| Close but not on target
I think as most people have suggested, the pipes are likely to be purely there for "test bed" purposes. The rear swingarm looks fookin' huge in cross section. The bodywork, apart from the open ducts on the side, does not look that far removed from the 999, which would suggest this is purely a mechanical shakedown bike, until such a time as the final version is ready to be clothed on the hopefully by then, tried and tested mechanics underneath.
I agree with regards to the exhausts though. To revert to the 916 style twin underseat system would be a regressive move, as it's no longer innovative as it once was. Just look at how many Japanese manufacturers followed suit after the 916 first came to light. It's old hat now and nothing new. People want innovation and style from the new bike, not an amalgamation of old concepts. Evolution of the new bike can wait for the years following it's release
If they could produce something along the lines of the GP road bike at an affordable price with the same levels of ingenuity and styling cues built in (like the Ferrari F1 style upward exiting exhausts on the Desmosedici), then they would generate a huge level of interest and hopefully much needed sales when the finished product is unveiled in November at the Milan show.  |