2012 Superbike group test
Discussion
3doorPete said:
Fleegle said:
All those stats are irrelevant to the typical Honda rider that rides like a fanny
...and to all the Ducati riders that bang on about torque and have rushed out to buy a Panigale that makes it's power like a weak IL4 thou 
Kind of confirms my suspicion that a good proportion of Duke riders buy the latest Duke because it's the latest Duke, rather than because of torque/v-twin power curve.I'm not saying it's a worse bike than the 1198 as I like IL4 power deliveries. Just saying - that's all.
Reading these graphs and scores, along with VB's opinions on a day spent with an RC8R, I think it needs to go back on my test ride list. It really looks like the pinnacle of V-twin-ness these days.
Comedy bike, just makes me laugh out loud. The exhaust it ok for a standard silencer, but if you want a noisy can prepare yourself for wallet bum raping to the tune of £2.5k. Best try to get one thrown in on a deal
ETA, I didn't bother taking pics of the BMW, guess that speaks for itself.
Edited by VidalBaboon on Tuesday 26th June 08:38
Edited by VidalBaboon on Tuesday 26th June 10:51
VidalBaboon said:
3doorPete said:
Fleegle said:
All those stats are irrelevant to the typical Honda rider that rides like a fanny
...and to all the Ducati riders that bang on about torque and have rushed out to buy a Panigale that makes it's power like a weak IL4 thou Kind of confirms my suspicion that a good proportion of Duke riders buy the latest Duke because it's the latest Duke, rather than because of torque/v-twin power curve.I'm not saying it's a worse bike than the 1198 as I like IL4 power deliveries. Just saying - that's all.
Reading these graphs and scores, along with VB's opinions on a day spent with an RC8R, I think it needs to go back on my test ride list. It really looks like the pinnacle of V-twin-ness these days.
Comedy bike, just makes me laugh out loud. The exhaust it ok for a standard silencer, but if you want a noisy can prepare yourself for wallet bum raping to the tune of £2.5k. Best try to get one thrown in on a deal
ETA, I didn't bother taking pics of the BMW, guess that speaks for itself.
Edited by VidalBaboon on Tuesday 26th June 08:38
i just sold mine last month and the guy that brought it did one sighting lap of Sepang circuit then crashed it at turn 2 , he trying trying so hard to get his knee down but his corner speed was so slow he fell over , smashed all the carbon tail section and seat unit , just glad he had already paid in full
I took a Panigale out 2 weeks ago. I posted a review up shortly after, on 1000rr.uk.
Here it is, and the test from motorcycle comfirms what i thought too:
During visiting Woods in Abergele on Monday to see the Panigale, i got offered a test ride. Unfortunately, i could't take it out on that day, as time was short and had to be back to pick the kids up. So, i scheduled a test ride for today. It would be rude not to. They only had the £20k Panigale S to test ride, with active suspension, quick shifter and all the Ohlins kit. Bummer, but i sucked in air through my teeth and buckled up.
It had pirelli Corsa tyres on, and Dave from Woods put it in sport mode. 192bhp.
There are 3 modes: wet, sport and race. You can change modes on the fly using the indicator cancel button, but i didn't bother. 192bhp with traction control on, via sport mode will do very nicely sir, thank you. After signing a waiver to say i was 3rd party only, and agreeing i was responsible for any damage if i stoved it, i was ready to take the beauty out.
First of all, i personally think it looks stunning.
It's slimmer than the Blade for starters, and feels lighter (prob to do with it being a twin, and the weight low down). A very slightly higher seat height it has too, maybe a cm or 2. I didn't measure but i could tell. The bars felt more wider apart, but angled lower down, and the seat didn't have the same amount of fore and aft roominess, and is far slimmer, and harder. The dash is superb. Very easy to read, and it's colour! I like that .But, the caveat is that the cockpit is bland really, a bit of space around the dash, where the Blade is more compact. Not a bad thing, and horses for courses.
