SELLER SAYS: One owner. Immaculate condition. Service history. Many extras including original parts, workshop manual, special tools, Ducati stand and cover. Reasonable offers considered. Contact Michael on 0408 213 464 (Geraldton, WA)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: The year 2008 was a very good one for Ducati, for two reasons. The first reason was this bike — the 1098 arrived to adoration from moto journos, Ducati lovers and (genuine and would-be) Ducati buyers alike. Truth be told, there was nothing wrong with the 1098’s predecessor – the 999 – except its vertical twin-headlight styling and dual-sided swingarm were unloved. A little style tweaking and some modest engineering changes were enough for the market to hail the 1098 as a return to Ducati’s glory days. And the bike deserved all the love. It was gorgeous, channelling the sublime 916, and it was right-proper fast — fast enough for us to segue on to the second reason why 2008 was such a good year for Ducati: 39-year-old Troy Bayliss. In what turned out to be Bayliss’ farewell season, the ageing Aussie gave Ducati the 2008 World Superbike crown. Even today, it’s 160hp motor, 173kg weight, renowned Ducati handling and top-shelf suspension make it a glorious open-class superbike. This bike of Michael’s looks like a magnificent example, one that would suit a road-rider, track-day tragic, or Ducati/sports bike collector. Marvellous stuff.
