Aprilia RSV4 launched

[mitt]

I guess I can kinda see that.

I don't think those are headlights on the Aprilia though.  I think that's track bodywork.

I knew that those were not lights, just the overall 'shark like' appearance of the front end.  I think they both (the rr16 and rsv4) look good and agree the rest of the bike doesn't look at all  like each other.


mitt

[Beyote]

What I find amazing is the thought process for the bike.

Tiny tail like a GP bike for quick transitions, frame slider integrated into the bodywork on the Factory version, adjustable motor mounts(is that a first), adjustable steering head and swingarm pivot(not unlike the 916, 99x), fly by wire, massive gull swingarm, massive power,..

She is going to be amazing.   And Biaggi will be contending on her in WSBK.

Xaus is on the new BMW.



...but when I look back at a 1098S, the Duc had me at "Hello."

[cyrus buelton]

I dig both, but that exhaust on the street version is awful

[Triple J]

I dig both, but that exhaust on the street version is awful

+1 WTF is up with the enormous GP-style exhausts lately? 

Other than that they're both pretty cool though. How long 'til the Duc SBK has a V-4?

[superjohn]

I dig both, but that exhaust on the street version is awful

+1 . Exhaust would have to go.

[derby]

+1 WTF is up with the enormous GP-style exhausts lately? 

stricter emissions/noise requirements.

Other than that they're both pretty cool though. How long 'til the Duc SBK has a V-4?

if they hadn't been allowed 1200cc for racing i would've expected to see it next year or 2010.

[Rameses]

if they hadn't been allowed 1200cc for racing i would've expected to see it next year or 2010.

Haven't they sold enough Desmosedicis to meet the homologation requirements?

Why not run those in WSBK and AMA?

[superjohn]

Haven't they sold enough Desmosedicis to meet the homologation requirements?

Why not run those in WSBK and AMA?

I don't think they sold enough in the U.S and E.U. to satisfy homologation rules. Didn't the U.S only get like 100 of the 300 they'd need to race in AMA? Two years ago at VIR when I talked to the marketing guy, he made it sound like it'd be impossible to assemble the requisite yearly amount since the engines were largely hand assembled by the race team.

[Rameses]

I don't think they sold enough in the U.S and E.U. to satisfy homologation rules. Didn't the U.S only get like 100 of the 300 they'd need to race in AMA? Two years ago at VIR when I talked to the marketing guy, he made it sound like it'd be impossible to assemble the requisite yearly amount since the engines were largely hand assembled by the race team.

Oh, you have to sell a certain number per year?

They ended up making 1500 of them though.

[superjohn]

Oh, you have to sell a certain number per year?

They ended up making 1500 of them though.

Beats me. I just suggested they say screw the AMA and run a street legal MotoGP bike and that was the explanation I got.

[Triple J]

if they hadn't been allowed 1200cc for racing i would've expected to see it next year or 2010.

You think the next generation SBKs will have the V4 (3-5 years)? I guess it boils down to how highly tuned the current generation 1000cc I-4s are...because the 1098R seems to be close to it's limit (from my rather uneducated perspective). If they still have a lot of room to get more hp out of the 1000s, then it would seem the twins days are numbered.   I suppose at some point you'd hit a ceiling with the I-4s at 1000cc though...think they're close?

[superjohn]

I think the 1098/1198 can still make a lot more power and be competitive with a litre I-4. The 999 was still competing, it just needed to be rebuilt after every rave and run custom gearing that the I4's weren't allowed. I suppose it all depends on whether Ducati changes their philosophy. They've always contended that a V-twim was the best engine for street use, and therefore staunchly advocated the rules disposition that would allow for twins to be able to race competitively against the other makes. If they change their mind and decide a V-4 (big bang or otherwise) is as good for a street bike, or that a superbike is a race bike first and a street bike second, then I suppose they could always switch.

It's hard to say with Ducati I never thought they'd make a motard 

[c_rex]

Batman called... he wants his motorcycle back. 

[bulldogs2k]

Does anyone know how much they will be selling it for?  I like!

[LA]

What I'm interested in is how much they can market the street version for. And yes, the street version's exhaust is hideous. Put a headlight in the racer for me! -  thank you.

And Ducati could go to a 4 banger when they want or need to.  At 1200 cc they don't have excess power on there side. Other than the power that is Bayliss.

I wonder how "cheaply" Ducati could get with a production of a four if they had to.  I mean the research and development has been done. Hasn't it?

Notice "cheap" is in quotes.

LA