensures consistent and precise wall thickness and increased strength from absolute material purity. The weight-saving cam covers in magnesium-alloy are evident by their gold colour, while the alloy outer clutch and generator covers sport a black finish.

The Ducati 1198 SP gears are machined from the same high-strength steel used in Ducati Corse race applications and are subjected to a shot-peening treatment that further ensures their strength and reduced fatigue. Specifically for the track-ready 1198 SP, a dry, multiplate competition-style 'slipper' clutch is used to reduce the destabilising effect of aggressive downshifting and to provide the fine control required during extreme corner entry on the track.

The 1198, 1198 SP feature a beautiful and efficient exhaust system. Incredibly lightweight, it has been engineered with a power-increasing symmetrical 2-1-2 layout that uses 52mm-57mm diameter tubing with a wall thickness of 0.8mm (.030in). It is equipped with a catalytic converter and two lambda probes for optimum engine mapping and Euro3 conformity. The system terminates with Ducati's trademark twin under seat silencers, delivering that unmistakable signature sound of the big bore Desmo 90° L-Twin.

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