The next bike I buy will be......(renamed thread)
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:22 pm
I recently fell in love with the styling and the idea of owning a new Ducati Sport 1000S. Probably not the place to say it but there is very little in the Kawasaki new bike range that stirs me at the moment. I figured that the Ducati was about the best thing to suit my needs and wants and so I paid a visit to a dealer during the week to arrange a test ride. Whilst the "S" model was not available for demo the basic sport model was and so I fronted up sat morn for a go.
After a bit of googling and having read several articles online plus the sales brochure I figured I knew what might be in store and what to expect.......wrong.
Boasting a claimed 92hp from its aircooled 2 valve per cylinder 992cc 90degree V twin engine I knew that it was going to be a different animal than any inline four Japanese engine and I was prepared for a ride on a bike with a modest yet useable and toquey power spread......wrong.
The bike I rode was as it comes from the factory. Which makes me wonder how much grappa was consumed while these things are being created in the back shed at Bologna. Given the current crop of superbikes in the Ducati line up this can really only be described as a poorly executed parts bin special. I am being harsh, I know, but it really was the worst bike I have ever ridden. On paper it looks like a tidy little machine however the execution of this design brief is appalling.
I will ellaborate.
Sitting astride the Sport 1000 stationary I found it to be tall with a reasonable reach to the bars, shortarses need not apply. I am 185cm tall and the discussion of my inside leg length has been had before and so need not elaborate when I say I could just comfortably flat foot both feet. Its tall. Given my stature and that some say I am the type to still stride forward ungraciously with knuckles dragging on the ground I found that seated on the bike both arms were ramrod straight.
Adjusting the mirrors was a frugal endeavour for 2 reasons. Firstly they are bar end type and offer a limited view due to they're size, but on the move they simply gave me a vision of how I saw the world on Cup Day.
Ok so geared up adjusted and ready to move into traffic. The gearbox is incredibly smooth with only a short throw on the lever.....one redeeming feature. But that clutch! Hydraulic as it may be if you don't have the physical grip of one that beats off as often as me then you haven't got a hope of actuating it! Bloody heavy.
Test ride took in all aspects of what theis bike may be like to live with.....by live with I mean tolerate!
1. City Traffic. Terrible. Within 5 mins I found the weight on my wrists to be excessive, the mirrors completely useless for observing those around you and the engine was either lugging or in such a low gear to be snatchy and would make anybody look like a complete novice with constant go / stop behaviour
2. Freeway. Your kidding aren't you? This was my thought. Acceleration down the on-ramp that might give an ex courier CX500 a run for its money only to reach 100kmh and vibrate and chug like an old Massey Grey trying to take off in 4 High. Shit you not 100kmh equals 3200rpm and not only the mirrors vibrating excessively but the rubber mounted dash and your kidneys as well! I shook my head and persisted. Acceleration from 100 was non-existant in top. Back one gear and still fuck all happened except a different frequency of vibration. Back 2 and it started to lurch forward....slowly.
3. Corners. This it did very well....Kind of. Approach a corner and try to find a gear that may be useful. Anywhere above 4000rpm and your in the sweet spot, but dont grab a gear too low or the throttle response is snatchy and a little unpredictable. The bike itself steers very well and goes where it is pointed, unless there is anything like a ripple in the road surface and then the front skips and the rear bounces - harshly. What I can put down to the high COG makes this thing steer and drop into corners very nicely its just staying there on the chosen line that is hard with the firm suspension and the "characteristic" engine.
In short If you are after a poser bike to trailer to the nearest cafe and sit beside to sip lates then this is it - Fuck knows you wouldn't ride it!
For a 1000cc Vtwin with modern equipment I was sadly disapointed to find that it was the most appalling and terrible motorcycle I have ever ridden. Keep the engine between 4 and 7k rpm and there is a smooth and pleasant engine, unfortunately the gearing will not allow this. The sales pitch I got on return was drop a tooth on the front or go up 2 on the rear and that will help. apparantley $2200 worth of Termis will liberate another 10hp too. For a list price over 18k all I can say is .....Keep it cause I wouldn't give you 8. A Royal Enfield would be a better option, next year they come with EFI!
