A V4 work of art -- Ducati's 2004 MotoGP bike

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab So things are going to be real interesting this year in MotoGP. With rossi gone to Yamaha and the Duc going so well, Honda must surely be sweating billets this year? :-P

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04february04_ducati_motogp.htm

I sure would like to hear this thing in person. Even better I would like to ride it :twisted:

Adios,

[scratch]

...sweating billets...?



Now THAT would be a trick! :mrgreen:

For us mere mortals, I'm guessing that a ride on the GP Duc (or any of the other GP bikes) would be akin to strapping yourself onto a shoulder-launched missile. The factory riders have a rare natural talent combined with years of racing experience that allows them to exert a certain amount of control over those bikes. They take something that has the potential for violent disaster and turn it into moto-ballet...

... most of the time! :eek: :wink:

[Tourmeister]

:tab There is a cool article in the current Cycle World where one of the writes gets some time on the WSB Duc and then follows that up with time on the MotoGP Duc. He has the same opinion about the sheer power and ability of the bikes. He spent quite a bit of time trying to get in better shape and tweking his abilities so that he could take better advantage of the bikes during his brief rides. I imagine that IF I could successfully complete a lap or two without killing myself, I would have to spend a good deal of time in the pit waiting for my heartbeat to come back down out of the stratosphere so I would not black out every time I tried to stand up :-P

Adios,

[buck000]

Yup, I read that, I think it was Nick Ienatsch, from Spencer's riding school. He's probably got more riding skill left over in one of his filthy old riding leathers than I'll ever have...sigh...I GOTTA hit a track day... :-D