After starting it up, i sat there for a minute warming the engine. It sounds beautiful. Considering it has a wet clutch apparently, it still rattles like a tractor, but it sounds stunning on tick over, And loud...very loud. I can't see this passing noise tests for track days as it's louder than my Yoshi without the baffle, and the Panigale was on its standard system.
After warming it up, i took to the A55 to warm the tyres up, before peeling off for betws y coed. It's about 8 miles of A road (dual carriageway), before i hit the twisties. On the A55, it felt smooth, albeit a bit agricultural. Like a lot of twins i think, especially Ducati.
It wasn't as happy doing 80 in 6th as the Blade is, and stuttered a bit compared to the electric turbine feel of the Blade. Knocking it down to 4th was much better, and as the Panigale revs to 12k, still had plenty to go. It's very deceptive, as 80 feels like 40, much like the litre sport bikes of today, but more so.The screen (standard too) is better, and made a better job of diverting wind over your head and shoulders, although the bar position makes you crouch more, so this probably had an effect too. The rear sets (again standard) are slightly higher up, and a touch further back...not a great deal different, but is noticeable. Then peeling off the A55, i took to the twisties, probably 30 miles or so of nice windy roads. Before the good roads, however, i went through a village. It's 30 mph, and was very busy with traffic. Lorries, cars and buses. This showed the Panigale is definitely nowhere near the Blade as far as slow moving traffic goes. The Blade is happy in 3rd gear at 30, even 4th. The Panigale hates it. It rattles, shakes and the fuelling is all over the gaff in 3rd, and even 2nd. I had to knock it down to 1st to get it to be smooth. (The Blade seems to have, and does have far more torque and drivability at the lower end). Even then, The Panigale bucks and stutters as it purely isn't suited to town riding..even in 1st at 20 mph. Also, it's weightier on the wrists...not uncomfortably so, but again, noticeable. I suppose you would get used it though by using the legs and torso more to keep the weight off. On the upside however, the burble and the sound echoing off the walls and buildings was making me shiver, and i was grinning my tits off. People definitely stared, probably due to the sound of it... It really is sex personified in the aural regions.
After leaving the village, i am greeted by miles of twisties. I overtook all the traffic and filtered to the front of lights, and opened it up. By Christ, it don't half handle, and the qickshifter is superb...seamless and addictive. This thing handles like nothing I've ever ridden. Just point it in, and it goes, and it has so much drive. It feels slower than the blade, as it revs lower for a given speed, but look down and i'm into triple figures.Very deceptive. It's smooth, linear and tractable. The weight difference of the bike is clearly noticeable in the way it darts from one apex to another, and is superb. The engine is more like a triple in its delivery. Not as diesel like as say a RSV (rev wise) and not as revvy as a four... i guess it's like a bigger version of the Triumph 675, engine wise...definitely not like the twins of the RSV Mille or the Suzuki twins.
After pulling up after around 15 miles for a smoke, i took this video, sorry about the quality, it was from my phone:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAmXeXDUaM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjFHHQzmRXI&feature=yo...
I wanted you to see the quality of the build. For £20k, i think its woeful. There are gaps everywhere in the bodywork, and is loose in some parts...and feels cheap. If i got one, i would look into changing some bits for better quality, especially the plastic infills, under the rear tail and the little side panels in front of the rear sets. Also, some of the bolts on show, holding on the rear seat and the front tank are in my eyes, untidy. A nice colour coded cap would be better to disguise them, as even though the bike had only 3k on it, they where discolouring and looked tatty. My year old Blade has 12k on it and still looks brand new. The same can be said of the standard rear sets, they look cheap. The quality of the carbon isn't great either, and is dull in finish, and had a few marks...this will not wear well. I have far better aftermarket carbon on the Blade which is better finished and lacquered again UV, and looks far better finished.
Anyway, after the smoke, i took it back..again hitting the twisty bits. This thing is immense in the way it handles and goes like stink. It doesn't feel any faster than the Blade, and in some ways, especially lower down the Blade pulls harder. But, for a point A to point B bike using twisties as your chosen poison the Panigale has the edge.
