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Remembering The 2002 Ducati 998

2002 Ducati 998

The Ducati 998 is a sports bike manufactured by the iconic brand Ducati between 2002 and 2004. It was the successor to the Ducati 996 model and the final offering of the Ducati 916 series. The 2002 Ducati 998 comes fitted with a powerful Testastretta engine that shares many similarities with the Ducati 996 Desmoquattro engine.

However, various modifications have been made to the Ducati 998, such as a complete redesign of the engine from the crankshaft up to narrow cylinder heads. The valve angle in the 998 was reduced from 40 degrees on the Ducati 996 to 25 degrees.

The previous 996 model has a bore and stroke of 3.86 in x 2.50 in (98.0 mm x 66.0mm), but the 998 is more over-square with a bore and stroke of 3.94 in x 2.50 in (100.0 mm x 63.5 mm). The impressive valve actuation method of the 996 Desmoquattro engine was retained. The Ducati 998 comes with the most upgraded features of the Ducati 916 series and is arguably the top of its class. Here, we will take a closer look at the 2002 Ducati 998.

Overview

The Ducati 998 is the last model in the 916 series of motorbikes that have been considered a favorite among motorcycle fans all across the globe. The Ducati 998 was released after the 996 models, and in both of these amazing offerings, Massimo Tambuirini's elegant design is seen.

Massimo is the Chief Designer of Ducati and has played a significant role in the aesthetic beauty and exemplary performance of the Ducati 916 series. The 998 ushered in a new era for Ducati engineering and served as a bridge between the brand's previous and present models.

In 2002, Ducati released the Ducati 998, a revised model of the 996 with an all-new Testastretta engine with a 998cc engine capacity. Since the legendary Ducati 996 was its predecessor, the 998 has a lot to offer and entails advanced features.

Specs

According to Motorcyclespecs, the 998 is very fast with abundant power and torque, all delivered in a relatively calm manner, ensuring you have an exceptional ride experience. The bike comes with standard components such as the Ohlins race suspension package, Marchesini wheels, and Showa Forks with the TiN coating.

The Ducati 998 handling is impeccable and will allow you to turn around any twisty road, race track, corner, or behind with ease and confidence. In addition to the 998 stunning visual appearances, it has an immersive riding experience that guarantees satisfactory comfort and road performance.

Compared to its preceding models, the 2002 Ducati 998 is very reliable and only requires simple repairs and maintenance. The gearbox is precise and smooth for quick acceleration, and the clutch is accurate and light to allow for better handling even at maximum speeds. The 2002 Ducati 998 has a top speed of 165 mph and an acceleration time from 0-60 mph within 3.1 seconds. The manufacturing brand-

Ducati ended production of the 998 models in 2004 with the launch of the 988s FE. The 998s Final Edition was only available by particular order, unlike the other regular production models. This bike was presented in Monoposto and Biposto (two or seats) versions. The 998s model came with a higher tuned engine that delivered up to 136 horsepower and 105 Nm of torque. This impressive engine performance was attributed to the different crankcases with deep oil sump and revised cam profiles.

Engine, Power, and Transmission

The 2002 Ducati 998 comes powered with an L-Twin DOHC, four-valve per cylinder liquid-cooled, 998cc Testastretta engine. This was the first time a Testastretta engine was used in any Ducati model. It was much bigger than the 996 engine and delivered impressive horsepower and torque.

The Ducati 998 engine featured the same desmodromic valve system as the previous Ducati 996 model. This new Testastretta engine entails narrow cylinder heads, more aggressive cams, lighter pistons, larger throttle bodies, and titanium connecting rods. The 2002 Ducati 998 also had a more over-square bore x stroke compared to its predecessor, with a shorter stroke and wide bore measuring 100.0 mm x 63.5 mm.

The valve angle has also been reduced to 25 degrees, and the exhaust and intake valve sizes increased. There is a significant increase in torque and power from 112 hp to 123 hp. The increased torque makes riding the bike easier and more efficient in all gears. Compared to the previous engines, this new engine capacity is more refined and has a smooth power delivery. Only 500 models of the 998cc Testastretta engine were sold and played a significant role in the bike winning the World Superbike Championship in 2001 and the Macau Grand Prix in 2002 and 2003.

Brakes, Suspension, and Chassis

Suspension duties on the Ducati 998 are handled by a pair of Showa upside-down front forks, which are treated with a Titanium Nitride coating that ensures the fork tubes do not stick to the sliders even under heavy pressure. The rear end is taken care of by an Ohlins monoshock that makes the bike's bodywork appear somewhat sleeker.

When it comes to the stopping power, the 998 is fitted with thinner front brake Brembo discs that help lower the weight hanging on the front wheel and thus making handling easier. Both front and rear Brembo brakes provide consistent and reliable braking time.

Final Thoughts

According to Timeless2wheels, like its preceding models, such as the 996 model, the 2002 Ducati 998 is a perfectly friendly, usable motorcycle for the road. The Ducati 998 would forever be considered a collectors motorcycle due to its impressive specs and visually appealing bodywork. The riding experience of the 998 is like no other. It provides you with an exceptional ride experience thanks to its smooth power delivery and better handling.

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Benjamin Smith

Written by Benjamin Smith

Benjamin Smith is one of the managing editors of Moneyinc. Ben's been focusing on the auto and motorcycle sector since 2005. He's written over 1000 articles in the space and continues to learn about it each day. His favorite car is "any Bugatti" and he's a die hard Harley Davidson fan.

Read more posts by Benjamin Smith

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