Faster and Faster: Tiff of the Twins : KTM RC8 vs Ducati 1098 vs Buell 1125R

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Tiff of the Twins : KTM RC8 vs Ducati 1098 vs Buell 1125R

Buell 1125R vs KTM RC8 vs Ducati 1098!
Pics: Moto Revue / Jacques Clipet

Moto Revue recently pitted three twin-cylinder sportsbikes – KTM RC8 1190, Ducati 1098 and Buell 1125R – against each other, and while you’ll have to buy the mag for the full story, here are a few quick impressions.

The Ducati 1098, with its hard saddle, stiff suspension and very racer-centric ergonomics, is the least comfortable of the three bikes here. The RC8, with its adjustable ergos, and the 1125R, with its softer suspension, are more suited for longer journeys.

The KTM runs it close, but we think the 1098 still looks the best...

The RC8 steers very precisely, while the 1098, more physical to ride, feels more rigid and stable. Compared to the other two, the Buell feels less confidence-inspiring in the curves. The 1125R also displays inconsistent fit and finish, and build quality is poor for some parts.

Of course, the Buell is also the cheapest of the three bikes here, retailing at 12,695 euros, while the KTM is available for 16,250 euros and the Ducati for 17,350 euros.