Los Superbikes Vs. La Super-Rica
The saying "When it rains, it pours" couldn't be more apropos for the sportbike world in 2007. With five all-new models from the Big Four and Ducati, you could call it an embarrassment of riches. We called it a darn good reason to go for a ride, preferably to some worthwhile destination.
"Why not see if the rumors about La Super-Rica having the best Mexican food in California are true?" asked my wife, Susie. Why not, indeed? Mexican food, after all, is near-religious fare here in SoCal-just as sportbikes on Racer Road have been since the early '70s when Yamaha RD350s ruled Mulholland Highway. Plus, the serpentine back roads between L.A. and Santa Barbara are epic and would provide a perfect stage for what are easily the most devastatingly capable hard-core sportbikes ever assembled.
And so we found ourselves-one staffer, one ex-staffer and los tres amigos, all of differing tastes, talents and temperaments-rumbling from the Motorcyclist garage one morning on our way to the wood-rasp pavement of Frazier Park and points north. But first we endured heavy traffic, and 100-odd miles of freeway had us scribbling furious notes at our first fuel stop.
"These things, the literbikes especially, are like caged cheetahs on the freeway," I wrote. "They can't wait to stretch their legs."
A comfort-based pecking order sent the Ducati to the back. Its exhaust heat, relatively hard and high seat and stretched reach to the low bars make it the least comfy despite reasonably compliant suspension and throbby, high-amplitude/low-frequency engine vibes. Ducati returned to more of a 916/996/998-flavored riding position with the 1098, and it shows.
"The Duc's the least comfy," wrote ex-staffer Dexter Ford, "and the mirrors are useless. Riding position is more 'wristy' than the others, and instruments are hard to see in the shade. But the motor has a great growl, and no complaints with vibes."
"Typical Ducati," wrote roadracer and industry veteran Jim O'Connor. "[It's] a long reach to the bars, and the seat has some pressure points. The 1098 is narrow and I like that. The seat's high, which puts pressure on my wrists; my right thumb went numb."
On the opposite end of the comfort/livability spectrum was the CBR, which garnered positive comments from everyone.
"Everything works," read my notes. "Smooth engine, light steering and crisp controls. Higher bars and softer seat are a huge plus."
"Highly compliant suspension with very little vibration," added O'Connor. Ergos are awesome, with a great seat, well-placed bars and lower pegs. Not much wind protection, though."
"The CBR's suspension is compliant even on uneven freeway chop," wrote Jim Soldera, an automotive consultant with years of motorcycling experience and a BMW R1200GS in his garage. "No other bike was as composed here."