2011 Ducati Superbike Equipment & Handling
Championship winning technology for superior 'feel'
The 848 EVO , 1198 & 1198SP chassis and suspension received detailed study and a 'performance-first' priority approach to development.
The goal was to achieve considerable weight saving and build-in strength and rigidity to manage the high-powered Testastretta Evoluzione engines. Ducati have built 'biposto' (twin seat) practicality into the 848 EVO, 1198 and 1198SP with a passenger seat and footpegs. As with the race bikes from which they are derived, each and every component is designed to contribute to achieving superior road holding and stability.
Trellis frame
Developed in cooperation with Ducati Corse, the lightweight Trellis frame features 34mm main section tubes with a material thickness of 1.5mm.
The result is an incredibly rigid construction that remains one of Ducati's lightest frame solutions ever. Adding style to performance, the three colour versions for the 848 use frames finished in 'red' and 'racing graphite' while the rosso fairing colour for the 1198 uses a 'racing black' frame. Both 1198 SP colour schemes feature a traditional rosso red finish chassis.
Front suspension
Both the 848 EVO and 1198 feature fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders of the 1198, while spectacular 43mm Öhlins with low friction titanium nitride-treated sliders are used on the 1198SPAll front suspension solutions have Brembo radial brake caliper mountings providing superior road holding and incredible feedback to give every rider more confidence and control .
Rear suspension
The lightweight Trellis frame and single-sided swingarm have enabled a compact and
weight-saving rear suspension linkage system that features separate 
lower pick-up points for the push-rod and suspension unit.
This 'tandem' design effectively reduces stress around the linkage pick-up area of the Trellis frame. Working together with this highly efficient linkage is a fully adjustable Showa single shock for the 848 EVO and 1198.
The higher specification Öhlins for the rear of the 1198SP uses TTXR twin tube technology and offers totally separate damping adjustment in compression and rebound. It uses experience gained in MotoGP to minimise friction and reduce the risk of cavitation under extreme conditions. The 1198 and 1198SP rear suspension system has an adjustable rear ride-height, independent of spring pre-load and other suspension settings - valuable when seeking the perfect set-up for personal riding style or track conditions.
Single-sided swingarm
The dual construction technique used for the single-sided swingarm sees the main operational components use individual aluminium castings so as to ensure strength around the pivot points, wheel hub and suspension links, with fabricated aluminium sections used to complete the construction into a single, beautifully engineered component.
Both the 848 EVO and 1198SP swingarms are colour finished in black.
Aluminium Fuel Tank (SP only)
The new beautifully formed factory team-style aluminium fuel tank comes in a bold red, white and black colour scheme. It weighs 1kg (2.2lb) less than the original tank and boosts the bike's fuel capacity by 2.5 litres (0.66 US gal) to 18 litres (4.75 US gal). The tank is formed in 2mm thick aluminium, brush finished and clear-coated to maintain a factory race tank feel and proudly displays the new Ducati Corse logo on top.
Ducati Quick Shift (1198 and 1198SP ONLY)
Generally used in racing, this device allows the rider to change gears without having to use the clutch while keeping the throttle open, thus minimising shift times and significantly reducing lap times.
The DQS features a micro-switch inserted in the gear shift-rod unit.
When acting on the gear lever during up-shifts the DQS sends a signal to the engine control unit. The latter - following instant analysis of factors such as current gear, engine revs and throttle aperture - cuts both ignition and injection for a time lasting mere thousandths of a second.