How do you snap pics behind the controls of a moving motorcycle? With a little bit of Yankee ingenuity!
10-Point Questions
Engine: User Friendliness
Warm-up, drivability, accessible power, vibration, carburetion and throttle response.
1. Ducati - 92.5
2. Aprilia - 87.5
2. Triumph - 87.5
4. MV Agusta - 82.5
Engine: Open-Road Performance
Judge overall power characteristics during performance riding. Overall power, throttle response (smooth vs. abrupt) and predictability (linear power delivery vs. spikiness).
1. Ducati - 90.0
1. MV Agusta - 90.0
3. Aprilia - 87.5
4. Triumph - 85.0
Transmission/Clutch
Ease of shifting, positive gear changes, neutral access, clutch modulation and durability.
1. Aprilia - 92.5
2. Ducati - 87.5
3. MV Agusta - 87.5
4. Triumph - 75.0
Handling/Chassis
Stability, turning speed, confidence, chassis design.
1. Aprilia - 95.0
2. Ducati - 92.5
3. MV Agusta - 77.5
4. Triumph - 62.5
See, we do take our jobs kinda serious. The evil eyes came out while waiting for a critical VBOX component to be couriered to our hotel.
Comfort, ability, adjustability, ease of adjustments. Overly soft? Overly stiff?
1. Aprilia - 92.5
1. Ducati - 92.5
3. MV Agusta - 80.0
4. Triumph - 72.5
Brakes
Power, initial bite, ease of modulation, fade, feel and added features (ABS, linked braking, etc.).
1. Ducati - 92.5
1. MV Agusta - 92.5
3. Aprilia - 87.5
4. Triumph - 62.5
Appearance
Design elements, relation to competitors, overall package and cool factor.
1. MV Agusta - 100
2. Aprilia - 85.0
3. Ducati - 75.0
3. Triumph - 75.0
Features
Something that gives it an edge over competitors like unique components, desirable aspects.
1. Aprilia - 92.5
2. MV Agusta - 87.5
3. Ducati - 85.0
4. Triumph - 80.0
Ergonomics/Riding Position
Overall comfort, adjustability (levers, seat, etc), legroom, handlebar bend, seat padding, control placement, mirror effectiveness, wind protection, etc.
1. Triumph - 95.0
2. Aprilia - 90.0
3. Ducati - 82.5
4. MV Agusta - 67.5
Instruments/Cockpit
Legibility, attractiveness, special features (lap timer, fuel gauge, clock, trip meters, thermometer, gear-position indicator, etc.) and simplicity.
1. Aprilia - 90.0
1. Triumph - 90.0
3. MV Agusta - 80.0
4. Ducati - 77.5
Kelly Baker to the rescue! The Rosamond-based proprietor of Performance Unlimited gracefully swaps rubber. In addition to offering great trackside support for racers at Willow Springs, he is also a first-class story swapper and an all-round good dude.
Bungee hooks, storage, luggage rack, suspension adjustment accessibility, cold starting, engine access, valve adjustment intervals, headlight effectiveness, ABS and fuel access.
1. Aprilia - 85.0
2. MV Agusta - 77.5
3. Ducati - 75.0
3. Triumph - 75.0
Grin Factor
Fun to ride, whether easy, challenging or just simply capable; makes a rider feel special.
1. Aprilia - 90.0
2. MV Agusta - 87.5
3. Ducati - 82.5
4. Triumph - 70.0
Value
Balance of price against overall "goodness" of motorcycle in comparison with similar machines.
1. Aprilia - 87.5
2. Triumph - 87.5
3. Ducati - 82.5
4. MV Agusta - 70.0
Fit & Finish
Inspires pride of ownership. Quality of paint, decals, components and welds. Judge details and bodywork alignment.
1. MV Agusta - 100
2. Aprilia - 90.0
3. Ducati - 85.0
4. Triumph - 75.0
Total Score:
1. Aprilia - 89.5
2. Ducati - 85.2
3. MV Agusta - 84.3
4. Triumph - 78.0
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2006 Streetfighter Comparo I.
