Well well how true this is. i have ridden the 916 and its rare to get a nod from any other biker even other ducati riders, yet this weekend took the RC30 out into wales and yet again not a sniff of a nod, although got an irrate finger from a ZX7R rider after riding round the outside of him through some bends (power ranger'd up and no idea that his bike leans more than 5 degree's yet blasts it on the straights). yet took the CBR600RR out on sunday evening and got loads of nods, flashes and waves.
Deffo seem to be having to seen riding a modern jap missile to fit in with the power ranger boys, on the other hand most have no idea what a RC30 is let alone how rare and special they are, most think its just another NC30 - hence girls bike - till you pass em anyway

it's just so red:D

Although I've never owned a Ducati, I've been a fan for a long long time. I've also owned various Japanese bikes and the quality can be very surprising and varied, not helped by some dealers messing them up. The service costs for Japanese bikes are not very cheap either, and at 4000mile intervals this can get very expensive. The money I saved in not letting my 600 Bandit commuter bike near a dealer for the first 2 years(50,000miles), could've bought me another Bandit. I invalidated the warranty, but it proved reliable as the dealer's dodgy trainees never touched it. Fortunately the large dealer chain is no longer in business. Not all Japanese bikes are as reliable as this one, but the importers cover it up with the dodgy dealers and plenty of magazine advertising.
Ducati - bought by enthusiasts, looked after by enthusiasts
Japanese - cheap disposable transport
http://www.od-racing.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/index.php

I could not care one bit what others think about my bikes. They are my toys.


"He who enjoys doing and enjoys what he has done is happy"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[quote=Loz]Henry, what you say about the GSXR1000 is echoed by the journos who write about it, and my own experiences of riding with people who own one. I've ridden a GSXR750, which I have to say, accelerates like a lunatic - BUT - it still needed to be kept on the boil. One day I'll try a Gixxer Thou and see for myself.

Loz,your more than welcome to try my GSXR1000 K6 if you want on the "you bend it,you mend it "basis,it has a very linear,almost Ducati power delivery below about 9000 RPM where after its just ballistic.The handling is neutral,the ride is softish,the brakes are not as sharp as my old 748R but powerfull,the looks are marmitey especialy the exhaust but obviosly not as pretty as 916 types,the finish i have to say is nowhere near as good as a Ducati but you just know that every time you hit that switch it will start and it just does what it says on the packet.Oh and did i mention that air box noise? Just heavenly.

Bury Hill?

So if you go for a ride with someone on say an R1 you would say the R1 is a better bike ?

Your comment only means that you are a better rider than your friends it's as simple as that. Your comment also gives me reason to your original post, maybe you have a bit of a complex about owning a Duc ?

The 999 I owned was great, went well and handled well but if that's the yardstick to buying a bike then it wouldn't be the 999 as there are plenty of faster lighter bikes out there.
Buying a duc is sacrificing power for something else, a bit of character. But many Jap bikes also have that which I think is now showing in sales.

The main thing is tho buy what you want and be happy with it, there's no point knocking other marques or trying to justify your own choice :)

Hi Stu
That's a kind offer and I have to say I'm tempted. I almost always refuse the offer to ride someone else's bike, their p&j, but if we happen to be at Bury Hill at the same time one evening / weekend, who's to say?
I happen to like the GSXR1000 exhaust, it appeals to me. However, Suzuki build quality, in terms of finish, has always been a bit suspect in my opinion (same for Yamaha), but you can't argue with that performance, can you?

Yes, I know what you mean about induction roar, it's very seductive :)

Cheers mate.

i dont believe the 749 is a quicker bike, there is just a common sterotype that is, expensive bike he must ride really slow and or is a poof.
Which makes me laugh when you can actually ride quicker than they do.
Although

I know quite a lot of muppets who ride Jap and Italian.

When you park up, just get a brew and a sausage barm, it's only a toy, don't take it too seriously.

The only reason people own a japanese bike is the cost............they cant afford a ducati! :D