-
Model(s) covered: 2005 Ducati 999 R, 2005 MV Agusta F4 1000 Agostini
Two of the very finest, highly pedigreed superbikes bred carefully by two very different Italian manufacturers take the term “exotica” to another level. These two machines are very much alike—though clearly very different. Varied interpretations on a theme, these storied Italian factories steeped in racing heritage arrive at almost exactly the same point, yet via very different routes. The lucky rider who gets to experience both machines will be absolutely spoiled for choice.
MV Agusta dabbled in commercial motorcycle manufacturing from the '50s into the '80s, but the company's passion was always its road-racing machines. It was the dominant force in the '50s, '60s and '70s world championships, and in that time MV Agusta motorcycles won an unprecedented 270 Grands Prix that resulted in 37 individual riders' championship titles.
read full test >>
-
2005 Superbike Smackdown II - Track (Motorcycle-usa.com)
Model(s) covered: 2005 Ducati 999 R, 2005 Honda CBR 1000 RR, 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000, 2005 Yamaha YZF-R1, 2005 Kawasaki ZX-10R
Okay, by now you've probably read the street portion of our 2005 Superbike Smackdown. In this exemplary crop of literbikes, Suzuki's new GSX-R1000 scored highest in a street environment thanks to the best powertrain in the group and an amazing lack of flaws.
But what if you don't give a damn about things like wind protection, seating comfort, mirror effectiveness and a heavy clutch pull?
read full test >>
-
2005 Superbike Smackdown II - Street (Motorcycle-usa.com)
Model(s) covered: 2005 Ducati 999 R, 2005 Honda CBR 1000 RR, 2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000, 2005 Yamaha YZF-R1, 2005 Kawasaki ZX-10R
So you like to go fast, eh? Blazingly, obscenely fast? Well, you'd better hang on tight because this quintet can bring felony-levels of acceleration and speed without even getting out of first gear.
"You don't buy 1000s to go 55," notes Editorial Director and chief mullet Ken Hutchison. "You buy them because you're going to go out and break some traffic laws."
read full test >>
-
Model(s) covered: 2005 Ducati 999 R
While flipping channels earlier this week, a whacked-out guest of the preachy "Dr. Phil" show was telling the nation about his financial problems. He and his family had declared bankruptcy a couple of years ago and were well on their way to losing it all again.
The motorcycle-related part of this anecdote is that, despite this poor sap's near financial ruin, he was resolutely unwilling to sell his prized Ducati. "No, you don't understand," he pleaded. "It's a Ducati."
read full test >>