My 916 makes more than enough power for me. My 1198 pulls like a train. Both are way way way faster than I will ever be. But in truth we all want as much as we can get. Its only the racers who can use it on the track. You cannot use all on the roads. If you do, then fair play but you will be losing that license soon enough.
Ahem... It's R1 time.... I love the fact that I have enough grunt to pull at any revs in any gear. It's exactly why I switched the R6 for the bigger bike. I have barely ridden it over 10K rpm (the location where some magic is hidden) but riding it below that gives me everything I want and need plus a bit (lot) extra should I want to use it. Now the limiting factor is me and will always be me, rather than me but eventually the bike as I suspected would be the case on the 600. R1's with mods that I have make around 160 -165 at the wheel. I need to get my PC3 fitted and tuned to get the last few ponies. Doesn't really need it now though.
But i doubt you are much if any quicker on the R1 than you are on the R6? Its not about how fast the power makes you go but how it makes you feel and how easy it is to use lower down the rev range. I got rid of my 954 Fireblade as it didn't feel anything special until you got into 3 figure speeds, which is not good for a road bike. BTW that's not a slight on you, pingping, just a general observation.
Speaking to a Ducati test rider at Borgo Panigale a few years ago, he was of the opinion that around 80 HP (rear wheel) was suitable for your average rider. My 749 and Muttley 1000sds are in that ball park, and still provide plenty of fun.
I would agree, around 100hp maybe but with the grunt of a bigger cc engine so not all revs like a 600.
You're right about not being faster, if anything I'm slower as I'm much more wary of winding it on too far. However I like riding it much more.
Ok, here's an admission.... My 750 monster has about 63 bhp. It also has a relatively slow throttle fitted as std. which requires more than a single handful to fully open. Even after 7yrs ownership, I still seldom use the last 20% of the throttle. I wasn't even fully aware of the remaining bit of throttle until a couple of summers ago. I couldn't really care less about performance upgrades as, on the right sort of roads, I don't need them. But I am passionate about lightness to the extent that I would happily consider fitting carbon wheels which cost nearly twice the current market value of the whole bike. Bhp figures sell new bikes though, while low weight doesn't quite have the same kudos in the showroom or bragging rights down the pub. But we would all have better bikes if it were the other way around. .....all in my humble opinion only though. You pays yer money.......
I'd be happier if bikes were as a general rule lighter, rather than having bigger more powerful engines. The weight was the major off-putting factor about the 1200 Monster I borrowed a few weeks ago. However, what does make me laugh is the number of bikers who spend a fortune on carbon and other weight saving bits for the bike, when frankly, they'd be better spending the money on gym membership and losing a few pounds off the rider! Having met you, Utopia, I know that doesn't apply in your case. (I also know what it means to fall under the spell of the shiny titanium loveliness on a visit to NCR ...)
I managed to resist temptation myself at NCR (I prefer to save my money for petrol and nice hotels to take my bike on tour, rather than blinging up the Monster) but I can quite understand (having compared the weight of original versus titanium replacement bits at NCR) why others do succumb.
If Ducati made a new SuperMono consisting of the 600cc front cylinder off a Panigale with featherweight cycle parts and 100 bhp, would that be about right?
its even possible to visit the pope when in Italy..........last time I met him he put his hand on my head and whispered..............who the fuck cut your hair.
Dunno how it was arranged but yes, it is possible to visit the NCR factory. I was lucky enough to get to go there last year. It damn nearly cost me dearly though...... You see, they build this bike....M4-one shot I believe they call it. It illustrates this thread rather well. Titanium frame, carbon subframe, tank and wheels, bog std 1100evo motor. The thing weighs nothing and, even just sitting on it at a standstill in the carpark, it just felt ALIVE. As stated earlier, huge bhp figures do nothing for me but this bike had me gasping with lust to the extent that I actively considered how I could possibly raise the necessary £33k to buy one.....and I'm far from a wealthy man. And not only was it superlight (around 140kg if memory serves), it was also SIMPLE, with its 2-valve, aircooled motor. I think the bike world has been stuck for some time now in the relentless quest for more and more power and ever increasing technical complexity. But this has far more to do with marketing in the modern world than with how to build a good motorcycle. I guess it has to be that way if the manufacturers are to survive. For me though, power has long ceased to be a major criterion. Simplicity with lightness has taken over. I would be ecstatic with 80bhp and 140kg.
Go to the Ducati Netherlands race meet at Assen. They are always there, along with other specialists providers, and the paddock full of super trick mainly Ducatis
