Ducati breaks 17 YEAR harley winning streak...

[Hellbat]

With a production engine from their hypermotard.

http://www.gizmag.com/ducati-hypermotard-1100evo-powered-flat-tracker/15017/

[Jason1212]

My paint and body teacher in high school was big into flat track racing. Like the reader that posted the comments about Harley lobbying the AMA he would often complain about them doing that. His point was that racing Harley's is expensive and they were pushing the more affordable manufacturers out. Still aside from some moderate success in the NHRA pro-stock bike division flat track is the only arena HD has had success.

[Hellbat]

Yeah, it's kind of a good ol' boy sport and Harley has owned it by default. It's nice to see another manufacturer willing to take a crack at it just to mix things up a bit. Lets face it, the sport hasn't seen mch advancement since the 1970's. I wouldn't be shocked to see them push back with "pushrod valves only" position to elimate any non-dark ages manufacturer.

[DRM]

Go desmo!!!

[Nightbat]

Ironic, Ducati being the european version of harley in the reliability dept.

[Davey]

yaay for ducati!!!

and yeah.. but, if they'd invest more time into actually BUILDING them properly, they'd be
A: more expencive (KTM money), and
B: What would you be doing during the time when you're trying to fix it at the side of the road? .. what? riding? .. you elitist! lol


still, i'd kill to get my hands on the new 796 Monster ... uhhhh... love that bike!

[DRM]

Nightbat,

Not sure if you own a Ducati or are going off of second-hand intel, but I have never had a single issue with my 749. Yeah the valve alignments are a PITA, but it's not a deal breaker and it's one of the trade offs for the desmodromic valves.

[Hellbat]

Yeah, I have a couple friends that have owned multiple Ducatis and they've never had serious issues with them, but both of them are the types that are sticklers for periodic maintenance.