SuperBike Magazine

Ducati has been absent from the SuperBike fleet for more years than we care to remember, so it's a very welcome hello to the 1198. Simon has the pleasure of its company this year – or will it be a year worth of pain. There's only one way to find out… FIGHT!

July 14th
The bike has returned from Ducati Coventry, fit and ready for action. The speed sensor has been changed and the whole bike has been given a coat of looking at. I've bloody missed it, too. After changing the suspension settings and ride height at Cadwell Park, I've found that they also suit my own personal playground - the last 15 miles of my journey home. It's a cracking route which tests a bike to its limits and the Ducati really responds to my inputs now that there's more focus on the front.

July 6th
A box of bits from a company called Oberon hits my desk. Looks good, too. A nice open clutch cover is a must for any Ducati and some mirror extenders look to be just the job. Check out their extensive range at www.oberon-performance.co.uk

July 5th
The bike is still at P&H and not much has been done as there's been a bit of confusion between me, P&H and Ducati. The bike seems to be running, so it's a classic case of the occassionl fault – the best kind of fault. Will from P&H phoned to say that there may be some water intrusion into some areas (not surprising given the storm I rode through on the way up to Cadwell Park) but I've never had that from any other machine. The jury is still out, but at least the exhausts that have been on order for the bike have arrived. Mmm, Termignonis, as Homer Simpson would say if he had an 1198.

June 24th
After spending some great days on the bike and with my holiday booked for the next day the Ducati fails me. I ride into work, full of excitement about going away and I notice the warning light on. Thanks to the excellent diagnostic system on the bike, it tells me that it's a speed sensor fault. The bike still runs and I give it no more thought, but after I fill up for fuel it refuses to start. Arse. How am I going to get home and go on holiday? P&H Motorcycles in Crawley pick the bike up as I head to the ferry on my Plan B.

June 16th
It's the Ducati Sporting Club's (www.ducatisportingclub.com) annual extravaganza, so that means riding up to Cadwell park for a day of action on track. It's a top day, too. Even though it belted down on the way up, the day itself was dry and sunny, so that meant some decent sessions and some progression on the bike. Suspension is always a preference thing and it changes from track to track, but one thing that completely transforms the bike is added rear ride height. Through the excellent adjuster, this is easy to administer and the bike is something else after the change. A top day with some top people.

June 15th
I finally change the bike's original Pirelli Supercorsa tyres (www.pirelli.co.uk/web/motorcycle/default.page). They've done 3,500 miles and they've still got a little road life left in them, even if you wouldn't want to do another trackday on them. Very impressive as the bike has done a lot of miles and a trackday. I have a choice when replacing them, some Pirelli Supercorsa BSBs or a set of Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs (www.michelin.co.uk). I go for the former as I've got a trackday the next day. £60 to have them fitted though at Universal Tyres in Croydon (www.universal-tyres.co.uk). I'll be getting them on loose wheels next time…

May 15th
I finally get to the local locksmiths to get a key cut to go into the Acumen fob. Once cut, all I have to do is rip the original key apart to get at the little immobilser chip to put in the fob. Everything is pretty straightforward but I soon find that the new key is a little too long and won't talk to the bike's immobilser. Well, it will, but not all the time. So some days it starts first time and others it takes two minutes of turning the key again and again to get it going.

6th May
I must change the tyres. I ride down to Acumen (a nice route from Newbury to Andover) to get their Cat 1.1 alarm fitted (www.acumen-electronics.co.uk). An easy job (all I had to do was watch someone else do it) and the alarm seems great. Instinctive and easy to use, the alarm gives peace of mind in this crappy world we live in.

April 29th
The bike formed part of a test, meaning I got to spend a good chunk of time on it on track. The motor is sensational. It's so eager and full of life that it can easily cause problems for the rest of the bike. As standard the front forks are so soft that they bottom out under hard braking. There's work to be done here.

April 9th
I get a bit of track time in on the 1198 – and I don't have to risk my bike on track. Metzeler are holding a launch of their new Interact track tyre (http://www.superbike.co.uk/products/tyres/metzeler_racetec_interact_tyre_launch_news_280542.html) and they've got an 1198 shod with them on so I make a quick exit to bags the bike. It's pretty good, too. Or is that the tyres? Time will tell. But the ride to and from Brands Hatch was a piece of cake on the Ducati. It's pretty comfortable and but for the small fuel tank seems to make a great day-to-day bike.

April
Picked the bike up, with more than a little trepidation. After all, this is a honed sports machine and I've got a lot of commuting to do. Will the £13,000 bike be up to the job? Who cares, it's one of the best looking bikes ever made! www.ducati.co.uk