well, I agree its no slouch, (hanging with more modern Vtwins I'm not so sure about). But my point was in the 8 year cycle it wouldn't have taken much for honda to borrow some suspension parts from some other models, some brakes, maybe 10+ more horsepower and yet still retain the same character of the bike. On the other hand it is a lot of fun to tinker around on them and do it ourselves.

 

My point is that different is good, I just love odd things and BMW does good in this department, as for the VTR it an Honda oddball, the engine is just an awesome piece, but with their price tags, they had to cut somewhere, so they came with carbs, 80's forks, saved on seat foam, tank sheetmetal, electrical components. But I still love my bike and would not trade it for any other, except the R1200S. but I ain't fork this much money.

 

Here's the new Xmoto:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/20...oto_spec_s.jpg

Here's the Duke:
http://re3.mm-a7.yimg.com/image/3707727331

Of course the Duke looks much better.

 

I think we all agree on what you are saying Cliby (by the way what does that mean?). The sad thing is what we are all describing is the Aprilia Tuono or even the SV1000. I for one know it is still me that is the limiting factor not the bike in performance. When I can honestly say the bike is holding me back then I will look to better equipment.

 

+1

 

I agree. unless we are talking superbikes, I don't think bikes have gotten all that much better. fuel injected tho they may be. some of the current street oriented sportbikes still haven't surpassed the superhawk. (ie.SV1000) and within the group that the hawk belongs, ( z1000, 919, vfr, monsters, duc supersports, tuono, sv1000, speed triple) I don't see any major advantages. sure , maybe a few have higher hp numbers, (but not that much higher)or better suspension, (but not always much better) but that's about it. and with the exception of the k1200R/S, bmw still can't hang. I like the look of the 800. I even sat on one at the cycleworld show. but its no hawk. its a beast. the hawk is slim. and it doesn't have the hp to make it move like the hawk moves. nope. I am entirely open to the idea of a street focused bike coming out that just wins out against the hawk on all counts. but I haven't seen it yet. it says something about all of us that we have placed our loyalty in a bike that's almost 10 years old and we are justified in doing it.

 

I would just be about time that Honda update our bike, I wonder if there is something on the drawing board...
..and agreed, nothing runs like a SH.

 

have to agree with you there. and while that are lots more modern bikes, none of them have been tempting enough for me to make the leap. I guess its all about technophilia, or whatever it is that makes us like progress. I know I couldn't give up the vtwin midrange. cliby is just my name.

 

There was a response from a reader in motorcylist a few issues back, he had felt that the new Ducati 1098 was a blatent copy of the Yamaha R1. Whaa Whaaa Whhaaaat??? How soon we forget. When the R1 was released in 98', It was an outright shame how much it looked like a Ducati 916, (oh so humbley of me). The Fregin' 2005 R1 might as well be a japanese mirror held up to the 916.


Anyone think the Shawk looks like a 1991 Ducati 900ss.....Huuuummm??

So who really does lead the way for the others to follow?

1 vote for Italy, plus I adore Alpinestars products.
VINO!

Damn, the last pic is a 851, sooo soooo sooorrrryyy, wanted a 900ss in that spot

 

Yeah with all that wine the Italians really gets lots of inspiration. Hickup, ask me how I know ??

 

I do love a good Zin