Ducati’s last V-twin superbike is a £35k dream bike, using the some of the best bits from various models. We introduced it to PB’s Ducati-loving, road-racing track tester Michael Rutter and his favourite-ever Bolognese superbike: the still-fabulous 888
IF YOU CAN’T BEAT THEM, join them. Or, in Ducati’s case, if you can’t beat them, bring a MotoGP-derived engine to WSB and try again. From next year, their flagship, WSB homologated road-bike will have a V4 engine – henceforth they will only use V-twins in tamer, road oriented models.
The winningest manufacturer in world level production racing last won the big prize in 2011, with Carlos Checa on a 1098R. Then Max Biaggi on a (sometimes rule-flouting) Aprilia RSV4 took the honours, and with the exception of another pot for the Noale boys in 2014 with Guintoli, Kawasaki’s ZX-10R has bossed the championship in the hands of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea. The all-new frameless, radical Superquaddro engined Panigle (on the grid since 2013) hasn’t managed to emulate the success of the trellis-framed bikes. Try as they might, the physical and technical limitations of a V-twin can’t be overcome. Development has all but plateaued, while the fours continue to progress. Time for a change.
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Down Under On Top
In 1987 Wayne Gardner became the first Australian to win the 500cc world championship. Thirty years later, the Wild Man from Wollongong recalls that amazing year of V4 dominance...
Cheste Pains
In 1987, PB’s editor sent three grown men to the Bol d’Or on two-stroke 125s, resulting in a tale of misery, hilarity and adventure. 30 years later, we’re doing it again – but this time, it’s four-strokes, and the destination is mid-Spain, in winter...
Factory Fugitive
Against all odds, this HRC RC45 was saved from the crusher and ended up in the hands of PB reader Mick Loughlin, who ensures this Suzuka exotica still gets a pasting.
The Losing Battle RC45 Vs 916
Both Honda and Ducati debuted new WSB bikes in 1994, igniting a superbike development battle that Honda could never win...
Remy: A Chip Off The Old Block
Wayne Gardner is now in the thick of his second Grand Prix career, as father and coach to elder son Remy.
It's All About The Battery
JAPANESE COMPANY MUGEN (owned by Soichiro Honda’s son, Hirotoshi) currently makes the world’s fastest EV race bikes.
Got Them Over A Barrel
Michael Rutter has had one of the seasons of his life in British Superstock and on the roads. His team had no option but to agree to do it all again next year...
Winter Of Malcontent
GSX-R fights the seasonal blues.
Franco Says Relax
Next year Moto2 ace Franco Morbidelli will be the first VR46 rider to make it to MotoGP. But the young Roman is more laidback than any title challenger has a right to be – is that something to do with his teacher?
Working Double Time
Rutter’s man reveals the demands of racing in both British Superstock AND British Superbikes
