Ducati North America was alerted of this thread, and they passed along this message to Mr. Urraco. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Agreed, the best upgrade for performance is software (between the ears) not hardware. An experienced rider on a 90's sportbike would be faster and safer than a novice rider on a new bike. Putting new tires and adjusting the suspension if needed on old bikes for these tires can make an amazing difference in their handling. Many years ago Motorcyclist compared then-modern sportbikes with their equivalent from ten years earlier. 1993 CBR900RR vs. 1984 Ninja 900 1992 Ducati 900SS vs. 1976 900SS 1992 CBR600F2 vs. 1982 GPz550 Engines were of course stronger, brakes better, handling sharper. But in each case the editors commented that they would be faster now on the old bike vs. being a younger rider on the new bike. Which bike did the editors like the best of the group? The old 900SS. It has been several years since I've read the article, but I beleive the quote was something like "when the new bikes have been eclipsed by tomorrow's technology, the old Duck will still be aging gracefully." It has been something like 11 years since this article, maybe it is time for a new one? 2004 CBR1000RR vs. 1993 CBR900RR 2004 Ducati 999 vs. 1994 Ducati 916 2004 GSXR600 vs. 1995 CBR600 F3
it's been more than one year since I started this thread... instead of downgrading my 900 to 600, I decided to keep the Fireblade and add the 600 to my stable. Now I have the best of both worlds:instant acceleration and big fat torque with the 900, while nimble handling and beauty with my 600 Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not anymore, I guess you've been out of the loop the last coulple of years in terms of Honda dominating Moto GP BTW, Ducati, period.
MV F4 Senna, need i say more? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
ha!!...that should be familiar territory for an F-car owner seriously, i don't think you can go wrong with any of the 600cc jap bikes, my personal favorite being the R6............not to mention how cheap they are, i wouldn't feel too bad if my R6 met a wall of tires at the track..........i'd just get another.........but if my Ducati, Aprilla, or MV hit a wall, i'd first cry my eyes out, go into a deep depression, my friends and everyone on Fchat would hate me for destroying a work of art........
Since when Aprilia is a decent respectable bike? You guys can say what you want about calling italians bikes; superior or masterpieces of art. but IMHO Italian bikemakers just enjoy the inertia and hype created by the great italian sports cars. for instance: a Ducati 749 S is no match for a Honda CBR600 RR (according to most european bike magazines) even with the advantage of 150cc more the Ducati is one step behind. and the list goes on & on. European bikes are always struggling to get in the league of Japanese bikes but they always miss. Now go ahead and flame me. but it's the sad truth. a big expensive fancy badge isn't everything.