|
|
|
|
|
Hits and Misses: Ducati Streetfighter 1098 Enter the Ducati Streetfighter in the spring of 2009 amid much hype and excitement. It was a stripped down naked version of the 1098 Superbike with slightly higher one piece bars. Our mouth was watering, we wanted one in our garage. But then, a quick look at the spec sheet for the Streetfighter and we immediately became concerned. The already slow 24.5° steering geometry and 56.3 ins. wheelbase of the Superbike (the 1198R models are adjustable to an even quicker 23.5° angle as used by the Corse race team) hasn't been retained in the Syteetfighter, or matched to the even quicker handling Hypermoto at 24° steering, wheelbase 57.3 ins. Instead, the Streetfighter was make even slower handling with a really raked out 25.3° steering head angle and an extended swingarm for a 57.8 ins. wheelbase. We decided to reserve judgment until we actually got to ride a Streetfighter on the street. Meanwhile Ducati premiered the Streetfighter to the International press on a high speed race track where the slow handling and low handlebars would not be as noticeable. We finally got to test ride a streetfighter at our local dealer in the fall of 2009 once the initial pre ordered bikes had been sold, and demo bikes became available. To our dismay we found the Streetfighter to be even more disconcerting to ride than the spec sheet led us to think. The bike just does not turn, and the low, short leverage handlebars don't help any by pulling you up over the front of the bike. You no real leverage to overcome the bike's slower steering,while you are positioned splayed across the gas tank, staring at the front wheel with no perceived protection that even a race fairing would provide. We kept thinking we were ready to die by being planted head first, into the first object on the road that got in our way. Compounding matters even further is the rear set foot peg location retained from the Superbikes which provide no leverage or control for sit up street or tight canyon riding. The foot pegs/foot controls need to be positioned 2.5 ins. in front of the swingarm pivot like on the Hypermoto, not 4.0 ins behind the swingarm pivot like the Superbike. In all, the Streetfighter's foot pegs need to be moved 6-7 ins. forward for better bike control and rider comfort on the street. The Streetfighter 1098 is just not a very easy or enjoyable bike to ride. Why would a serious sportbike company like Ducati design the ergonomics of the Streetfighter like this we don't know (because a lot of people buy Ducati Monsters with the same silly riding position/ergonomics, stupid!). Ducati is marketing this bike as a rich kid's toy for profiling around town, and not as canyon racer. We have to point out the new Multistrada 1200 has essentially the same Testastretta engine with even better around-town power, comfortable sit-up riding position, ergonomics, and it is afar better bike for all applications (it's just not as sexy looking as the Streefighter). If you've noticed, the few people who did buy a Streetfighters when it first came out, well, they just aren't riding them much. They leave it parked at home. The word is out. And now Ducati NA is now trying hard to move current Streetfighters with discount financing offers. We have suggested to Ducati that they make available an optional Ducati Perforance Kit that offers more forward placement foot peg controls, and a taller, more rearward placed handlebar. This would at least make the bike ride able for people who have already bought one, or the bikes not yet sold. And for the next model year Ducati certainly needs to include these foot and handlebar changes as standard, together with a change back to the stock Superbike swingarm and a quicker 24° steering angle. Then Ducati would have the ultimate naked superbike I'd want to own.
©
Copyright FastDates.com |
