[Ducati] DUCATI PRESENTS 2008 RANGE OF BIKES IN MILAN

[Veloce916 at aol.com]

DUCATI  PRESENTS 2008 RANGE  OF BIKES IN MILAN 
WORLD PREVIEW OF  NEW MONSTER 696 - SUPERBIKE RANGE COMPLETED WITH 
INTRODUCTION OF NEW  848 AND FLAGSHIP 1098 R MODEL 
Milan,  Italy (November  5th, 2007) – The  entire 2008 Ducati range will be 
on display at the 65th edition of the EICMA  International Motorcycle 
Exhibition, in Milan from November 6-11. New bikes, new  accessories and a new line of 
apparel all form part of the innovative 2008  line-up for the Bologna 
manufacturer.     
In a press  conference held before the exhibition officially opened, Gabriele 
Del Torchio,  Ducati Motor CEO, met representatives from international media 
to illustrate the  Bologna-based company’s fantastic results on a sporting and 
commercial level - a  confirmation of its recent unprecedented success.   
“The continuous growth that Ducati is experiencing is confirmed by  positive 
economic and financial results for the third successive quarter, which  we 
have presented to our investors,” declared Del Torchio at the press conference.  “
The new products that we have brought to EICMA  represent the result of the 
research and the technological development that  Ducati is offering with this 
new range. They also confirm that Ducati is a  company which is based on 
product and will make up our sales target for the next  few years. Our future plans 
are clear and precise: Ducati will continue to be  the leader in the premium 
bike sector, confirming the passion, the Italian  style, the unrivalled design 
and the superior track-honed performance that make  up our DNA.” 
The  undisputed star of the Milan Show is the new  Ducati Monster 696. 
Refined style and design are the clear  motivations behind the new Monster and the 
continued perfection of the Desmo  engine ensures that its ‘saint and sinner’ 
image will impress any rider. A  comfortable and confidence-inspiring chassis 
combine with the famously smooth  and powerful Ducati L-Twin engine to provide 
the most enjoyable riding  experience. The balance of new technologies 
expressed in stylishly finished  materials is shaped around the original cool 
Monster heritage.   
Maintaining  its traditional Monster silhouette, the 696 now looks more 
muscular than ever.  Its wide tank tapers to the thin  waistline of a comfortable 
narrow seat ensuring sure-footed confidence when at  the traffic lights. The 
large diameter Hybrid  Trellis frame blends stylishly into an aluminium 
sub-frame and swingarm while  minimalist instrumentation and simple controls at the 
front of the Monster  contrast with twin, bold, Ducati-style  mufflers at the 
rear to enhance its urban-ready  image. 
The chassis  of the new Monster is made up of a new Hybrid Trellis frame with 
larger diameter  tubes; attached to a rear aluminium sub-frame. The front 
brake system is the  envy of its class and becomes the new benchmark for the 
category with two 320mm  discs and four-piston radial calipers.  
At the rear,  the dual-sided aluminium swingarm draws inspiration from Ducati 
Corse’s finest  racing products in this area. The dash instrumentation is now 
totally digital  and continues the tradition of all Ducati’s 
latest-generation sport models,  guaranteeing lightness, ease of use and a wealth of 
information. The new exhaust  system stands out with its re-routed downpipes that give 
the underside of the  Monster a cleaner appearance and terminate with twin, 
bold Ducati-style  mufflers. The headlamp unit is characterized by a new triple 
arc main beam,  while the rear light uses modern LED  technology. 
The engine  of the new 696 is an evolution of the previous 695 version. 
Measuring 696cc it  boasts a series of updates and refinements. Power output gets a 
9% boost to 80hp  and an 11% increase in torque to 50.6 lb-ft. This new 
engine continues to have  the best horsepower per litre ratio of all Ducati’s ai
r-cooled units, and it  ensures a smooth and powerful delivery for a relaxed but 
thrilling ride in all  conditions. 
For 2008,  the Superbike family features two important additions: the 
introduction of a  mid-engine size version, the light and nimble  848, and an extreme 
racing version  for all those who demand the maximum performance, the 1098 R; 
which  will take part in the 2008 World Superbike  Championship. 
The new  848 enjoys all  the performance advancements of the entire Superbike 
family, while adding its  own innovations to redefine the middleweight sport 
bike class. The words ‘agile’  and ‘refined’ aptly describe the 848. At 
168kg (369lbs) the 848 is an amazing  20kg (44lbs) lighter than its predecessor, 
and a significant 5kg (11lbs) lighter  than its larger capacity brother, the 
1098.  
The highly  advanced 848 engine uses an improved method of engine case 
production in which  cases are vacuum die-cast formed. While providing significant 
weight savings of  more than 6.5lbs, this method also ensures consistent wall 
thickness and  increased strength. Further refinements include a sophisticated 
wet clutch that  offers 2.2lbs less weight, a much longer service interval, 
improved clutch feel  and quiet operation. With the first twist of the wrist, 
the powerful rush of the  Testastretta Evoluzione engine confirms that the rules 
have changed. The 848’s  134hp is not only 30% more powerful than its 
predecessor, but it provides a  power-to-weight ratio even better than the potent 
999. The 2008 848 Superbike  will be available in both Red and Pearl White, with 
an MSRP of  $12,995 
The new 1098  R is the most  powerful and lightest twin-cylinder bike ever 
produced by the Borgo Panigale  factory, with the highest torque/weight ratio of 
any sport bike available. A  total of 180hp is on tap for this new Superbike, 
together with an amazing torque  value of 100 lb/ft. The weight figure also 
confirms the racing origins of the  1098 R: 364 lbs puts the bike at the 
forefront of this category. The 1098 R is  supplied with a racing kit for track use. 
This is made up of a pair of “102dB”  carbon mufflers and dedicated ECU, 
which boost the already exceptional  performance of this new twin-cylinder 
Ducati. With this kit the rider can also  activate dialog between the ECU and the 
DTC (Ducati Traction Control) system,  which is fitted to a production bike for 
the first time ever. The racing kit will also boost power output to 186  bhp. 
The 1098 R will be available in a Red Monoposto  configuration, with an MSRP 
of $39,995. 
Also on  display at EICMA will be the definitive version of the Desmosedici 
RR, derived  from the MotoGP bike, of which 1500 will be produced and the 
special Tricolore version of the Monster S4R S, which features a front  fairing, 
seat cover and fuel tank in the red, white and green colours of the  Italian 
flag together with gold frame and wheel rims. 
The new 2008  range is completed by the black version of the Hypermotard 1100 
S and the new  two-colour grey-liveried version of the GT 1000, as well as 
numerous new  accessories, special components and a new collection of Ducati 
clothing.    
For more information about these new  models and the rest of Ducati’s 2008 
model line, please visit _www.ducatiusa.com_ (http://www.ducatiusa.com/) .  



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com