The Blade however, is definitely and inequitably the better all round package. It's the better tourer ( i would get pissed off with the fuelling and sputtery ness in traffic of the Panigale at low speeds for long times in the saddle) it's fuels better and is built better.
I may sound i didn't like the Panigale.
That's not true, i absolutely loved it and i want one. Now!
But, i wouldn't have it if i had just the Panigale... i want the Blade too as it is the better bike for the normal roads. The Blade is different as much as the Panigale is, each for different uses. You will laugh your tits off riding the panigale most of the time, especially on the decent twisty roads, and high speeds. With the blade, i do it ALL of the time... that's the difference. Also, the Panigale will never stand up to the harsh weather that we in UK have. I ride all year round, and would never do that on the Duc looking at the quality of the fasteners and rear sets etc...
And £20k is a lot of money for a bike.
But as i said i want one... and hopefully will put an order in next year for the base model, and change a few bits.... if i sell a kidney.
It's bloody fantastic!
Here it is, and the test from motorcycle comfirms what i thought too:
During visiting Woods in Abergele on Monday to see the Panigale, i got offered a test ride. Unfortunately, i could't take it out on that day, as time was short and had to be back to pick the kids up. So, i scheduled a test ride for today.
It would be rude not to. They only had the £20k Panigale S to test ride, with active suspension, quick shifter and all the Ohlins kit. Bummer, but i sucked in air through my teeth and buckled up.It had pirelli Corsa tyres on, and Dave from Woods put it in sport mode. 192bhp.
There are 3 modes: wet, sport and race. You can change modes on the fly using the indicator cancel button, but i didn't bother. 192bhp with traction control on, via sport mode will do very nicely sir, thank you. After signing a waiver to say i was 3rd party only, and agreeing i was responsible for any damage if i stoved it, i was ready to take the beauty out.
First of all, i personally think it looks stunning.
It's slimmer than the Blade for starters, and feels lighter (prob to do with it being a twin, and the weight low down). A very slightly higher seat height it has too, maybe a cm or 2. I didn't measure but i could tell. The bars felt more wider apart, but angled lower down, and the seat didn't have the same amount of fore and aft roominess, and is far slimmer, and harder. The dash is superb. Very easy to read, and it's colour! I like that .But, the caveat is that the cockpit is bland really, a bit of space around the dash, where the Blade is more compact. Not a bad thing, and horses for courses.
After starting it up, i sat there for a minute warming the engine. It sounds beautiful. Considering it has a wet clutch apparently, it still rattles like a tractor, but it sounds stunning on tick over, And loud...very loud. I can't see this passing noise tests for track days as it's louder than my Yoshi without the baffle, and the Panigale was on its standard system.
After warming it up, i took to the A55 to warm the tyres up, before peeling off for betws y coed. It's about 8 miles of A road (dual carriageway), before i hit the twisties. On the A55, it felt smooth, albeit a bit agricultural. Like a lot of twins i think, especially Ducati.
It wasn't as happy doing 80 in 6th as the Blade is, and stuttered a bit compared to the electric turbine feel of the Blade. Knocking it down to 4th was much better, and as the Panigale revs to 12k, still had plenty to go. It's very deceptive, as 80 feels like 40, much like the litre sport bikes of today, but more so.The screen (standard too) is better, and made a better job of diverting wind over your head and shoulders, although the bar position makes you crouch more, so this probably had an effect too. The rear sets (again standard) are slightly higher up, and a touch further back...not a great deal different, but is noticeable. Then peeling off the A55, i took to the twisties, probably 30 miles or so of nice windy roads. Before the good roads, however, i went through a village. It's 30 mph, and was very busy with traffic. Lorries, cars and buses. This showed the Panigale is definitely nowhere near the Blade as far as slow moving traffic goes. The Blade is happy in 3rd gear at 30, even 4th. The Panigale hates it. It rattles, shakes and the fuelling is all over the gaff in 3rd, and even 2nd. I had to knock it down to 1st to get it to be smooth. (The Blade seems to have, and does have far more torque and drivability at the lower end). Even then, The Panigale bucks and stutters as it purely isn't suited to town riding..even in 1st at 20 mph. Also, it's weightier on the wrists...not uncomfortably so, but again, noticeable. I suppose you would get used it though by using the legs and torso more to keep the weight off. On the upside however, the burble and the sound echoing off the walls and buildings was making me shiver, and i was grinning my tits off.
