Superbike smackdown 2012 Track

I have a base..in another forum, I posed a question about swapping the sachs rear for an Ohlins TTX 36 mk II and maybe a cartridge kit for forks. Rich at Austin said that the TT guys were having handling issues while racing on rough street courses. Are they using an S model with the electronic suspension like all the reviewers are? Seems like problems getting the setups right using electronics are the common thread...
Btw..so far I like the sachs and marzocchi suspensions. The ohlins bits mentioned earlier are still an option.

^^^Yes, they were/are using an S.

jjmontesanto said:

^^^Yes, they were/are using an S.

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So does this mean that all tha electronic damping I was excited about is crap and the standard one actually handles better?

lsberrios1 said:

So does this mean that all tha electronic damping I was excited about is crap and the standard one actually handles better?

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I wouldn't say that! Rich from Austin Racing was just saying that they were having a hard time dialing it in for fast, bumpy road conditions (in England). He also mentioned that though teams that are racing are having a hard time dialing in also.

SteveNunez said:

My point exactly.....the early reviews "GLOWED" with descriptions of "amazing" handling....only now to have magazine reviews spew talk of "handling problems".....I guess when Ducati is rolling out the big events like press intro track days, you don't want the be the journalist who tells Ducati they have a dud on their hands!
(I'm sure negative press would't be good for future advertising in your magazine- but the street cred would be spectacular!)

I really wish ONE at least ONE reviewer would have mentioned handling issues- I would have immense respect for a reviewer saying that while on a new model intro and have it backed up later by the other magazines.....what a moment to shine to the world wide audience of readers and viewers!

There's not a single review anywhere that I've been able to find, be-it print or video where the 1199 comes out on top of the open-class of sport bikes- not a single one!!!!!

Like the song says, "Don't believe the hype!"
(and yes I own one and do like it- but it's not leagues better than the 1198 it replaces despite the "Checkmate" campaign Ducati released.....it's a side-step upgrade with certain aspects worse!

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This is why I cancelled my order after an extensive test ride. I'm glad I waited and will hope for improvements in the '13 model.

Trinity, you are assuming Ducati will implement "improvements" which they may not do seeing as to how they released the most advanced sport bike on Earth~ Checkmate buddy!

My biggest gripe is how does the lightest, most powerful sport bike (according to Ducati) get beat via lap times via various testers by bikes with lesser HP and more weight---- this is my biggest gripe!!!!

195HP and lightest open class sport bike should post the best lap times ever seen by a production sport bike, yet the 1199 falls mid-pack during track testing.......something's not right!

(I hope I'm not coming across as overly critical, just somewhat confused customer that thought this would be the best sport bike and track day bike produced, yet this is not proving to be the case!)

The other concern that I have is that even if Ducati can implement improvements in later model years, it's not going to do me (or fellow 2012 MY owners) much good, unless we get the new model.

I suppose that is the risk of being an early adopter, but maybe there will be some accessible solutions...

soonernation said:

i didn't buy my bike based on reviews or the "checkmate" ad campaign. I bought it because it is more bike than i will ever fully use, it's the best looking machine on the road and it's a ducati. I smile every time i start it up and that's what matters.

I don't even read the reviews as i have performed my own review and it is #1.

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+1 :d

SteveNunez said:

Trinity, you are assuming Ducati will implement "improvements" which they may not do seeing as to how they released the most advanced sport bike on Earth~ Checkmate buddy!

My biggest gripe is how does the lightest, most powerful sport bike (according to Ducati) get beat via lap times via various testers by bikes with lesser HP and more weight---- this is my biggest gripe!!!!

195HP and lightest open class sport bike should post the best lap times ever seen by a production sport bike, yet the 1199 falls mid-pack during track testing.......something's not right!

(I hope I'm not coming across as overly critical, just somewhat confused customer that thought this would be the best sport bike and track day bike produced, yet this is not proving to be the case!)

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I agree but it does (lap slower) and I've figured TBH who cares. On any bike on any track I am likely within 10ths of the same performance / lap time - I never keep lap times so this is my subjective opinion of my lacking skills compared to others. I am a big guy and experienced trackday rider (plus 10 yrs) and I prefer to ride 1000s. I don't have the skillset to ride them to the nth degree and likely am faster on a 600 overall but while I loved my CBR600RR I knew I would never buy another. Even though it beat my RC51 hands down, I preferred the big twin to the little I4.

Same thing here, the bhp and the weight stopped being a factor after the 999 and RC51 when it all was all more than I needed. I still believe the hp wars should have stopped back when the ZX10R topped 150. There's simply no where to use it. Think lap times at most tracks, 600s are right there.

Looking at the current crop of superbikes and thinking which will be my next track bike, I cringed when I saw the new bhp numbers. TBH I run my S1RR in rain mode nearly all the time, I just don't need more or less in terms of weight. The Ducati etal would have sold me with 150 bhp and 916 weight if they could have got away with it.

I've stopped looking at that part of the spec sheet, focusing more on the other tech bits. That is the stuff that really seems to matter because you can use it at any time. The cool suspension and lack of a chassis alone are the focal points for me.

This is an amazing bike, seriously, please don't any of these 'wait till 2013' boys put you off....this is an incredible ride bar none! I've been riding for 22 years and I've owned all sorts and this is a sublime ride, transcending the normal human-bike interface you almost feel mentally connected to the bike at speed. Rolling on and off the gas in 4th at speed on a windings road is a seminal experience!