After a bit of googling and having read several articles online plus the sales brochure I figured I knew what might be in store and what to expect.......wrong.
Boasting a claimed 92hp from its aircooled 2 valve per cylinder 992cc 90degree V twin engine I knew that it was going to be a different animal than any inline four Japanese engine and I was prepared for a ride on a bike with a modest yet useable and toquey power spread......wrong.
The bike I rode was as it comes from the factory. Which makes me wonder how much grappa was consumed while these things are being created in the back shed at Bologna. Given the current crop of superbikes in the Ducati line up this can really only be described as a poorly executed parts bin special. I am being harsh, I know, but it really was the worst bike I have ever ridden. On paper it looks like a tidy little machine however the execution of this design brief is appalling.
I will ellaborate.
Sitting astride the Sport 1000 stationary I found it to be tall with a reasonable reach to the bars, shortarses need not apply. I am 185cm tall and the discussion of my inside leg length has been had before and so need not elaborate when I say I could just comfortably flat foot both feet. Its tall. Given my stature and that some say I am the type to still stride forward ungraciously with knuckles dragging on the ground I found that seated on the bike both arms were ramrod straight.
Adjusting the mirrors was a frugal endeavour for 2 reasons. Firstly they are bar end type and offer a limited view due to they're size, but on the move they simply gave me a vision of how I saw the world on Cup Day.
Ok so geared up adjusted and ready to move into traffic. The gearbox is incredibly smooth with only a short throw on the lever.....one redeeming feature. But that clutch! Hydraulic as it may be if you don't have the physical grip of one that beats off as often as me then you haven't got a hope of actuating it! Bloody heavy.
Test ride took in all aspects of what theis bike may be like to live with.....by live with I mean tolerate!
1. City Traffic. Terrible. Within 5 mins I found the weight on my wrists to be excessive, the mirrors completely useless for observing those around you and the engine was either lugging or in such a low gear to be snatchy and would make anybody look like a complete novice with constant go / stop behaviour
2. Freeway. Your kidding aren't you? This was my thought. Acceleration down the on-ramp that might give an ex courier CX500 a run for its money only to reach 100kmh and vibrate and chug like an old Massey Grey trying to take off in 4 High. Shit you not 100kmh equals 3200rpm and not only the mirrors vibrating excessively but the rubber mounted dash and your kidneys as well! I shook my head and persisted. Acceleration from 100 was non-existant in top. Back one gear and still fuck all happened except a different frequency of vibration. Back 2 and it started to lurch forward....slowly.
3. Corners. This it did very well....Kind of. Approach a corner and try to find a gear that may be useful. Anywhere above 4000rpm and your in the sweet spot, but dont grab a gear too low or the throttle response is snatchy and a little unpredictable. The bike itself steers very well and goes where it is pointed, unless there is anything like a ripple in the road surface and then the front skips and the rear bounces - harshly. What I can put down to the high COG makes this thing steer and drop into corners very nicely its just staying there on the chosen line that is hard with the firm suspension and the "characteristic" engine.
In short If you are after a poser bike to trailer to the nearest cafe and sit beside to sip lates then this is it - Fuck knows you wouldn't ride it!
For a 1000cc Vtwin with modern equipment I was sadly disapointed to find that it was the most appalling and terrible motorcycle I have ever ridden. Keep the engine between 4 and 7k rpm and there is a smooth and pleasant engine, unfortunately the gearing will not allow this. The sales pitch I got on return was drop a tooth on the front or go up 2 on the rear and that will help. apparantley $2200 worth of Termis will liberate another 10hp too. For a list price over 18k all I can say is .....Keep it cause I wouldn't give you 8. A Royal Enfield would be a better option, next year they come with EFI!
I don't get out much anymore!!!!! 
