At the time of its release, these figures gave the 1098 the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any production sport bike ever made.

In an attempt to level the playing field, WSBK regulations provide for concessions to motorcycles depending on the number of cylinders in their engine design.

The 2007 WSBK rules limited V-twin engines to 1000 cc, so Ducati effectively did not have a guarantee that the 1098 was eligible for entry in the premier class.

It featured a number of high performance items; more aggressive camshafts, high compression pistons, a larger capacity fuel tank that extended under the seat, steering damper remounted ahead of the larger Fuel tank, a large capacity and pressurized radiator, a servo motor in the injection system, a longer and more stiff swingarm, a flat rocker arm for the rear suspension that allowed for utilization of the full range of travel, adjustable triple clamps for variations in rake and trail, a massively upgraded electronics package for throttle response, power delivery, traction and wheelie control, weather settings and other high performance upgrades.

Key changes include an upgrade into a 180 hp 90° L-twin "Testastretta Evoluzione" engine, and the inclusion of the Ducati Traction Control for better handling.

The more common version of the bike is called "1098-09 R", which comes with the traditional Ducati red fairing, black chassis, and white sub-frame.

It also allowed for Ducati to sell a few models of the 1098 in a colour scheme very similar to the one that Bayliss' bike used during his successful races in the 2008 Grand Prix, as well as his number "21" on the side.

The 1198 has more power and torque, redesigned wheels, fairing, speedometer, headlights, the addition of traction control and a few other minor changes.