03-05-12, 07:56 AM
When the ducati first came out it had a tremendous top speed advantage. Stoner won many races simply by overtaking everyone down the main straight. I still recall the duke leaving all other bikes standing.It never was a great bike in corners.
Todays duke is still fast in a straight line, but the honda is still quicker...but handles so much better in the corners. The M1 looks to be the best of all for handling.But not so quick at top end.
Take a look at hayden cornering in last sundays moto GP, the thing did not want to turn...it wasnt long before his early advantage was taken away by other bikes. It may have been tyre wear , but induced by poor steering.The duke is great in wet conditions cos the lap times are way lower, and its steering is in the zone...both rossi and hayden enjoyed being more at the top of the board...but as the track dries, lap times tumble, the duke is pushed out of its zone.Look at it logically...hayden has been riding it for years ...he knows it inside out , yet still has had little success.He is an ex world champion...to me the issue is plain. Its a shite bike for this level of racing, and even with all the rush development still dont cut the mustard.
Todays duke is still fast in a straight line, but the honda is still quicker...but handles so much better in the corners. The M1 looks to be the best of all for handling.But not so quick at top end.
Take a look at hayden cornering in last sundays moto GP, the thing did not want to turn...it wasnt long before his early advantage was taken away by other bikes. It may have been tyre wear , but induced by poor steering.The duke is great in wet conditions cos the lap times are way lower, and its steering is in the zone...both rossi and hayden enjoyed being more at the top of the board...but as the track dries, lap times tumble, the duke is pushed out of its zone.Look at it logically...hayden has been riding it for years ...he knows it inside out , yet still has had little success.He is an ex world champion...to me the issue is plain. Its a shite bike for this level of racing, and even with all the rush development still dont cut the mustard.