Moto-Brian

And Japanese 600s at $11-$12k is totally acceptable? The euro bikes are north of $13-$14k... Not sure why this is a sticker shock to some? Majority of our dealer base was excited that the price was essentially inline to where they had hoped and in line with the 848 Corse.

Basically, the smaller bikes can cut faster laps at certain tracks based on several reasons. First, corner speed. Higher for smaller bikes for obvious reasons. Second, power of the big bikes make them a lot of work. Wheelies are all neato, but when under power, a big bike is doing a wheelie and then has to be rolled out of the power to get the front down to brake for the next corner, you are losing time. It weighs 11 pounds more. That about 1-1/2 HP. You won't notice. Promise. As for details, I can tell you everything. But, the tank is steel, subframe steel, fairing stay aluminum, etc, etc. As far as cost goes, it's $1k more than the 675R which will be replaced soon also. As for racing, 750 class isn't dead. It exists everywhere it has for decades. That's a non issue. But, the amount of people that buy bikes for racing and even track days is so small, it's silly. It's a moot point. The MV is going to be an 800 next year. The trumpet will be also. The Duc is an 899 twin. All will be similar. Another way to look at it is that the Japanese really haven't revised their 600s for 5-7 years. The motor platform is really very much the same.

How can you not be impressed with a bike that will surely handle as well as the 1199, has more HP than the gsxr750 at the ground or a really well built AMA DSB bike, has the sex appeal of the panigale and will sound glorious? The weight is only 11 pounds heavier than the 1199 and few would even notice. What would make the bike impressive? I'm tellin ya, I think I could possibly cut faster laps on the 899 than 1199...

Well, we will have a closer look in a couple of weeks. But, as we were given the details, looks like quite a bit. Bodywork, tank, sub SHOULD BE (Gotta check), front rim possibly depending on the forks, and possibly some performance stuff... We will get a better idea later but a good bit which isn't any different than the 1098/1198 to 848 era and models that were prior...

I love how guys are bitching what class to race it in. Most racers are club guys, right? They have a 750 class that this thing will be perfect in anyways! Why so upset over something that is so trivial and that they seem to forget we haven't been involved in for such a long time? It's kinda silly actually. But, the hope is it does well in the press. If it does, it is going to be a great machine to be selling. I know I am already sorting details for one next year since the 1199 spares work directly for the most part...

Not even going there! Not worth it to listen to the armchair quarterbacks!

Not a single bit of fact and everyone was guessing which was fun to watch... The specs are out, the bikes are in full production livery and not a peep. Bummer... This is a perfect street and track day bike for the masses and nobody has said boo about it? I is sad.

You guys are slackin!!! I've had to keep info tight lipped for months now and they unveil and nada? Eh?

Have you seen a dyno chart? The 115 they are claiming is most likely at the crank also. I could be wrong, but I didn't see a dyno chart yet. But you are right, the SF848 is about 132-135 at the crank. And, if that is at the rear wheel, then yes it will be similar. They both are similar weight dry 373 to 377 and similar torque 69 to 67. HP at the rear wheel if that is what they are quoting will be similar also. @118-120 on the Duc and 115 +/- on the Yamaha... The target was pretty specific as the MV falls into the same specs really... I am still not sure if the 800 motor is the new Triumph motor or the Yamaha powerplant. They are claiming 125 HP which would nail it directly with the Yamaha. But at the end of the day, the cost is a factor with the Yamaha. There is typical Japanese design here and lends to show there is no soul in the bike like the MV 800 and SF848 and Street Fighter. But, it has a nice tag and will have a sweet motor. A great entry into this category of machines and will be a great choice.

It's less cloning and more making a unit that fits into a category that is climbing in sales. Ducati, MV, Aprilia, Triumph and even Honda to a degree have been doing these things for years. The market is getting stronger and Yamaha is looking at categories to excel in. When you look at the MIC data, Yamaha is climbing in sales. While Honda is losing outside the CBR500 and the NC700... Suzuki is dead fish in the pond and Kawi is struggling. So, Yamaha has some budget and is going to try and get into categories to keep them in the black.

