A brace of 1198s.

The 1098 is being replaced by the 1198, with a larger 1198 cc, 170 hp motor and traction control, and comes in three formats; the standard, the S and the R.

All three models use the new Testastretta Evoluzione engine which apart from the capacity boost, has bigger valves, greater cam lift and bigger throttle bodies. The motor is also 3 Kg lighter than the 1098.

The S model does the usual Ducati thing of gaining Ohlins suspension, Marchesini cast wheels and a carbon fibre front fender to lose a couple of kilos over the standard's claimed dry weight of 171 Kg.

We're not sure what the R does but its likely all the more spankier and expensive.

The rest is about identical to the 1098. More info when we get it.

1098 strips off and gets aggressive.

Ducati's much-rumoured entry into the "street fighter" market (think Triumph Speed Triple, Aprilia Tuono, etc. -- basically naked sport bikes) is now official.

The bike is based closely on the outgoing 1098, and unlike many other slightly homogenized sport bike-to-street fighter machines, it pretty much keeps the high-end sports stuff intact while changing riding position and losing the sports fairing.

There are two models planned, called the Streetfighter and Streetfighter S. Ducati says both use the identical frame and engine to the 1098 including the single-side swingarm, meaning something that handles pretty well and whacks out about 155 horsepower to boot.

We haven't seen detailed specs yet, but rumour has the wheelbase a touch longer than the 1098's; likely an attempt to reduce the wheelie tendency created by the more upright and weight-rearward riding position.

Nice arse though.

The 'S' model is a bit lighter, and features forged Marchesini wheels and Ohlins suspension, plus race-level electronics such as traction control and on-board data acquisition system.

The traction control system modifies engine output in response to wheel-spin, and features eight settings to allow the rider to fine-tune his bike's (mis)behaviour to suit the mood of the moment (and rider ability, of course).

The data acquisition system can store and retrieve various bits of data from track sessions or a road trip, and that's about all we know about it at this point. 

No fairing, dual mufflers, and of course a more upright riding position distinguish the looks of the Streetfighters. More info when we get it.

Standard 1100 Monster.

The re-vamp of Ducati’s Monster line-up should now be complete with the announcement of the new Monster 1100 and 1100S for 2009.

The 1100 uses a lightened air-cooled, 1078 cc Desmo motor, with 2 valve heads, six speed box and a dry clutch. Max claimed horsepower is 95 at 7,500 rpm, with a maximum torque of 76 ft-lb at 6,000 rpm.

The usual Duacti Trellis frame uses a new aluminium single sided swing arm with 43 mm USD forks up front. Overall ride height is 40 mm up (with a seat height of 810 mm) on the 696 Monster for greater clearance and therefore increased lean angles.

S version gets a few trinkets.

Braking is by twin four piston calipers and 320 mm discs up front and a single two piston caliper and 245 mm disc out back. Wheels are aluminium 17 inchers with Y-spokes. At 168.6 kg (371 lb) for the 1100 and a kilo less for the 1100S, they're 8 kg less than the S2R 1000 and are even undercutting high-tech 600 sport bikes for weight.

The Monster 1100S shares the basic layout of the standard but has fancier Ohlins suspension, aluminum front disc brake holders and a spattering of carbon fibre (cam belt covers, silencer guards, front fender) to save that 1 kg of weight. Oh, and the wheels come in a gold colour.

Body/frame colour options are red, silver/red and black for the standard, and red or white/black for the S version. The Monster 1100 will sell for $13,495.00 and the S model will go for $15,695.00.

GT 1000 goes touring.

The GT 1000 retro bike gets kitted out in touring trim to become the GT1000 Touring, complete with chrome fenders, a luggage rack, taller bars, windshield and a black paint job (with a white stripe).

Okay, some might expect that to include some hard bags too, but apparently that's not the Italian way of doing touring. No, just a chrome back-rack and a beautiful woman on the rear, si?

The new GT1000 will sell for $12,995.00 and will be available in March 2009.