| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketman |
Taken last month whilst out riding.  Rocket | ||
| Sleez |
cool...??? | ||
| Rocketman |
After the Flood!.................. Rocket finally decided to give the 910 Brutale a good thrashing so of it was to Lincoln. Lincolnshire is a great bike riding county as it presents many many great biking roads with little traffic. It is no surprise that Lincolnshire has the highest death rate amongst any motoring group either, but we won't go there. You get the picture. The county is also a bit of a biking mecca because Cadwell Park race track lies in the heart of it, and it was from Lincoln itself, a beautiful Cathedral town steeped in ancient history, where Italia Moto http://www.italiamoto.co.uk/ are based that I and a friend took out the Brutale and the 1098S for a long burn whilst they serviced my friends 500 mile from new Hypermoto. Well, after having ridden the 750 Brutale I loved the way you could dance through the gears and keep it screaming on the boil, but felt its long winded puff to top speed was a bit disappointing. But it was a 750 after all, and that is why I was so looking forward to the 910. What a let down then. Don't get me wrong. It is a superb handling bike. Probably the best handling bike in the world and I'm not exaggerating. It is on rails. Corners like a knife through butter. Goes exactly where you ask it, and it does all this without fuss, drama, or protest. It is a doddle to ride at any speed. It is also so tractable that you can be in 6th gear at 20mph and just wind the throttle on to however fast it will go. I reved the nuts off it in top and saw 136 indicated, but it felt much faster and without doubt will be. Over 150 I think they test them to. But here's a thing. Even on a very twisty road you seldom need to be in any gear less than 5th. If you are you are for not very long before you're grabbing another gear, it rises that fast. Consequently it is hard to enjoy the thrills of dancing through the gears like on the 750. But worse still, it almost encourages you never to shift down if you're really thrashing it, almost as if it might as well be like a fast car with auto transmission. Worse part is, it's boring after a while. There's nothing really involving about thrashing it hard as the 910 takes a thrashing with such ease. It doesn't even vibrate like the 1000F4. So yes I was not in the least smitten by the 910 despite its seemingly perfect handling and yes a very quick bike. So what of the 1098? Well here's a thing. It will appeal to newcomers to Ducati who've previously owned rice rockets. It will appeal to many who've owned Ducati but found them too race focused in the past. This is a comfortable, for an Italian race rep, bike that is easy to ride and offers a somewhat engaging handling experience, but I have a theory on why those French Buells are in some part beating the 1098 on track. It is a very very fast bike for a V twin and it will hit 140mph in between the twisty bits with little effort, but riding it beyond 140mph and getting the best out of it, I'd wager that's not something the average racer can do. The motor is awesome and is the best part of the bike without doubt, but it feels to me like it will take a real pro to exploit what the motor can really do. That's to take nothing away from the whole package. It just feels to me like it's been refined to accommodate the sort of road riding that an average Ducati owner might expect when they want to thrash it, so it's like they concentrated hard on making a bike easy to work with at low to high speed, and one that handles great at these speeds. But I can't help feel that there's some hidden magic in there that only a race track and a pro will ever exploit. I myself would not want one though. I've a 916 with some nice aftermarket extras that make it even more race focused than the average 916, if there is such a thing, and it is the 916 that feels raw and alive and it makes you want to throw it around and man handle it. The 1098 is much much less intimidating so will appeal to the more homogenised generation of biker, but despite handling and beating a 916 it does not have the magic that every time you step off the 916 from a fast dice across country with friends you feel like you just won the WSB crown. I guess Ducati can't build that into the 1098 and when they did so with the 916 genre it was totally by 'accident'. The 1098 offers no such surprise sadly. It's a pussycat compared to the original and best. So here's a thing. The best bike I rode that day was my S1W. I kid you not. You wouldn't believe me if I told you the 1098 power deliver felt similar to that of my Buell, but it did. Sure it had more power and spun up faster and higher, but that got me excited in thinking, hang about here, why don't I make my Buell a little more powerful after all. So that's what I'm going to do. I tell you, riding the 910 felt like I was sitting in an upright armchair. An S1W has a perfect riding position with a slightly forward lean with arms a little out stretched. It takes rewarding effort to ride one hard and fast and though I've been a little out of focus in recent times I've always known the rawness of the S1W is what really really sets my brain on fire. With that in mind I want more raw power!  Rocket | ||
| Reepicheep |
Good post Rocket. So, how long will it take you to mount a hopped up 1125 R engine in that S1 chassis? I suspect that'd do. If not, give Pammy a call and get some of her left over "not fast enough for me" parts off the yellow X1. Then you could kill the Ducati's in the straights.  | ||
| S1eric |
I hear ya. The S1 is still my favorite Buell. Not the most comfortable, Or the fastest bike I have ever owned. But it sure is a raw beast. Just the basics. And more power can easily be found. Simple bikes to work on. You don`t have to worry about sensors or ECM maps once you build up your motor. Go out and hot rod that S1. S1Eric | ||
