Ford GT-40's circa 1970 and this year's Porsche 991 RSR's wear the Gulf powder blue and orange to the race on the longest Saturday of the year. This '07 Ducati 1098 also has classic Gulf livery, a commemorative of the 2008 Ducati Endurance Racing Team.
2007 Ducati 1098 for sale on eBay
Not quite the 1098R prepared for the 24 Hours Moto, even a plain vanilla 1098 is a willing ride. The Testastretta EVO engine throws 160 hp at the issue, along with 90 ft.-lbs. of torque. Styling revisions returned the bike to a now-classic Ducati look, along with single-sided swingarm and separate dual exhaust. Showa provides the fully adjustable forks and monoshock, and Brembo makes the radially mounted monoblock brakes. The track-oriented LCD dash has multiple logging functions.
Built as a show ( not race ) bike and with 9,000 careful miles, this 1098 also has a Werks exhaust, open clutch cover and matching orange levers. Though it's missing a few lightweight goodies, the base model was only two thirds the cost of an S. From the eBay auction:
This your chance to own a very rare Ducati 1098. The design is based off the 1098R Gulf Racing Team Endurance bike. It was built for show-purposes only. This will be a head turner anywhere you take it. Includes WerksUSA exhaust system and other misc upgrades as pictured. This has been a locally owned Utah bike with a clean record and history. It was just recently serviced with new belts, recommended per the Ducati owner manual for under 9k miles.
The two French Ducati dealers who arranged Gulf sponsorship for DERT ran three major endurance races before folding the tent. Gulf continues to sponsor a wide variety of racing, lately a motorcycle drag team. The 24 Hours Moto is held in April without much fanfare, but you'll actually be able to watch most of today's auto race on cable. Looking fine in the Gulf colors, the 1098 reviewed widely as too much bike for the road. But as they say about winning the PowerBall ruining people's lives, it'd be nice to give it a try...
-donn
