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2005 Superbike Smackdown II PIR Photo Gallery
Photos of the 2005 Superbike Smackdown II Track.
2005 Superbike Smackdown II Track
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The King of the Hill for 2005, Suzuki's all new GSX-R1000.
Our 2004 Bike of the Year and winner of last year's Smackdown couldn't hold off the all-new GSX-R.
Ducati's super-trick superbike the 999R almost had what it takes to defeat the in-lines.
Kevin Duke looks right at home on the Honda CBR1000RR.
Becklin took it easy during the moist first sessions of our track time at PIR.
We couldn't get Ken to give up the GSX-R after his first session.
We took advantage of the wash-out on day one to get our leaky Ducati fork seal replaced.
The Yamaha R1 may have come in last but the bike is so beautiful and so close to the others that we felt bad for making it this year's loser.
Roberti turned his fastest laps on the Kawasaki ZX-10R.
All five test riders in rank-and-file while filming on-bike video. Ken leads the pack into turn 7 on the CBR1000RR.
This year's MCUSA fantasy football champion almost didn't get to ride in this test, but Korf gave up his seat so Big Mike could ride.
The Prez sayz... Suzuki takes two in this year's Smackdown!
Don and the Ducati were attached at the hip until the track dried out.
You'll find that Duke got a load of photo time while riding the CBR1000.
Ken chose the '05 Suzuki GSX-R1000 as his pick of the in-line fours.
Duke Danger is heading right into your lap on the CBR.
Mike Mitchell won the open class title at PIR on a Yamaha R1 so he was right at home on the '05 R1.
Roberti puts his head down while logging some hot laps on the Honda with our V-Box system strapped on.
The front of the new GSX-R is somewhat better looking than it was in 2004. That's in contrast to Shawn, who was probably better looking in '04.
Roberti bleeds off 100 mph and leans in to Turn 1.
Ken, BC and Duke run 1-2-3. (I must've been lapping them -KD)
Becklin does his best to move the Honda up in the ranks by turning his fastest lap on the ebony beast.
Roberti is all over Becklin as they roll through PIR's scary turn 9.
The rangy BC actually looks good on the Yamaha R1. Or is it that the R1 looks good despite BC? Either way, it's all good.
MCUSA factory rider Mike Mitchell turned some seriously fast laps on the Ducati 999R.
Despite turning his fastest laps on the Kawasaki, Roberti chose it third on his personally preferred list.
When it was all said and done, Roberti says he would take the Ducati if he could afford it...but he can't.
Duke launches the 999R during 1/4 mile testing. 10.74@137.4 mph wasn't too shabby.
Despite our unenviable record of frying Ducati clutches during 1/4-mile runs, Duke broke the streak and brought the 999R home with fibers intact.
Nice tail! Not you Duke, the R1. Kevin pulled off a 10.51@141.9mph on Yamaha's flagship.
The Suzuki GSX-R proved to be the best in the 1/4 mile with a fastest 10.3@142.7mph.
Everyone was eager to see if the GSX-R could topple the ZX in the 1/4 mile. It did.
Drop the clutch and launch to the finish line on the ZX (or any of these bikes) and you will find your self in a sort of hyper-reality. They'll get all the way up to 140 mph in less than 10 seconds!
The Honda CBR1000RR was only able to outpace the Duc down PIR's dragstrip, logging a 10.57 @ 141.6 mph run.
Although the Gixxer didn't log the best lap time at PIR, it was the quickest way down the quarter-mile.
The solid Honda CBR1000RR tips into turn 7 at a high rate of speed with Ken at controls.
With Roberti at the controls of the CBR, even the mighty ZX was hard pressed to hang.
Becklin picked the GSX-R as he fave of this fab five.
Duke shows Ken a few new lines around PIR.
The GSX-R brakes were incredible... just ask DB.
Roberti on the ZX was like a pea in a pod, clicking off his best lap time of the day.
Say what you want about its styling or its price tag, the 999R just flat works around a racetrack.
Duke Danger finds his way around PIR, the first time he ever navigated the Northwest circuit.
"You could keep this thing spinning below 10 grand and still roast 600s." -Duke Danger
BC would've selected the ZX-10 again in his For My Money if it had a steering damper.
Kawasaki's suspension upgrades have helped the '05 Zixxer, but it could still use a little help from GPR.
It may not rank the highest in terms of performance, but the R1 always looks good when it's going around the track.
Ken waves off the competition as he navigates PIR.
Ranking the R1 last in our shootout is a clear indication of how tough the competition is in 2005. The R1 is by no means a slouch as Hutch demonstrates.
Despite a rather hefty build (the bike, not Duke), the CBR is a willing accomplice at the track.
Don warms up the 999R's tires for Roberti during data acquisition testing.
Yes, DB, you're in first place. Now get back to the rear of the group so you can videotape us like you're supposed to!