People definitely stared, probably due to the sound of it... It really is sex personified in the aural regions.After leaving the village, i am greeted by miles of twisties. I overtook all the traffic and filtered to the front of lights, and opened it up. By Christ, it don't half handle, and the qickshifter is superb...seamless and addictive. This thing handles like nothing I've ever ridden. Just point it in, and it goes, and it has so much drive. It feels slower than the blade, as it revs lower for a given speed, but look down and i'm into triple figures.Very deceptive. It's smooth, linear and tractable. The weight difference of the bike is clearly noticeable in the way it darts from one apex to another, and is superb. The engine is more like a triple in its delivery. Not as diesel like as say a RSV (rev wise) and not as revvy as a four... i guess it's like a bigger version of the Triumph 675, engine wise...definitely not like the twins of the RSV Mille or the Suzuki twins.
After pulling up after around 15 miles for a smoke, i took this video, sorry about the quality, it was from my phone:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDAmXeXDUaM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjFHHQzmRXI&feature=yo...
I wanted you to see the quality of the build. For £20k, i think its woeful. There are gaps everywhere in the bodywork, and is loose in some parts...and feels cheap. If i got one, i would look into changing some bits for better quality, especially the plastic infills, under the rear tail and the little side panels in front of the rear sets. Also, some of the bolts on show, holding on the rear seat and the front tank are in my eyes, untidy. A nice colour coded cap would be better to disguise them, as even though the bike had only 3k on it, they where discolouring and looked tatty. My year old Blade has 12k on it and still looks brand new. The same can be said of the standard rear sets, they look cheap. The quality of the carbon isn't great either, and is dull in finish, and had a few marks...this will not wear well. I have far better aftermarket carbon on the Blade which is better finished and lacquered again UV, and looks far better finished.
Anyway, after the smoke, i took it back..again hitting the twisty bits. This thing is immense in the way it handles and goes like stink. It doesn't feel any faster than the Blade, and in some ways, especially lower down the Blade pulls harder. But, for a point A to point B bike using twisties as your chosen poison the Panigale has the edge.
The Blade however, is definitely and inequitably the better all round package. It's the better tourer ( i would get pissed off with the fuelling and sputtery ness in traffic of the Panigale at low speeds for long times in the saddle) it's fuels better and is built better.
I may sound i didn't like the Panigale.
That's not true, i absolutely loved it and i want one. Now!
But, i wouldn't have it if i had just the Panigale... i want the Blade too as it is the better bike for the normal roads. The Blade is different as much as the Panigale is, each for different uses. You will laugh your tits off riding the panigale most of the time, especially on the decent twisty roads, and high speeds. With the blade, i do it ALL of the time... that's the difference. Also, the Panigale will never stand up to the harsh weather that we in UK have. I ride all year round, and would never do that on the Duc looking at the quality of the fasteners and rear sets etc...
And £20k is a lot of money for a bike.
But as i said i want one... and hopefully will put an order in next year for the base model, and change a few bits.... if i sell a kidney.
It's bloody fantastic!
Edited by sly(si) on Tuesday 26th June 08:56
MJDM said:
bass gt3 said:
i had an 09 blade prior to mt RSV4 and whilst it didn't excell at any one thing, it was a solid 8.5-9 in every dept. The new one is the same but better, so a solid 9 across the board. So easy to ride but poke it and it goes. very tractable motor, no steps, powerbands etc, very like the crossplane crank R1 in that it's turbine like, just relentless go.
