Streetfighter impressions

Michael Moore · June 16, 2009, 09:14:31 PM

I went up to Hattar this afternoon, having ducked out of work a bit early, and took the Streetfighter for a little spin down Lucas Valley Rd.

First off, this is a very, very, very good motorcycle. I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable on a bike that wasn't mine, and that I'd owned for a long time. It just feels right - all the controls are where you'd want them to be. The seat is, dare I say it?, the most comfortable stock Ducati seat I've ever tried. The pegs feel right, with the exception of having to angle your right heel out to clear the big honkin' exhaust. Pretty much like the S4Rs I tried, only this one didn't melt my boot. Nice.

The other thing you notice is that it feels extremely nimble. As nimble as the Hypermotard I think, even at pretty slow speeds.

Once you're onto the freeway, the only thing you have to watch for is nearly smacking into the backs of all those cars. You see a little open road, give it just a skosh of gas, and all of a sudden you're staring at a license plate, and remembering to *gently* squeeze those Brembos. Actually I think the brakes are more progressive than the S4Rs or Hyper. (Or maybe the Hattar guys just put some air in the line so they didn't have another test rider mishap.)

The power on this thing is incredible. At double the HP of my old monster, I expected it to be quick, but honestly I don't think I ever got above half throttle or over 9K during the test ride. I'm not ready to put my trust in traction control on a bike I don't own.

In the swoopy and twisty bits of Lucas Valley the bike was really easy to turn and held a line beautifully. The gearing seemed good and I probably could have done the whole ride in 2nd gear it has so much torque and range. Hattar had put on the Termis so it sounded lovely.

I turned around in Nicaso and had a less-encumbered ride back, and did a couple of little blasts along the straight part of Lucas Valley. Oh yes, you can do stupid things with amazing speed on this little beastie.

Do I love it? Yep. Am I gonna get one? Prolly. Anyone want to buy a nice clean R6?

desmoquattro · June 16, 2009, 09:39:09 PM

Do it...

sfarchie · June 16, 2009, 09:53:09 PM

Congrats on getting it! You know you will

Speeddog · June 16, 2009, 09:58:04 PM

How easy does the front wheel get light coming off a corner?

Or does the forward seating and long swingarm kinda keep it planted?

Michael Moore · June 16, 2009, 10:02:56 PM

Quote from: Speeddog on June 16, 2009, 09:58:04 PM
How easy does the front wheel get light coming off a corner?

Or does the forward seating and long swingarm kinda keep it planted?

Not that I tried to wheelie, but the shop had the traction control set at 7, which pretty effectively keeps the front wheel down. If you set the DTC off, or at the "Stoner" setting, it'd come up in pretty much any gear you'd like. It's a very small bike and feels very short and light. In fact the lightness and nimbleness and suspension like buttah, are really what appeals to me about the bike.

Desmostro · June 16, 2009, 10:14:17 PM

Nice

tee hee. There's love there.

I got try it out once before they sell their demo.

Hattar let you take it out for quite a stretch geez.
Who'd you have to do?

mostrobelle · June 16, 2009, 10:28:21 PM

I hate you. I just do.

BikerGoddess · June 16, 2009, 10:30:35 PM

Quote from: Desmostro on June 16, 2009, 10:14:17 PM
Hattar let you take it out for quite a stretch geez.
Who'd you have to do?

MM's a member of the Platinum Shopper Program.

Speeddog · June 16, 2009, 10:37:43 PM

I wish the 848 motor was lighter, so they'd build one with it.

I would fear irresponsibility with the big motor.

Drunken Monkey · June 17, 2009, 12:17:30 AM

Quote from: Speeddog on June 16, 2009, 10:37:43 PM
I would fear irresponsibility with the big motor.

Ditto.

The question is: will Micheal use his newfound power for good... or for AWESOME ?

IdZer0 · June 17, 2009, 02:53:09 AM

Quote from: Speeddog on June 16, 2009, 10:37:43 PM
I wish the 848 motor was lighter, so they'd build one with it.

Why does it have to be lighter for them to build it?

Speeddog · June 17, 2009, 09:26:47 AM

Quote from: IdZer0 on June 17, 2009, 02:53:09 AM
Why does it have to be lighter for them to build it?

I may not have been thinking clearly.

If the 848 motor was significantly lighter than the 1098, it would be a reason to build essentially the same bike with less HP.
Though that hasn't stopped them building 748/749 SBKs.

IdZer0 · June 17, 2009, 01:36:01 PM

I say we keep asking for it here, and hope they listen

ducati_tim · June 17, 2009, 03:02:21 PM

I am glad you didn't ask who wanted to by a 2000 M900, Michael. You need to own at least one good looking motorcycle

Michael Moore · June 18, 2009, 07:27:39 AM

Quote from: ducati_tim on June 17, 2009, 03:02:21 PM
I am glad you didn't ask who wanted to by a 2000 M900, Michael. You need to own at least one good looking motorcycle

Ha! True. The monster is a quandry. On the one hand, it would be nice to have the garage space back, and I suspect with a Streetfighter in there the monster wouldn't get ridden much. On the other hand, who would buy a Ducati with 57K on the clock, even if it is one sweet-handling bike? Plus it would be like selling a beloved member of the family.

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Streetfighter impressions