Ducati 998
Encyclopedia
The Ducati 998, a successor to the Ducati 996
and the final variation on the Ducati 916
, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft
up. Testastretta means narrow head and refers to a complete redesign of the cylinder head
s. The desmodromic valve actuation method was retained.
The 996 had a bore and stroke of 98 millimetre. The bore and stoke of the 998 was more oversquare at 100 millimetre. The included valve angle was reduced from 40 degrees on the 996 to 25 degrees on the 998. Valve sizes were increased, and the camshafts had slightly increased lift, but with shorter duration. Horsepower increased from 112 to 123.
The 998R and non US 998S models had different crankcases with a deep oil sump. The standard 998 had crankcases which were very similar to the previous Desmoquattro. The non US 998S as well as the 998R had revised cam profiles which provided more power than the standard 998. The 998R model used a 104 millimetre mm bore and stroke which actually displaced 999 cc, and was very similar to the engine used in the subsequent 999R model.
In 2001, Ducati introduced the 996R (see Ducati 996
) with the 998 cc Testastretta engine. This bike was the true introduction of the Testastretta engine and the 998 model. The engine was similar to the 2002 non US 998S. Only 500 were sold which was all that were needed to homologate the bike to race in the World Superbike Championship. This bike won the World Superbike Championship in 2001 with rider Troy Bayliss
.
A 2001 Ducati 996
, in dark green, was featured in the 2003 movie The Matrix Reloaded
. Ducati subsequently announced a limited edition of similar bikes for model year 2004 in a very dark green color, but as production of the 996 had since ceased, these were actually 998-series bikes.
The 998 officially ended production in 2004 with the release of the 998s FE ("Final Edition"). This bike was only available by special order, it was not available as a regular production model. They were available in Biposto and Monoposto versions. It was largely similar to the US model 2002 998S (using the standard 998 engine but with uprated Ohlins suspension components and Brembo
four-piston calipers).
998S Ben Bostrom and Troy Bayliss replicas (USA Version): 2002
998S non US model: 2002
998R: 2002
998 MATRIX: 2004
998 FE (Final Edition): 2004
Ducati 996
The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
and the final variation on the Ducati 916
Ducati 916
The Ducati 916 is an Italian sports motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1994 to 1998. In contrast to Japanese inline four-cylinder competitors of the time, its V-twin engine produced less outright power, but a more even torque spread...
, was produced in various models from 2002 to 2004. The new Testastretta engine shared many similarities with the previous Desmoquattro engine in the 996, although it was completely new from the crankshaft
Crankshaft
The crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
up. Testastretta means narrow head and refers to a complete redesign of the cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
s. The desmodromic valve actuation method was retained.
The 996 had a bore and stroke of 98 millimetre. The bore and stoke of the 998 was more oversquare at 100 millimetre. The included valve angle was reduced from 40 degrees on the 996 to 25 degrees on the 998. Valve sizes were increased, and the camshafts had slightly increased lift, but with shorter duration. Horsepower increased from 112 to 123.
The 998R and non US 998S models had different crankcases with a deep oil sump. The standard 998 had crankcases which were very similar to the previous Desmoquattro. The non US 998S as well as the 998R had revised cam profiles which provided more power than the standard 998. The 998R model used a 104 millimetre mm bore and stroke which actually displaced 999 cc, and was very similar to the engine used in the subsequent 999R model.
In 2001, Ducati introduced the 996R (see Ducati 996
Ducati 996
The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
) with the 998 cc Testastretta engine. This bike was the true introduction of the Testastretta engine and the 998 model. The engine was similar to the 2002 non US 998S. Only 500 were sold which was all that were needed to homologate the bike to race in the World Superbike Championship. This bike won the World Superbike Championship in 2001 with rider Troy Bayliss
Troy Bayliss
Troy Bayliss is a retired Australian motorcycle racer. During his career Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times, as well as the British Superbike Championship and a MotoGP race, all with Ducati. He finished his career after winning the 2008 World Superbike title...
.
A 2001 Ducati 996
Ducati 996
The Ducati 996 is an Italian street motorcycle manufactured by Ducati from 1999 to 2002. It was based upon the earlier 916.-Model history:...
, in dark green, was featured in the 2003 movie The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 American science fiction film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowskis. It premiered on May 7, 2003, in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, and went on general release by Warner Bros. in North American theaters on May 15,...
. Ducati subsequently announced a limited edition of similar bikes for model year 2004 in a very dark green color, but as production of the 996 had since ceased, these were actually 998-series bikes.
The 998 officially ended production in 2004 with the release of the 998s FE ("Final Edition"). This bike was only available by special order, it was not available as a regular production model. They were available in Biposto and Monoposto versions. It was largely similar to the US model 2002 998S (using the standard 998 engine but with uprated Ohlins suspension components and Brembo
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...
four-piston calipers).
Ducati 998 models
998 Strada (Biposto and Monoposto): 2002-2003998S Ben Bostrom and Troy Bayliss replicas (USA Version): 2002
998S non US model: 2002
998R: 2002
998 MATRIX: 2004
998 FE (Final Edition): 2004