gixxerguate (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

To put this argument at rest they should race Ducatis in their own category. Even Ducati realized that a second set of cylinders were needed to compete against the top dogs of MotoGP; creating a masterpiece of a bike, the Desmosedici V4.2<4; do the math.The power and looks of a V-twin are unique and exotic, yet no match for a Jap-bike.However, if I had the money, I would own a 1098 and a Gix K9 or ZX10R; one for cruising/showing off, the other for raw unadulterated power.

gixxerguate (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ducs success on the track is partially due to a generous displacement advantage. For the few recent years that WSBK allowed same displacement on the track, Ducs fell behind to the likes of GSXR1000/Corser in '05 & CBR1000/Toseland in '07. Ducati cried wolf and got once again a 98cc advantage.Out of the box the GSXR1000 is the favorite priveteer bike; and one of the fastest pound per pound and dollar per dollar.

SpeedingStudent (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Um, no. Remember, the VFR engine dates from the early 1980s, not exactly cutting-edge stuff. A nice engine, but very old in the sportbike world...and ancient in race circles.I agree with everything you say in this post. No arguments here.I think a better series would be this: 500cc/320 lbs. limit...no other limis. Two-strokes, v-twins, inline fours, v-fours, parallel twins, etc. It would leave more room for innovation, and with less power, more talent would be needed to win. Awesomeness.

benjyboba (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I thought honda would have been much better from the start due to the fact they have already built and experimented with the vfr 800. Im sure lowering the cc gave ducati the power advantage with desmo's. I have heard talk about rossi and stoner wanting the return of the 990's. I think we would get much closer racing again if they did. I believe ducati's reliability in the past was due to companies where they got their components from. I would say the honda are more road orientated in general.

SpeedingStudent (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Competition breeds success, and from day one, that is what Honda has been about.Now MotoGP: They have changed the formula to 800ccs, so it is up in the air for Honda, but rest assured: Honda will rise to the top, as always.Honda started from nothing, just like your beloved Ducati. The difference lies in the wuality of the products they put out. Ducatis, like Chryslers, are not envied for their high quality and reliability.Honda...on the other hand...

benjyboba (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Honda is the company with the most money to spend. Id say ducati's best sucess is in world superbikes. Even when colin edwards won, they still said the ducati was the better machine. In Moto gp lately honda isnt doing so well. Rossi on yamaha and stoner on ducati seem to be at the front. The bikes no matter how good need brilliant riders and vica verca. I think its the desmodromics which cause the ducati to be so dam fast in motogp. Honda got most of there money by selling c90's.

SpeedingStudent (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Um, dude...a rotary is not a "twin"...even if it has two rotors, comparing a rotary to a recipricating engine is silly.Apples and oranges.Oh yeah, I love rotaries though.

benjyboba (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Im not saying a twin makes more power than a four for its cc but I know a twin that will beat a four on the straight and thats a norton rotary. 588cc and it is mega fast due to its wankel(rotary engine). I remember a time when it used to race until it got banned and it used to win and blow away the japanese fours with its smaller engine.

benjyboba (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I wouldnt say the fours are the fastest on track. I know they faster but some of there speed is due to the rules. If you removed the restrictors off the current wsb 1098 then it would leave the fours behind on the straghts. Really its about making things even. Also the weight penalties were added to the 1098. The 998 has lapped faster than the motogp bikes at donnington in the past. If a twin can make enough power under the rules then its friendier better power delivery and handling can win

SpeedingStudent (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I will agree with this to a point: sure, any monkey can go fast in a straight line(squids) on a GSXR, but on the track, the fours own them all (both riders having the same skill level).Even Ducati uses a V4 now in MotoGP...that should tell you who taught who a little something on the track...