Triumphrat

skygodmatt · 12-21-2008, 02:23 PM

Yesterday in San Mateo, Ducati showed their 1098 Steetfighter.

I must say that it is the best looking naked bike that I have ever seen. There were carbon bits galore with a full Ohlins suspension. The lines looked much better than the photos show. The ergos were perfect. No one was able to sit on it but I was able to con my way on it near the end of the day. I did not get to ride it unfortunately. LOL.
The only problem-- it's 19k. Any rich naked riders here? You''re gonna have to get it.

Catenaccio · 12-21-2008, 02:50 PM

Why don't we pool our resources and if we can raise more than the cost of a cup of coffee, we'll buy a Streetfighter.

I, in my magnanimity, will keep it centrally located at my house so as to guarantee fairness for all investors. Riding order will be selected by a random drawing (My numbers, my hat) and allocated subsequently.

"Ponzi"

Speedy Russ · 12-21-2008, 02:53 PM

I'll reserve judgement until I see one in person, but it looks EXTREMELY busy. Price aside, it will likely be the top performing naked bike on the market. I wonder what Triumph has up it's sleeve fo an update of the Speed Triple?

KungFooJimmy · 12-21-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skygodmatt

The only problem-- it's 19k. Any rich naked riders here? You''re gonna have to get it.

$19K is for the S version, right? I wonder how much the base model will be without the Ohlins. The might put it within range... but I think the Speed Triple will still be the biggest bang for the buck.

Any chance you snapped a few photos?

HeliBif · 12-21-2008, 03:25 PM

Yeah, sounds like the S model. It would also have had the wonderful magnesium wheels, which the base model does not.

In any case, I *want* to love the Ducati. I feel as if I NEED to love it. I just can't quite get over some of the asthetics... The headlights, the bulkyness compared to the Speedy... maybe I'm taking too much from photos, I dunno.

skygodmatt · 12-21-2008, 03:43 PM

Yes...it was the "S" model. There was no regular model there.

No...it most definitely was not bulky at all. It was lean and mean. Our triples look bulkier. As fas a "busy-ness" it looks great. I think they may have changed some of the plastic parts a bit so it looks really lean. You'll see. Ducati was very proud of that one and it drew the most crowd at the show. Sorry I did take photos. I barely had time to see everything there. I think it will be the perfect streetfighter if you can get past paying 20k otd for it. Gotta pay if you want to play I suppose.

skygodmatt · 12-21-2008, 03:53 PM

I see what you mean by looking this photo by MCN. At the show, it did not look anywhere near this bulky. I can't remember if something has been changed on the bike or if this photo was shot from an angle that made it look bigger. It appeared like it was balanced well at the show.

KungFooJimmy · 12-21-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeliBif

In any case, I *want* to love the Ducati. I feel as if I NEED to love it. I just can't quite get over some of the asthetics... The headlights, the bulkyness compared to the Speedy... maybe I'm taking too much from photos, I dunno.

I like the idea of it (stripped-down superbike) more than the Monster, but the press photos I've seen make it look fat around the mid-section. And I've never dug on naked bikes with headlights sunk back into the forks like that. The bug-eye headlights was one of the things that drew me to the Triple more than the Monster.

Shaunlee · 12-21-2008, 03:55 PM

Have to wait to see one in person but from the pics I don't care for it, always thought the Monster was a great looking bike.

I think the even more hideous B-King has it beat performance wise.

LuLLaby057 · 12-21-2008, 04:01 PM

I love the looks.