| Blake |
Thanks for the great ride report! The wrapped header pipes on your S1 look fantastic! Add a nice Penske or Works exposed spring rear shock and your S1 will be too close to perfect. | ||
| Thespive |
Wow Rocket, that is the best post you have ever written! Welcome back. Have you and BuelGrrrl been drinking from the same fountain?  --Sean | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Rocket, Good to see you back, just yesterday I saw a very old Allard driving on Bell Rd. Glendale AZ. I thought of your posts on ancient British cars. BTW I gave your V8 bike five stars! | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
nuthin better than real world reporting...might be a future in that fer ya.... | ||
| Glitch |
Rocket! Hey man, I'm sure glad to see the sexiest S1 is still in your stable. Nice writing! Good to have you back. Now, when you coming over here to rip the twisties with me? | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Well written post, thank you. I voted for the bike you had. Five stars cause I didnt think anyone was brave enough to ride it! LOL I would, ship it to me. I lust for your S1 too. Borrow it? PLEASE? Buddy? Huh? (Message edited by wile_ecoyote on September 17, 2007) | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Good report Sean and it's always good to see pics of your S1 | ||
| M2nc |
Hey Rocket - Cool report and cool pics. Congrats on making Cycleworld with the S1. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
seems like rocket could be one hell of a moto-journalist. i felt like i was riding the bikes through his words. not many writers can pull you into their world like that, very cool! how about march badness for rocket! come see some of the best roads in the usa! | ||
| Sshbsn |
Yep, welcome back Rocket! | ||
| Ulywife |
Hey Rocket! | ||
| Rocketman |
 I'm ahead of you Reep. Pammy already contacted. Wes is pondering over the next move. XB heads and big bore is where I'm going I believe. As for exposed spring shocks, well there are a few modifications I still haven't got to do yet, so yes, the rear shock is a possibility. Wave rotors and ISR levers etc, are high on my list. To be honest everything left to do is just cosmetic really, which is why I can concentrate on higher horse power. Doing so will also solve the infrequent breather puking if the quest for more HP comes from XB heads. As for the V8 monster. Thanks for the 5 stars. There has been a lot of votes on some bikes by their owners garnering votes from clubs and forums they're associated with. I know Grumpy put up a thread here as he rang me and told me he would. I asked him to be mindful of me not wanting to influence my score dramatically, though I have no problem with a few people helping out. I believe their votes would be genuine anyway if they knew the competition was on. Anyway, I've spoke with MCN about the vote rigging that appears to be taking place, mainly because there are some that are casting 1 star votes into the hundreds on individual bikes, thus lowering that bikes overall score. MCN are looking into this. They also said they realised that some bikes would receive more votes, presumably 5 star, because of the bikes owners association to clubs and forums. What's happening though is the high volume of traffic of those viewing and voting will level out the numbers in the long run. I'm happy to let my bike speak for itself, but given the more recent revelations of skulduggery going on I now have no problem touting for votes, so feel free to fire away if you fancy it. If you read the comments below the competition pic, I've posted up a brief history of how the bike was built and my own involvement in the project. Thank you for the rowdy welcome back. In the words of Jack Nicholson right at the end of Terms of Endearment, "I almost made it". Rocket | ||
| Rick_a |
Nice write up. So what's the plan? An 88" monster? | ||
| Rocketman |
Could be Rick. Don't forget this is a 100+ RWHP motor already, and the combination of parts inside her I believe I chose and configured well. Yes it may be slightly 'old school' by today's 120 RWHP attainable, but I was smart enough to put the S&S crank and rods in there. So I have a great solid foundation to build a more powerful top end on already. Doing so shouldn't require too much effort outside of modifying the top end. Thing is, with the motor the way it is now it has a very linear power delivery from bottom to top. I've always enjoyed the way it cracks off the throttle. The instant response gives a good feeling with a nice wrenching of the arms sensation. I wasn't kidding when I said I recognised this similar to my Buell sensation from the 1098S, but man does that 1098S burn a fire. Yes the Ducati really does feel like it's pushing your eyeballs back when you crack the throttle wide open and hold it there, and even though this sensation felt 5 times more powerful, the power delivery still felt to me instantly recognisable to that of my Buell. Maybe I'm just mad, but riding those two bikes that day really made me appreciate my Buell had something special. Something I'd maybe got so use to. Yes it can't out handle these two bikes (I thought the 910 was unbelievably easy to ride and would beat the 1098 hands down) but neither of them had that big powerful dirt bike feel about them where you can simply chuck, wrench and man handle the damn thing to pleasuredom. The Buell is an engaging and very rewarding ride when you kick its head in. The 910 felt like a 2 wheeled video game you always win, and the Ducati felt like a 916 had mated with an R1, thus diluting the bloodline forever yet giving it warp speed at the same time. Phew. Did someone mention 88?  Rocket | ||
| Glitch |
