Regarding Ducatis being slower than Jap bikes, my buddy says that he outdragged CB750s all the time with his '74 750S.
CW and others mocked the under engine muffler as "Pep Boys" at the time.
Regarding stoppies, with my '07 12S, I was surprised three times, braked hard and it seemed like lifted my back wheel 3 ft high. Probably more like 3 in, though.