A couple of friends have them now and they are superb machines, and for the money, very hard to beeat i think.
Try one.
And for the record, i am a Ducati fan boy!! Got an 1198 in a 996 that weighs 168 kgs fully fueled and all fluids. Now that really goes!!!!
Pics / vids please, that sounds fA couple of friends have them now and they are superb machines, and for the money, very hard to beeat i think.
Try one.
And for the record, i am a Ducati fan boy!! Got an 1198 in a 996 that weighs 168 kgs fully fueled and all fluids. Now that really goes!!!!
g cool 
There's statistics and then there's damn lies ! 
A few surprising figures there for bhp tho'- the RSV4 seems a bit down & the MV is well up. No surprise about the ZX10 or BMW.
Torques interesting too but at the end of the day as said it's from a U.S. mag.
Fireblade still leaps ahead overall. Just go try any is the only answer. The rest is just willy waving.
A few surprising figures there for bhp tho'- the RSV4 seems a bit down & the MV is well up. No surprise about the ZX10 or BMW.
Torques interesting too but at the end of the day as said it's from a U.S. mag.
Fireblade still leaps ahead overall. Just go try any is the only answer. The rest is just willy waving.
sprinter1050 said:
There's statistics and then there's damn lies !
A few surprising figures there for bhp tho'- the RSV4 seems a bit down & the MV is well up. No surprise about the ZX10 or BMW.
Torques interesting too but at the end of the day as said it's from a U.S. mag.
Fireblade still leaps ahead overall. Just go try any is the only answer. The rest is just willy waving.
My RSV4 made 162 and change on the dyno recently with nothing but the Akra slip on can as a modification. But the motor only really comes alive above 9k, and like the Blade, the bike is a sum of it's parts rather than a one trick pony.A few surprising figures there for bhp tho'- the RSV4 seems a bit down & the MV is well up. No surprise about the ZX10 or BMW.
Torques interesting too but at the end of the day as said it's from a U.S. mag.
Fireblade still leaps ahead overall. Just go try any is the only answer. The rest is just willy waving.
In truth though, whilst i do love the Ape, and it's stunning to ride onthe road, is it R80k (6500 quids) better than the Blade??
Nope, if i'm honest
[quote=sly(si)]
I took a Panigale out 2 weeks ago. I posted a review up shortly after, on 1000rr.uk.
Here it is, and the test from motorcycle comfirms what i thought too:
....
I wanted you to see the quality of the build. For £20k, i think its woeful. There are gaps everywhere in the bodywork, and is loose in some parts...and feels cheap. If i got one, i would look into changing some bits for better quality, especially the plastic infills, under the rear tail and the little side panels in front of the rear sets. Also, some of the bolts on show, holding on the rear seat and the front tank are in my eyes, untidy. A nice colour coded cap would be better to disguise them, as even though the bike had only 3k on it, they where discolouring and looked tatty. My year old Blade has 12k on it and still looks brand new. The same can be said of the standard rear sets, they look cheap. The quality of the carbon isn't great either, and is dull in finish, and had a few marks...this will not wear well. I have far better aftermarket carbon on the Blade which is better finished and lacquered again UV, and looks far better finished.
...
But, i wouldn't have it if i had just the Panigale... i want the Blade too as it is the better bike for the normal roads. The Blade is different as much as the Panigale is, each for different uses. You will laugh your tits off riding the panigale most of the time, especially on the decent twisty roads, and high speeds. With the blade, i do it ALL of the time... that's the difference. Also, the Panigale will never stand up to the harsh weather that we in UK have. I ride all year round, and would never do that on the Duc looking at the quality of the fasteners and rear sets etc...
And £20k is a lot of money for a bike.
But as i said i want one... and hopefully will put an order in next year for the base model, and change a few bits.... if i sell a kidney.
It's bloody fantastic!
[/quote]
Nice review Si
I posted many months ago when first seeing the Pani that I thought the build quality was very poor - certainly not good enough to warrant the thought it costing 20k+, so from an ownership proposition it was already on the back foot.
