Motorcycle.com 2015 Track Test

Agree it's a broad statement - for a novice to median skill rider, where a liter would probably be a handful (electronic aids help)

wilkson said:

That's a broad statement . To me a 600 is the last thing I want to be riding .

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agreed. Ducati riders tend to like torque, and the idea of being on a buzzy whining machine with a whopping 40 lb/ft torque PEAK, I'd rather walk.

Besides, the 600cc inline-4 is the bike of choice for many an 18 year old, who buys one fifth-hand, only been laid down a couple times, hacksaws off the muffler, then rides around banging off the 16k rpm rev limiter.

kismetcapitan said:

agreed. Ducati riders tend to like torque, and the idea of being on a buzzy whining machine with a whopping 40 lb/ft torque PEAK, I'd rather walk.

Besides, the 600cc inline-4 is the bike of choice for many an 18 year old, who buys one fifth-hand, only been laid down a couple times, hacksaws off the muffler, then rides around banging off the 16k rpm rev limiter.

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Do tell........

Yeah - and how many people here can ride an R6 to its limit on a track, to the point they would go significantly faster on an 1199R. Not many. It's ok to love the way the bike makes power (and I think most of us love Ducati power and torque), but 600s are a great track learning tool.

well, 600s have often been favored because they're lighter and nimbler than 1000s.

And, the 2015 Yamaha R6 weights 417lbs wet. So that's a significant 3lb weight savings over the Ducati 1299....

In the past on the track, I've wished for less weight. I've wished for better suspension. But there has never, ever been a moment where I felt I had "too much" power available.

Now that I've finally got my lightweight sportbike with Ohlins, I'm very thankful that it also has one hell of a motor.

There is alot more that goes into making a bike feel/handle light other than curb weight. A Liter bike will never feel like a 600, regardless of what the scales say.

Personally, i think it is comical when people "talk down" to/about 600's or 600 riders. There is no telling how many times i have stopped somewhere (street riding) and somebody is like "is that a 1000?" and when i say it is a 600 they are like "oh", as if they are disappointed. .... like that usually only happens in America. In many other countries riders start on a 125 and a 600 is considered big. But of course in America, bigger is always better...even though 99.9% of riders can't ride within 50% of a 600's capabilities.

There is something to be said for riding a "slow" bike fast, rather than riding a fast bike slow. I can't count how many times I have lapped guys at track days while im on a 600. But many of those are the same guys that think they need a Liter bike because a 600 is too slow for them or because a 600 isnt as fun.

I have ridden tons of bikes, and none of them were more fun than my R6 Superbike with Marchesini wheels, loads of Titanium, Brembo braking system and with a motor that revs to a true 16,500rpm while putting a legit 142hp to the rear wheel.

I have had the most fun riding on a air cooled Ducati it didn't make it the best bike out there only a fun bike that I enjoyed riding .
The comparisons between bikes and what is best is what is actually comical .

Different bikes have different feels and characteristics that one individual will prefer over another . There is not a ...... bike out there go out and enjoy what floats your boat if it isn't do something about it and get something you can enjoy .
I like Ducatis . I enjoy riding them I enjoy working on them they give me a stiffy .
If I was a little slower because I was riding a Ducati is fine with me at least Im riding what I enjoy riding . Finding time to ride bikes is hard enough might as well be on something that you like .

In all honesty, some of the most fun I have ever had (and still have) is riding my Grom.

I smile and laugh my ... off the whole time.

Chaotic said:

In all honesty, the most fun I have ever had (and still have) is riding my Grom.

I smile and laugh my ... off the whole time.

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Exactly . We don't have them here but certainly see the attraction .

+1 with Wilkson

I rode many bikes on track and road, ( I turned 54 this jan ) I had a lot of fun with TZ 250, 400KH , 600's are fun to ride too.
But Duc's are different, I like riding the twin from Borgo, it delivers power and torque all the way. They're the bike I prefer over these years. Even though I'm not the fastest nor the best with it.

Forza

Chaotic said:

There is alot more that goes into making a bike feel/handle light other than curb weight. A Liter bike will never feel like a 600, regardless of what the scales say.

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Bigger pistons = more inertia

My father has a small collection of two strokes and was good enough to loan me a Honda NSR 400 while my bike was off the road a couple of years back.

After getting used to the kick start etc. it was really good fun, cheesey grin, stupid power curve (well, more like an on/off switch to be honest!) and brakes that didn't brake....... ever. How much more do you want?!?!

Still trying to persuade him to let me have a go on his Suzuki RG 500, but that's his pride and joy.

I've always felt that the ultimate track bike would be the Aprilia RS250. I owned one for a few months when I was beginning to ride (thinking 250 would be a good intermediate step). I was in way over my head, simply put.

After spending years on 200hp bikes, I think I'm ready for another crack at that machine

kismetcapitan said:

I've always felt that the ultimate track bike would be the Aprilia RS250. I owned one for a few months when I was beginning to ride (thinking 250 would be a good intermediate step). I was in way over my head, simply put.

After spending years on 200hp bikes, I think I'm ready for another crack at that machine

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I have the last Aprilia RS250 imported into South Africa. It is already over 300 cc and I plan to boost it to 400 cc where after it will become my track bike.

No ....... way am I leaving home with a bike I KNOW I'm going to have to kick or run/bump start. I've seen guys pushing theor .... through the paddock in full leathers in 105deg trying to get it started.

.... that.

If my battery dies or something, gotta do what I gotta do. But intentionally, no.

Chaotic said:

No ....... way am I leaving home with a bike I KNOW I'm going to have to kick or run/bump start. I've seen guys pushing theor .... through the paddock in full leathers in 105deg trying to get it started.

.... that.

If my battery dies or something, gotta do what I gotta do. But intentionally, no.

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Lies. You would totally do it if you could find one of these with a remote control and a digital display

Ok, that might be a different story.

wilkson said:

That's a broad statement . To me a 600 is the last thing I want to be riding .

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Why would you say that? Our local track is short and twisty. I actually have more fun on that track with my R6 than my 1098.

kismetcapitan said:

agreed. Ducati riders tend to like torque, and the idea of being on a buzzy whining machine with a whopping 40 lb/ft torque PEAK, I'd rather walk.

Besides, the 600cc inline-4 is the bike of choice for many an 18 year old, who buys one fifth-hand, only been laid down a couple times, hacksaws off the muffler, then rides around banging off the 16k rpm rev limiter.

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I find on the track, torque doesnt matter as much. I don't feel like anything is lacking when I have the R6 out there. On the street, I agree torque is great.

BTW your post has far too many generalizations to be taken seriously.

love2ride said:

Why would you say that? Our local track is short and twisty. I actually have more fun on that track with my R6 than my 1098.

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That's great . I was talking about me and I forgot about you . Sorry next time I talk about what I like I will check with myself .