England’s Motorcycle News, owned by EMAP, has blown wide open a worldwide embargo and coordinated release of Ducati’s new 1098 model. Ducati had coordinated with news outlets around the globe to introduce the new bike on November 14th, but stolen studio photos surfaced on the Internet and led EMAP to publish photos and information on the bike. That led to Ducati moving up the press intro a week and to the early launching of the bike on the official Ducati website. A worldwide press intro scheduled for the end of this month in South Africa was meant to follow release of photos and specs on the 14th. The new bike comes in three specification levels, including the standard for $14,995, the 1098S for $19,995 and the 1098S Tri Color for $24,995. All three models make 160 horsepower; the standard and 1098S weigh 381 pounds and the Tri Color weighs 377 pounds. Ohlins suspension and lighter wheels and other parts set apart the Tri Color model. All three should be available in the U.S. this coming February. The first U.S. public appearance of the bikes will be at the IMS motorcycle show scheduled for December 1-3 in Seattle, Washington. More from a press release issued by Ducati North America: DUCATI ANNOUNCES NEW 2007 DUCATI 1098 SUPERBIKE FAMILY Cupertino, CA – Ducati North America announces the international launch and North American pricing for the new 1098 Superbike. This incredible new machine produces 160hp and 90.4lbs/ft of torque, which results in making the 1098 the most powerful twin-cylinder motorcycle in the world, with the highest torque-to-weight ratio of any sport bike. In addition, the 1098 is also the lightest open class Superbike available, weighing 381 pounds. The priority in every step of the 1098 development has been performance first. Every system, every detail and every component has been studied and pared down to its essence in order to increase performance to the maximum. If it didn’t make the 1098 lighter, faster or deliver quicker lap times, it wasn’t considered. The 1098 will be available in three versions starting in February. The 1098 Biposto will carry a manufacturers suggested retail price of $14,995. The 1098 S will be priced at $19,995, while the limited edition 1098 S Tri-Colore will be $24,995. The 1098 S Tri-Colore will feature a evocative red, white and green racing livery and a Termignoni performance exhaust system, among other performance enhancements. Prices in Canada will be $19,995 for standard version, while the 1098 S will be $24,995 and the Tri-Colore will be $29,995. “We are very pleased to announce not only a radical new Superbike family, but also a brand new competitive pricing structure. We have worked very long and hard to make this happen, and we are excited to introduce this motorcycle to the American public at the Seattle round of the International Motorcycle Shows, which happens December 1-3,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. For further detailed technical information and images, please visit www.ducatiusa.com.