simply chuck, wrench and man handle the damn thing to pleasuredom. I suddenly feel the need to go home and give the wife a big ol ..... hug  | ||
| Pammy |
You don't need 88" to get what you want. Although, I am taking mine to 100" for reasons beyond my control ;o). Beautiful post, my friend. I'll get back to tugging on Wes' shirt tails until he gives me an answer for you. Glad to have you back.  | ||
| Ebear |
COOL Shaun...nice to hear your report and your Enthusiasm!!!  | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Hey Rocket, glad to see you back, with or without the S1. Remember your post on the Ducati Hypermotard some time ago? I got to test ride one a couple of weeks ago. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/305865.html?1189997045 | ||
| Rick_a |
Well put! | ||
| Rocketman |
Thank you all for the warm reception. It's been a wonderful summer, once it stopped raining. I've had some great rides out in recent weeks. The last Bank Holiday weekend in August saw me riding some real harsh tarmac across the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors. Single track narrow as a car 1 in 3 inclines and declines. Unsighted hairpins with all manner of cambers, gradients and pot holes. These are the demands of Askrigg Fell. A bleak and seldom used route save for the odd sheep farmer or weekend fell walker, you are alone and alive where nothing better than the brawny Buell will suffice. Part of the S1W's huge appeal has always been its massive ego. Taking in roads like those across Buttertubs Pass and Askrigg as well as many similar in the same day, and seeing 270 hard earned miles on the odo when you get home certainly have your two wheeled ego brimming as big as the hairy Buells. I was fair knackered when I got home that Bank Holiday Sunday. So much so I got the Buell out on the Monday too and ripped up another few miles to add the tally to nearly 500 miles of rough up and down dale extreme tarmac covered. It just had to be done. If the euphoria of cracking the throttle open along side the sheer drops at the side of Askrigg can be bettered without going to 88 inches, then Pammy darling, I'm butter in your hands. Melt me baby xx Rocket | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Oh My God! Welcome Back! And never leave again! Those were some of the greatest posts I've ever read! Please sir.... may I have another? | ||
| Rocketman |
Who mentioned Hypermotard? Well I've come up with a theory about dicing with them after chasing my mate down on his several times over a good few miles on those long hot sunny British summer days. Not that many then, lol. So here's the thing. Don't let a Hypermotard get more than 20 bike lengths ahead of you, because if you do you'll never be able to keep up with it. It's not that it's a blisteringly fast or rapid two wheeled vehicle when placed next to a Buell. In fact they're probably a great match for real road riding. It's not that it's sumptuous handling that allows it to turn on a sixpence will out do your keen handling Buell in the corners. It isn't even the Hypers anorexic body mass that has us Buellers craving its flat tummy and big twin norks. Fact is, despite that positively looking anorexic figure the darn thing's that wide when viewed from behind that it suddenly gets to a distance in front of you when it appears to fill the width of the road. Your line of sight is blocked. You cannot see around it. Your road math is sent all to pot. You simply cannot read the road ahead. Cornering takes on a whole new meaning. Having to follow telegraph wires and tree lines, the very things that once offered clues as to your next move, now become the only thing you can rely on, as the tarmac ribbon has now become invisible to all that follow the Duc with the big ears. Oh no, one simply cannot risk falling behind when dicing the dirty Duc coz if you do you'll never make up the distance once that thing steals the road, balls up your lines and blights your vision! Whilst this may be an advantage to the dirt bag Duc, one thing is clear that the Hyper owner really isn't aware of. How daft they look from behind perched upon that dirt ball! All Hyper owners must take up the position of the human bar fly when piloting these Italian style icons. So yeah, Ducati might well have pulled of the style guru of the two wheeled world for the latter part of this decade, but the sales brochure didn't carry a health warning stating how ridiculous you'd look from your rear whilst piloting one of these trend setters. See, I knew there was a price to pay. Gimme my mean S1W any day. She fits my bumps and curves so flatteringly I could never be embarrassed to be seen with such a beauty despite my disfigured and worn out once great looks. By the way, my mate really really rates the Hypermotard. Sez it's very much like riding a more powerful version of his KTM 640 Duke. High praise from him considering he's owned just about every superbike going since the SP1 to the GSXR K7, but sold them all. He just recently parted with his Monster S4R too. But he has never been tempted in four years to part with his beloved KTM. Not even when he test rode the Super Duke which he found disappointing. But that was then. Now it seems the Hypermotard might just be putting his beloved KTM on the back burner. Cheap KTM anyone? Rocket | ||
| Blake |
I've gotta think about that for a while. Not sure it is sinking in as intended. | ||
| Rocketman |
It will, the first time you get stuck behind one! Blake, thanks for you know what  Rocket | ||
| Road_thing |
What's a "nork"? rt | ||
| Mikej |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nork | ||
| Freezerburn |
Norks- my new favorite word. | ||
| Rocketman |
What's a "nork"? I don't know, but I know what norks are  Rocket | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
Man! Check out the North Koreans on that babe! HellBuelly J |
