DUCATI 998 (2002-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Ducati 998 was a sports machine manufactured by Ducati for only three years, from 2002 to 2004. The bike came as the successor to the Ducati 996 and a final variation of the Ducati 916 model.

The bike had a Testastretta engine that featured many similarities with the previously used Desmoquatro engine of the 996 models, despite the Testastretta unit being completely new from the crankshaft up.

The 998 model was officially dropped from production in 2004 when they released the Ducati 998S FE (Final Edition), which was unavailable as a production machine, but as a special order.

In 2002, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ducati 998, a sports motorcycle with standard features like a full fairing, a small windscreen, dual headlights, a single seat, an under-seat-mounted exhaust system, and five-spoke lightweight wheels.

The bike's suspension comprised a 43 mm fully adjustable USD TiN-coated Ohlins fork on the front and a fully adjustable Ohlins shock absorber on the rear, providing excellent suspension performance and handling.

In the power department, the 2002 Ducati 998 had its muscles from a 998cc four-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin engine fed by an electronically-controlled fuel injection system, boasting 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 98 Nm (72 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

All the engine power was sent to a six-speed manual transmission with a hydraulically-controlled dry multi-plate clutch and a final chain drive, pushing the machine to 265 kph (165 mph).