Is themotorturbine of the Blade too smooth/vibe free? That was my only criticism as I like the bike to feel a little alive... One of the reasons I think the GSXR K5 1000 engine remains the pinnacle of raw, angry, and edgy IL4s...
I took a Panigale out 2 weeks ago. I posted a review up shortly after, on 1000rr.uk.
Here it is, and the test from motorcycle comfirms what i thought too:
....
I wanted you to see the quality of the build. For £20k, i think its woeful. There are gaps everywhere in the bodywork, and is loose in some parts...and feels cheap. If i got one, i would look into changing some bits for better quality, especially the plastic infills, under the rear tail and the little side panels in front of the rear sets. Also, some of the bolts on show, holding on the rear seat and the front tank are in my eyes, untidy. A nice colour coded cap would be better to disguise them, as even though the bike had only 3k on it, they where discolouring and looked tatty. My year old Blade has 12k on it and still looks brand new. The same can be said of the standard rear sets, they look cheap. The quality of the carbon isn't great either, and is dull in finish, and had a few marks...this will not wear well. I have far better aftermarket carbon on the Blade which is better finished and lacquered again UV, and looks far better finished.
...
But, i wouldn't have it if i had just the Panigale... i want the Blade too as it is the better bike for the normal roads. The Blade is different as much as the Panigale is, each for different uses. You will laugh your tits off riding the panigale most of the time, especially on the decent twisty roads, and high speeds. With the blade, i do it ALL of the time... that's the difference. Also, the Panigale will never stand up to the harsh weather that we in UK have. I ride all year round, and would never do that on the Duc looking at the quality of the fasteners and rear sets etc...
And £20k is a lot of money for a bike.
But as i said i want one... and hopefully will put an order in next year for the base model, and change a few bits.... if i sell a kidney.
It's bloody fantastic!
Edited by sly(si) on Tuesday 26th June 08:56
[/quote]
Nice review Si
I posted many months ago when first seeing the Pani that I thought the build quality was very poor - certainly not good enough to warrant the thought it costing 20k+, so from an ownership proposition it was already on the back foot.
Is the
Edited by spareparts on Tuesday 26th June 09:46
Me too Remal. I've got to admit, i was tempted to chop the blade in BEFORE the Panigale test ride, but after the test....no.
The Blade engine is very smooth, yes. But, wind it on to past 8k and it turns into an animal... acceleration is something else... it pulls in any gear from 2k. Very tractable.
I've stuck a yoshi race can and filter with PCV on mine, all open pipe and decat, and it sounds and feels more raw, as well as releasing more ponies.
The Blade engine is very smooth, yes. But, wind it on to past 8k and it turns into an animal... acceleration is something else... it pulls in any gear from 2k. Very tractable.
I've stuck a yoshi race can and filter with PCV on mine, all open pipe and decat, and it sounds and feels more raw, as well as releasing more ponies.
Edited by sly(si) on Tuesday 26th June 10:17
Took a Blade out last summer for a test ride as I thought I fancied a sports bike to replace the Tuono Factory.
Amazing piece of kit. In fact too good. You're just a passenger going at ridiculusly fast speeds everywhere. The Tuono may well be well down on power but there's an awful lot going on when on the gas whereas on the Blade I felt almost as if I was riding the bike on the playstation.
These bikes are also a hobby. When taking a test ride you want to feel areas with potential to improve. The blade had none. Everything was just right so theres no opportunity to get the spanners out and play in the garage without which it's almost an appliance.
Amazing piece of kit. In fact too good. You're just a passenger going at ridiculusly fast speeds everywhere. The Tuono may well be well down on power but there's an awful lot going on when on the gas whereas on the Blade I felt almost as if I was riding the bike on the playstation.
These bikes are also a hobby. When taking a test ride you want to feel areas with potential to improve. The blade had none. Everything was just right so theres no opportunity to get the spanners out and play in the garage without which it's almost an appliance.