Very true, but unfortunately, a lot of the comic books that people read and judge for their purchases don't really use the component category as a level of comparison between units. When you look at the MV, Triumph, Duc SF848 and this Yamaha, you can easily tell instantly what the differences are. But, when you read the comic books, you aren't given the reasons why components and higher scale components add value and cost... But you are dead nuts, man.

Cool bike for sure. Good to see more naked bikes and different offerings. Funny article test though. At 115hp and 67ft/lbs torque and they think in A Mode it would give an R1 a run for its money down low. Silly journalists... I like the concept and will be interested in how it compares to the triumph. You can get an MV right now and check out their triple. I just think it has some pretty inexpensive components. That's the only issue I see.

Sweet! You bought the last one they had! Talk to Bryan as he has done the mods and such on his. He also has tracked it a few times. He will have some great notes to share I am sure. Great guys and I thank you for getting them a retail!!

By the way, where did you buy it?

Not even a close comparison. While the Hyper SP is an awesome off road machine (I'm talking rough rock and sand, etc. Not just a gravel road or fire road...), it cannot stand up against the all round of the Multi. The Multi is just simply one of the best bikes out there. The SP is a BLAST and it is a quick and nimble machine. But I couldn't place it in front of the Multi. Now, you will also find guys expecting the Hyper to be more on the bottom end. The motor is a revving type motor similar to the 1199 where it is happiest in the revs. But, it makes great power up top and when you do rev it, it is amazing. Hooligan wheelies and plain ol shit eatin grin when ridden hard. Even the Hyper standard is a blast which is what my next demo is. The Hyper is amazing and it is especially great when in the SP trim. A lot of great features and great performance. But the Multi is just an overall amazing machine that does everything very well and tough to compare against. As for exhaust, the Termi system is really amazing. The airbox mod is suggested as it helps a ton also. It is a pain with the rear cylinder, but not awful. As I would suggest the full system... The bike sounds completely different with the Termi, but this is one of the bikes that in stock form, actually sounds pretty damn good.

Do you still have the flooring?

Nate- Can you PM me info on tear offs (Super Thins) for the Star/RS-1? Need prices... I usually order whatever the minimum is - QTY 150, I think? I just cannot remember what the style was...

They give him a localized shot. If they get pain killers, it isn't like what you are referring to...

I too wasn't that big a George fan, but after his crash and plated collar bone deal on the SAME WEEKEND and finishing 5th, I had MUCHO respect. Think Rossi's broken leg, think Pedrosa and George this year and now Marquez and the dislocated shoulder almost winning. The way that kid rides loose, his shoulder had to be killing him... Then there is Spies. Feel kinda bad for the dude, but when these examples come up, I don't have a lot of respect for the guy as a fighter. Rider? Sure. But that's about it... Marquez is amazing and is showing why every weekend. He is making MotoGP worth watching again!!

You can also do the two ramp setup.

I've loaded a gazillion bikes in the back of my dually and SRW diesel. Both were up high and probably the rear height higher than your current setup... What I do is use a rubber footed MX stand to step up on, pop the bike into gear and walk it up off the bike into the bed. I secure the ramp with a tie down as to not have it slip out from under... Been doing that without a single (knock on wood) issue as of yet...

Forgot that Monday is a holiday. Let's do Tuesday.

And is VERY cool in person. A bit heavier than I was hoping, but very, very cool and above all vs the competition, it looks like a real dirt bike and proper...

Maybe... I guess a few years at KTM made it look like I don't stay long, but my resume shows otherwise... The KTM deal was only public for a short period... But, Ducati has always been a brand I've wanted to be around. I can show you Doug Polen pics and race memorabilia I've collected over the years. I wanted an 851 or a 900 when I was at college at OSU... Trust me, not much about Ducati is bad in my mind. And I've never said they were shitty. So, when you add "again", you sound like Hob who is just butt hurt still over the suspension deal...

Polaris with the Mad? Tilted Kilt?