This is extremely funny on several levels: 1. Ducati make trellis-framed bikes for donkey's years and establish a reputation with them but then abandon them as they aren't up to the job of their up-to 200 bhp. The bike they make without one doesn't win any races. Kawasaki choose the trellis for their 300 bhp monster. 2. By making a 300 bhp bike, Kawasaki resurrect the "Widowmaker" tradition (will surely be one of the first headlines). It will surely kill many of the fools unwise enough to open the taps... Having said all that, I like it and I'm glad it exists. None of the best stuff makes any sense anyway.
I'd have one, not too bothered about the looks, a supercharged whatever and I will be happy. I bet its a BLAST to ride!
I wonder what the mpg is like on full noise. If you used it on the autobahn, you'd want to make sure that you'd reach the next petrol station before the go-juice ran out.
I can see where youre coming from - agreed - but - its Kawasaki's style most of their bikes are very angular. Whereas ducati are very roundy,swishy...
Did anyone see the multi-surfaced 'transformers' look anywhere before the Transformers movies came out? I'm seeing loads of things that remind me of them lately, especially bikes. I can't decide if I like it or not, I certainly prefer the Ducati style of more simple beautiful lines rather than stuff like this or the BMW S1000RR with more lines than a coke house.
I think though from a price point of view (I think these are superleggera prices) id rather have a superleggera...
Not to turn the thread but ive really come round to ducati's way of thinking (Scramber aside), more is less, simple looks better. Having only owned them (ducati's) in the last couple of years they did used to be (in my eyes) form over function but now they've got it just right...
Really?! no way I'd consider £50k on it. That said I was expecting more like ~£25k but cannot remember where I read that? I'd love to have a SuperLeggera but I find it hard to justify so much money on bikes when the standard models improve so quickly anyhow.
I think it is....the race version I know is stupid money (where I was getting my comparison) - not sure about the road version though....I think its nice the Kawasaki style their bikes the way they do - keeps is different....a la ktm....again their own noticeable style....love ktm supermoto's (building my own custom one at the moment)
On a serious note - will this be able to race with other bikes or does is spawn a whole new category - as it'll have the unfair advantage - and quite a big one at that...itll be just going round the track on its own. Also....on a more comedic note....theres a lot of flaps and vents and sticky outy bits to go down the road isn't there....
Id imagine if one of these went down the road, itd be going a bit faster than any bike would survive.
Even if it was racing the others, it will be going round on its own. Everything else would have been lapped. This is a slap in the face for all the other manufacturers. Where once upon a time ducati dared, now they dont. Kawasaki has taken that baton and done a fucking runner with it. Its outrageous, daring, strange, outlandish and insane and I want one now. You can keep your 1299 and shove it.
oooh - I dunno - a balls out 1290 would be my preference....full Austin system - all the powerparts etc etc....if I could by the preproduction version - id remortgage the house for that pup. Although the allure of hearing a supercharger spinning up underneath your arse would be worth paying for!