Nice review, not surprised at the Panigale, overtook an 'S' model at the isle of man with relative ease on the power and he was well quick knee down every corner, just didn't have the power up hailwood rise - thought he might have been running it in or something.
I think USA model fireblades need a Z-bomb to bypass emission regulations and release another 10bhp to match European bikes power, great all-rounder though - get an ABS model and stick a quick-shifter and Bazzaz 'on-the-fly' adjustable traction control on there and it's hard to beat, maybe the S1000RR had the edge in outright straightline power but the blade has more midrange oomph out of corners which makes it arguably quicker on backroads.
I think USA model fireblades need a Z-bomb to bypass emission regulations and release another 10bhp to match European bikes power, great all-rounder though - get an ABS model and stick a quick-shifter and Bazzaz 'on-the-fly' adjustable traction control on there and it's hard to beat, maybe the S1000RR had the edge in outright straightline power but the blade has more midrange oomph out of corners which makes it arguably quicker on backroads.
As a Panigale 'S' owner, I would confirm it is not without its flaws (although certain matters on the graphs shown do seem wrong), however ever time I go to the garage/workshop where is resides when not in use, it is easy to see I made the correct choice.
Don't care other have more BHP or torque to be honesty, I simply wanted something that when I 'occasionally' get the chance to go out on, brigs a massive grin to my face & made the whole thing an 'event'.
I'm sure all the bikes in the test above are so good that 99.99% of people will never get near thier limits, so in my opinion it simply came down to personal preference, which as with many things is initally led by looks. That straight away rules the Kawasaki, KTM & BMW. The Yamaha is an 'older' model was ruled out on that basis, ditto the Suzuki. That leaves the MV, Aprilia, Honda & Ducati. The Honda is not an 'event' bike IMO (if I'd have done more miles a year then this would have probably been the chosen one). The Aprilia was ruled out simply as I believe the exhaust makes it 'ugly' (stunning bike, but exhaust looks wrong to me). So it cames down to MV or Ducati & for me its the Ducati.
Don't care other have more BHP or torque to be honesty, I simply wanted something that when I 'occasionally' get the chance to go out on, brigs a massive grin to my face & made the whole thing an 'event'.
I'm sure all the bikes in the test above are so good that 99.99% of people will never get near thier limits, so in my opinion it simply came down to personal preference, which as with many things is initally led by looks. That straight away rules the Kawasaki, KTM & BMW. The Yamaha is an 'older' model was ruled out on that basis, ditto the Suzuki. That leaves the MV, Aprilia, Honda & Ducati. The Honda is not an 'event' bike IMO (if I'd have done more miles a year then this would have probably been the chosen one). The Aprilia was ruled out simply as I believe the exhaust makes it 'ugly' (stunning bike, but exhaust looks wrong to me). So it cames down to MV or Ducati & for me its the Ducati.
Hobo said:
Don't care other have more BHP or torque to be honesty, I simply wanted something that when I 'occasionally' get the chance to go out on, brigs a massive grin to my face & made the whole thing an 'event'.
That's what's it's all about! especially when you're left for dead by something that's 8k cheaper
Other than that MV Augusta and the Ducati, all of those bikes look to have smooth (more than ample)torque curves. The BMW obviously takes it that bit further.
As engineering projects they are very impressive, but as road bikes? I really can't get excited about something that is so capable of so much more than I (and the vast, vast majority of other riders) am and the risks I'm prepared to take and speeds I'm prepared to achieve on the UK roads.
When it come doown to it, a lot of self-restraint is required even on a 600.
ps. The KTM appeals to me most.
As engineering projects they are very impressive, but as road bikes? I really can't get excited about something that is so capable of so much more than I (and the vast, vast majority of other riders) am and the risks I'm prepared to take and speeds I'm prepared to achieve on the UK roads.
When it come doown to it, a lot of self-restraint is required even on a 600.
ps. The KTM appeals to me most.
Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 27th June 10:11
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