2011 Ducati 1198SP | Price: $21,995
Dyno
Nothing beats a big-bore twin for bottom-end grunt. The Testastretta EVO makes more torque at 3750 rpm than the fours make anywhere on the tach. A low-rpm torque peak makes short-shifting necessary to keep the front end grounded.
Tech Spec
| Engine type: | l-c 90-deg. V-twin |
| Valve train: | DOHC, 8v desmodromic |
| Displacement: | 1198cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 106.0 x 67.9mm |
| Compression: | 12.7:1 |
| Fuel system: | EFI |
| Clutch: | Dry, multi-plate slipper |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Measured horsepower: | 152.9 bhp @ 9900 rpm |
| Measured torque: | 87.9 lb.-ft. @ 8300 rpm |
| Corrected ¼-mile: | na |
| Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph: | na |
| Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.): | 43/29/35 mpg |
| Frame: | Tubular-steel trellis with single-sided aluminum swingarm |
| Front suspension: | 43mm Öhlins fork with adjustable spring preload, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping |
| Rear suspension: | Öhlins shock with adjustable spring preload, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping |
| Front brake: | Four-piston Brembo radial Monobloc calipers, 330mm discs |
| Rear brake: | Two-piston Brembo caliper, 245mm disc |
| Front tire: | 120/70ZR-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Rear tire: | 190/55ZR-17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
| Rake/trail: | 24.5°/3.8 in. |
| Seat height: | 32.2 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 56.3 in. |
| Fuel capacity: | 4.1 gal. |
| Weight (tank full/empty): | 430/405 lbs. |
| Colors: | Red, black |
| Availability: | Now |
| Warranty: | 48 mo., unlimited mi. |
| Contact: | Ducati North America, Inc.
10443 Bandley Dr.
Cupertino, CA 95014
408.253.0499
www.ducatiusa.com |
Ergos
You could blindfold Mike Hailwood’s ghost and he’d still recognize the 1198’s riding position. Like every Ducati superbike, a high, flat seat and low, narrow clip-ons demand an uncompromising racer crouch. The roomy ergos fit taller riders best.
2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R | Price: $13,799
Dyno
The new Ninja disappointed at the dyno, lagging 18.3 bhp behind the similar-spec BMW. Kawasaki claims the ZX-10R was engineered for optimum midrange, but even there it’s outperformed by the S1000RR, which makes more torque at lower rpm.
Tech Spec
| Engine type: | l-c inline-four |
| Valve train: | DOHC, 16v |
| Displacement: | 998cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 76.0 x 55.0mm |
| Compression: | 13.0:1 |
| Fuel system: | EFI |
| Clutch: | Wet, multi-plate slipper |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Measured horsepower: | 159.5 bhp @ 11,600 rpm |
| Measured torque: | 74.1 lb.-ft. @ 10,800 rpm |
| Corrected ¼-mile: | 10.37 sec. @ 142.92 mph |
| Top-gear roll-on, 60-80 mph: | 2.76 sec. |
| Fuel mileage (high/low/avg.): | 44/29/36 mpg |
| Frame: | Aluminum twin-spar |
| Front suspension: | Showa Big Piston Fork with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Rear suspension: | Showa shock with adjustable spring preload, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping |
| Front brake: | Dual Tokico four-piston radial calipers, 310mm discs |
| Rear brake: | Tokico single-piston caliper, 220mm disc |
| Front tire: | 120/70ZR-17 Bridgestone Battlax BT016 |
| Rear tire: | 190/55ZR-17 Bridgestone Battlax BT016 |
| Rake/trail: | 25.0°/4.2 in. |
| Seat height: | 32.1 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 56.1 in. |
| Fuel capacity: | 4.5 gal. |
| Weight (tank full/empty): | 440/413 lbs. |
| Colors: | Green, black |
| Available: | Now |
| Warranty: | 12 mo., unlimited mi. |
| Contact: | Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA
9950 Jeronimo Rd.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.770.0400
www.kawasaki.com |
Ergos
Cynics might accuse Kawasaki of copying BMW. Seat-to-peg and seat-to-bar distances are almost identical, while the Ninja’s clip-ons are positioned barely a quarter-inch higher. Two-position-adjustable footpegs make it a tad more accommodating.