The Panigale is restricted in WSBK by the rules. I have no idea if it would run away with it if it wasn't but i see Canepa said this weekend that the rules work against it. Having your main rider in pain and unable to ride doesn't help either.
well you cant. it either walks away with it and wins "only because it has special rules /larger engine" or it loses because the rules are against it... just stick two twins together lol.... ...V4
some people say that the only way is a v twin. I disagree and open minded aka aprillia look at bmw cars(sorry sorry sorry I said CAR on a bike forum lol....shoot me now) I used to have an M3 they were always straight sixxes they broke tradition and stuck a massive V in there... everyone agrees the break from tradition is quite exquisite. . sometimes change is not always a bad thing...sometimes change is a good thing
I like the L twin. It makes oodles of torque and power where you want it. Having had a brief blast on an Aprilia RSV4, my 999 is torquier in the twisty stuff. The Aprilia has more top end, but what use is that on the road? Answer: none. I'd be perfectly happy if a new Ducati sportsbike used the Diavel motor. Tyre shredding stomp low down, and zings off into the distance quite fast enough when required. Ultimate horsepower figures are a waste of time on the road. You want a big fat power curve where you are likely to need it. Over 150 mph, it all becomes completely academic.
my i4 k5 1k made the same low down power as my 999 so the grunt issue can be done I suppose it depends on the roads you ride on and skill levels. mines geared for 160 and thats plenty at the moment.
But the survey is asking about race bikes. If it's purely a road bike, there's already plenty in the range; Diavel Multi Monster Hyper Streetfighter
They already have a good sportsbike as well. It's not much point asking us customers what we want if they can't race it or its not competitive. What we want and what wins WSBk races are probably very different things to most people.
I want a bike that WILL win races. Most of the people I know do too. If you want an ideal road bike, don't ever buy a race bred bike, you will be disappointed.
Isn't that the point of buying the latest sport bike, your looking to own the road going version of the race bike! impressive as the s1000r BMW is, I don't pay too much attention to it, the interest was sparked back into aprilia because of the rsvr's success and I'd imagine sales will rocket of the zx10r should Sykes continue what he's doing! I can't honestly see how the trellis frame has had it's day? I'd probably look at losing the single sided swing arm? Always puzzles me why ducati persist with this concept! Besides you never see it moto gp which is supposedly the pinnacle of bike development?
Is race success really that important to Ducati these days? The Panigale is selling well despite it's lacklustre performance on the world stage, the 848 is their best-selling sportsbike despite not being eligible for any racing class, and the Diavel and Mutley prove there is a market for Ducati outside the sporting arena. I think they would do well to build a smaller bike to fit in the A2 license category. Catch the punters early...
I find it hard to believe anyone buys a bike simply because one that looks like it ( but is completely different otherwise) wins WSBk races. It might improve the company and bike image but I suspect the 'wins on Sunday and sells on Monday' concept is not very relevant anymore.
Totally agree with you Fig regarding the A2 license. However, race win on Sunday means sales on Monday, that always been the case for Ducati. The Panigale is showing great success so far in World superstock, Canepa is top of the standings with Eddie La Marra not far behind in second, both on the Panigale. Not many bikes win WSBK in their first year so let's give it a chance. The 848 race series is getting more and more prestigious, punters can see them at most BSB rounds and on TV. Some really good riders riding in the 848's no doubt adding to sales. Ducati have always been about racing, history and heritage. Have a look around the museum... it's all about racing. So, is race success that important to Ducati these days?.... Probably more than ever IMHO
And as much as most of you hate the idea of 'buying into a brand', race success builds that brand, the image, the aura of Ducati spanking some in line 4's ass because when you line up next to a Kawayamisukonda at the lights, you both know you're on the superior machine and therefore don't need to race off like an idiot, you've already won!
No, the original post was: So far you've given me the choice of A cruiser, unfaired A tall, sit up and beg bike with dodgy aerodynamics A roadster, unfaired A supermotard, unfaired A balls-out naked, unfaired. I want a sportsbike, with clip-ons and a fairing, but just a bit more practical and real world than the current razor sharp offering. Admittedly, if they want to race it, then we will end up with something even more razor-sharp than we currently have. They could just remake the Desmo and homologate it. That would probably do the trick as far as WSBK is concerned.
Below is an article from Ash on Bikes (God bless him). I also read another article recently where Stoner said the problems with the Moto GP bike (after they'd ditched the trellis frame) were not due to the carbon fibre one. He said he really rated it and if Ducati had provided him what he asked for (which he refused to specify) it would have won. Who knows, this might be sour grapes but a trellis frame is heavy and if flexes. Things have moved on in recent years and I think Ducati should also. Engine designer Marco Sauri says traditions are adhered to where possible but the company won’t let them get in the way of progress, and with the target figures of 192bhp and a 22lb (10kg) weight reduction to achieve, the trellis frame was dismissed early in discussions. The new chassis design is credited with the loss of 9.3lb (4.2kg).
