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Sportbike Roadtrip Mitch Boehm

The Ducati's new, easier-to-digest retail price makes this a tougher decision for some folks, but this remains a function-vs.-emotion deal. If functional perfection makes you swoon, you're talking Honda and Suzuki. The other three stop, go and corner like there's no tomorrow, but each is missing a piece or two of the do-it-all puzzle-unlike the CBR and GSX-R, which have all the pieces in place. But if emotional heft is primary, there's no contest: The 1098 wins easily, with more visual and visceral impact than any bike I can think of, except maybe the KTM 990 Superduke. Picking our 2007 Motorcycle of the Year is gonna be tough.Mitch Boehm<br />AGE: 44<br />HEIGHT: 6'<br />WEIGHT: 225 lb.<br />Inseam: 32 in.

Class Of '07 - Cover Story

The Ducati's new, easier-to-digest retail price makes this a tougher decision for some folks, but this remains a function-vs.-emotion deal. If functional perfection makes you swoon, you're talking Honda and Suzuki. The other three stop, go and corner like there's no tomorrow, but each is missing a piece or two of the do-it-all puzzle-unlike the CBR and GSX-R, which have all the pieces in place. But if emotional heft is primary, there's no contest: The 1098 wins easily, with more visual and visceral impact than any bike I can think of, except maybe the KTM 990 Superduke. Picking our 2007 Motorcycle of the Year is gonna be tough.Mitch Boehm
AGE: 44
HEIGHT: 6'
WEIGHT: 225 lb.
Inseam: 32 in. View Related Article