There is no doubt that Ducati faced a huge task when it undertook replacing the 999 in 2007, especially after that model's lukewarm response in the market. The result - the 1098 - represented not only a change in direction for the Superbike family, but also a new bearing for the company and how it develops and manufactures a new model. Ducati 1098/1198: The Superbike Redefined by Marc Cook, details the entire process involved with the creation of the 1098, and how the company changed along with it.
It's obvious immediately that this book is well researched, and the author had access to many of the people involved with the project - including Claudio Domenicali, head of product development; Andrea Ferraresi, head of design; Andrea Forni, technical director; and many other people intimate with the project. Chapters in the book cover the 1098's styling, development, engine, chassis and assembly, with tremendous amounts of detail accompanied by beautiful photography at every step. Separate chapters cover the 1098R/1198R and 848 models, and riding impressions for each model are also incorporated. Controversial at the time the 1098 was introduced was how Ducati backtracked on many of the innovations utilized in the previous generation 999 and incorporated styling cues from the popular and iconic 916 model. Marc Cook co-authored (with Alan Cathcart) a similar book on the 999, and as such is able to present an inside view as to how the 1098 in fact borrows from both bikes, and how this aspect of the 1098's design and development affected the company as a whole.
Ducati 1098/1198: The Superbike Redefined is, obviously, a must-have for anyone that owns a Ducati 1098 or any of its derivatives. But you don't have to be a Ducatisti to appreciate and enjoy this book as it's an interesting look at the long and involved process that takes any motorcycle - not just a Ducati - from concept to finished product.
What We're Testing
Bell Transitions SOLFX Faceshield
Constantly changing out your tinted faceshield for a clear one when it gets dark can be hassle, as you have to store the shield somewhere where it won't get scratched up. Bell Helmets now has its Transitions SOLFX faceshield that changes tint during the daytime, then goes clear at night.
Redline Center Stand
Doing any maintenance on the rear shock of a sportbike can be a pain, as the bike's rear portion must be supported with no weight on the swingarm. Enter Redline Engineering's new Center Stand that uses adaptor pins to support the bike by the swingarm pivot shaft, which is hollow on most bikes.
Dynojet Power Commander V W/Autotune
Dynojet's latest piggyback fueling module features - among other things - smaller size, map adjustment based on gear and speed, separate cylinder mapping and larger adjustment range for secondary injector-equipped bikes. The AutoTune accessory uses a wide-band O2 sensor for real-time fuel adjustment.