Aussie MCN Superbike shootout

[enigma51]

I reckon that new buel will be the best bike you can buy for the road. You just wouldnt tell anyone its yours.

[SixPackBack]

Okay bought the mag and studied the test in detail. A couple of observations:

• The bikes are all very close.
• Manufactures have the ability to supply the test with a 'specially prepared model' [personally I believe in this test at least one bike was 'prepared'].
• The riders and the test seemed very fair with the exception of choosing 'off the floor model'.
• The Buell, RSV4 and BMW1000 are noticeably absent, without them the test is not comprehensive.
• The GSXR had no time to prepare, expect measurable improvement when it does.
• R1-what a disappointment, still a great bike just not the panacea MCN constantly wanks on about.
• 5 of the riders set their fastest lap on the CBR1000RR-no question it is a very good bike. Pity about the oil consumption!
• I'll take the Ducati.

[Chrislost]

Which one is fastest to Piha?

Whichever one dosn't wheelie most of the way there...

[NZsarge]

Agree- ride what you wanna ride
Disagree- to hell with what anyone else thinks

I think we all agree the technical performance of sportsbikes are separated by the length of a bees dick these days.

The trick to selling bikes though, which is clearly escaping some manufacturers, is build a bike that people will feel good about and PROUD to own. Just like the age old saying "your pride and joy"

As an analogy. Both Susan Boyle and Beyonce can sing a song with a sweet voice. But which one would you want your mates to see you riding?

The latest crop of sportsbikes just seem to get more bland and uglier each time you see them. My personal exceptions being the RSV4, 1198 & 675 and even the BMW1000RR has that x-factor.

Meh.. It's all in the eye of the beholder really as far as looks go, A lot of people think my bike as ugly as but think it look farkin' awesome.
I'm reserving judgement on the New R1 until I see one in the flesh, seen the new Gixxer and things have'nt improved, ZX 10 is ok accept for those dodgy front indicators (the '06 model is by far the best looking ZX10 ever), the CBR is below average at best, RSV4 is looks good in profile but shite front on and the same goes for the Beemer S1000RR, the 675 does absolutely nothing for me looks wise i'm afraid, I just look at them and think... well nothing really, to me they are bit bland. The Ducati to me only looks good up close when examining the blingy details, from a distance it like.. whatever, I do like the RSV1000R though and MV Augusta is quite nice but i'm not putting it at the head of the pack by a long stretch.
But before anyone screams blue murder it's as I said, it's all in the eye of the beholder, one man's master piece is another man's finger painting by a 2 year old.
A lot machinery is quite colour sensitive too, never been a fan of R1's in the red and white colours, there not too bad in blue and look freakin' great in black (most things do), best looking ever modern sportbike for me is the '05/'06 R1 in Raven black (the yellow anniversary model is pretty hot too).

To each their own eh...

[White trash]

The latest crop of sportsbikes just seem to get more bland and uglier each time you see them. My personal exceptions being the RSV4, 1198 & 675 and even the BMW1000RR has that x-factor.

See what happens when ya buy a European bike? Nothing else is good enough any more.......