Over the years, Ducati has built a pristine reputation as one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world. They’re expensive as heck, too, but that’s besides the point. The point here is that it doesn’t take a lot to make a Ducati bike an eye-catcher, but if you’re really trying to hit for the fences and going a tad overboard is an open option, then maybe you’ll find these special edition 1098 and 1198 Ducati bikes suitable for your palette.
Designed by Danish artist, Kristian van Hornsleth, these special edition bikes have been dressed up in 10 unique – and that’s saying it lightly –paint schemes, all of which fall under Hornsleth’s “Kill Me Fast” series.
We don’t know how appropriate the name is given that these machines are about as close to a death ride for the reckless as it can get– a 0-60 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of 198.8 mph does that to you – but considering the meticulous detail and flashiness of the designs, there’s something mysteriously alluring about these bikes.
Not that we can afford one, but hey, we can settle for everything short of actually buying one, including needlessly looking at the photos far longer than we should. Check them out and you might end up doing the same.
The most advanced superbike models coming from the Bologna, Italy house are the Ducati 1198, 1198 S, 1198 S Corse and 1198 R Corse, all which might look like the discontinued 1098 R, but are in fact entirely different creations with enhanced all-around performance and decent price tags.
Built using experience gathered in years of racing, the 1198 series is composed of uncompromising superbikes representing the unique Italian styling and the innovative maker’s solutions to keep things safe and interesting on the track as well as on the road.
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Ever wondered how official motorcycle videos are made? We did too and came to find that it is a great deal of work now that Ducati released the backstage videos for two of their 2010 models, the Ducati 1198 and Ducati Hypermotard 1100.
Remember that these are professional riders performing on closed courses and there’s still a great deal of risk for the guys with the cameras as they are often filming/photographing skids and slides with themselves as targets. Follow the jump to see how the Italians from Ducati make their motorcycle videos.
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For 2010, Ducati changed the 1098R model name into 1198R, but displacement remains the same – 1198.4cc – which makes the change obvious and things clearer. What is fizically new to the bike compared to the previous 1098R Troy Bayliss LE is an aluminium fuel tank, Termignoni exhaust system and a paddock stand, but you’ll only spot that if you’re willing to look beyond the gorgeous Corse paint job.
Apart from looks, the price – although not yet announced – will be the other factor making the 2010 Ducati 1198R Corse exclusive. Still, models such as the 1198S Corse and 848 Dark Edition have the same build quality and should cost less.
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This Ducati 1198S got in the hands of the guys at Red Fenix, who have made it worth 100,000 euros (US$144,000). It is now called the Ducati 1198RF and comes with a host of upgrades and modifications that only the most ostentatious or incredibly skilled of you out there could possibly demand for: 17-inch magnesium alloy wheels from Marvic, which are wrapped up in a pair of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires, 47mm K-Service fork, slightly reduced wheelbase, repositioned Brembo front brake disc (for better cooling) and an engine retuned by the Milan-based Desmolupo.
In the end, you get pretty much a race bike that has an additional 10-11 horsepower, goes faster around bends and only requires one finger on the lever to stop from racing speeds. Is that worth the extra $122,205, given the fact that a factory-equipped 2009 Ducati 1198S starts at $21,795?
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