Class Of '07 - Cover Story
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Off The Record
Karma is a bitch. Just weeks after writing my "Crash Test Dummy" editorial, I unceremoniously binned our Ducati 1098. Wicked-fast with a race-ready chassis, the Duc obviously doesn't suffer fools. Yamaha's YZF-R1 required set-up attention, and its hairball motor made it a handful. More neutral handling and flawless throttle response meant the Suzuki GSX-R1000 better suited my particular skill set. The Kawasaki ZX-6R corners like a 250cc GP bike (good), but accelerates like one, too (not good). The Honda CBR600RR powers up more like a 750 and remained utterly composed no matter what inputs I threw at it. Quick, confident and unwaveringly predictable, it's everything I want a sportbike to be.Aaron frank
Age: 32
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 150 lb.
Inseam: 31 in. | 
Every track has one section that scares the crap out of you. At Thunderhill, that's Turn 8. The GSX-R1000 is mega-powerful and surprisingly light on its feet, but I struggled to find traction. The Ninja ZX-6R was well-balanced, but the position was awkward for my size, and the narrow powerband made riding it a chore. The CBR600RR never put a wheel wrong. The R1 had motor and just enough suspension to access the power. But aboard the 1098, I saw 127 mph flash across the speedo in Turn 8-10 mph faster than the best of the others. They must close the factory doors in Bologna every night by waving a checkered flag.Eric Gulbransen
Age: 41
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 192 lb.
Inseam: 34 in. | 
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. | 
This makes no sense, but as any veteran Motorcyclist reader can attest, that's never stopped me before. The R1 is too much. The GSX-R1000 is way too much. The Ducati? Stunning looks and great, usable power, but the ergonomics had me humming, "Don't be cruel..." The Honda is the better, more versatile 600-which is, of course, why I like the Kawasaki. I love its clean looks and wailing Formula-1 motor, and everything else is close enough. At one point I said to myself, "Ford, you are wringing this thing's neck," then looked down to see the tach needle sweeping past 10,000. Only 6500 rpm to go... Dexter Ford
AGE: 53
Height: 6'
Weight: 240 lb.
INSEAM: 32' in. | |
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