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posted June 21, 2007 04:43 PM
Bikeland's 2007 Literbike Dyno Shootout
 Got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket and ready to step up to the 2007 Liter Bike plate? Bikeland cranks out the numbers on the Area P Dyno with Kerry Bryant at the controls.
This year's list of contenders grows to include Ducati's 1098. A drastic cut in MSRP puts the all new Italian masterpiece within putting range of the Big 4, and now worthy of inclusion in our shootout - an Italian literbike finally in reach of the pocketbooks of mere mortals.
As the priciest of the bunch, the 1098 comes equipped with kit you'll definitely not find standard on a Japanese bike, including Marchesini wheels and Brembo binders. Great as drooling material or even as something that would look nice parked in your living room, the biggest stumbling block anyone has with this sold-out model is getting their hands on one.
Included in our test - Yamaha's R1, Ducati's 1098, Suzuki's GSX-R1000, Kawasaki's ZX-10R and Honda's CBR1000RR.
Click here to download this article in printer friendly PDF format
Fresh off the pump, we pulled Bryant aside to grab some candid thoughts about these '07 machines.
Here's what he had to say...
"The most obvious 'improvements' for the 1000 class in 2007 are the Yamaha R1, of course the Ducati 1098.
The Yamaha has significantly improved in peak power output, averaging 7 - 8 more at peak than previous '04-06 models. The huge dip in their mid-range power band has been improved, though not completely addressed on the '07 model. An oxygen sensor bung has also been added for 2007.
The Ducati is by far the biggest surprise for '07. It is now 'competitive' in the power department. With the addition of a properly designed aftermarket exhaust system and remap of the fuel curve, it should easily be competitive with any 1000 class bike available. By Ducati standards, it is also reasonably affordable in initial purchase price. Making this bike even more desirable is the fact that maintenance intervals are extended far beyond previous open class Ducs.
The Suzuki maintains the same basic power band as previous. Changes to the exhaust have added 16 pounds to the bike's weight. The exhaust now seems to be a love it or hate it item to be debated. There is a tremendous improvement in power, especially in the mid-range, to be had by converting to a single aftermarket Slip-On. An oxygen sensor bung has also been added for '07 models.
The Kawasaki is basically unchanged from a power output standpoint for '07.
The Honda remains essentially the same since '04. The new '08 Honda is said to have a fresh sheet and should jump up from the bottom of the class of four-cylinder power output. Though it still remains one of the best overall packages."
Crunching the numbers...
Click here to download this article in printer friendly PDF format
Where does this leave you, the consumer? The least expensive of the bunch and also making the most ponies is the 2007 Kawasaki ZX-10R, also second in line in the torque department.
Winner torque-wise is the 1098. Checking out the torque curve confirms that the luscious Duc pulls like a freight train all the way from the basement to the top floor. Let's face it... Horsepower is great for bragging rights at your local Starbucks, but everyone knows that torque equals fun, and the 1098 delivers in this department.
Where to spend your money? Well, factor in brand loyalty, color, weight, build quality, your credit score and a million other bits of data and the choice is yours. Tale of the tape says that if you can lay your hands on a 1098 and you've got a rich Uncle, you'll be left with a permanent smile on your face - if not - Team Green's the way to go!
Source: Bikeland.org
   
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deathpulse
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posted June 21, 2007 08:24 PM
I wonder if we can flatten the torque and hp dip in the 1098 a bit with a PC-III......
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rgeorge
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posted June 21, 2007 11:02 PM
 Edited By: rgeorge on 22 Jun 2007 00:05
Excellent article. Back to back comparison on the dyno tells a lot about the bikes.
I have to disagree with one conclusion though.
quote:
...the luscious Duc pulls like a freight train all the way from the basement to the top floor. ..... torque equals fun, and the 1098 delivers in this department.
The 1098 has the highest peak torque, no doubt about that, but the torque curve leaves something to be desired in the midrange. In fact, the Jap 4 cylinders have the same or better torque values from 4500 to 6500. When I think of something that "pulls like a freight train all the way from the basement" I think of a torque curve that is perfectly flat and gives full torque even at very low rpm.
I realize that this is the 1098 forum and I don't want to step on any toes, so I should point out that the article makes me respect the Duc now more than ever 
It is obvious to me that Ducati has done a lot of work to make the the bike have a nice broad (not peaky) source of power at high rpms. I am certain that Ducati has a lot of engineering effort into getting the power exactly where they want it. Just guessing, it appears that they have designed the complex wave timing of the intake runner, port, and cam combination to give peak volumetric efficiency at 8000 rpm and another beneficial resonance at about 9200. They may have hurt the midrange when they created these peaks.
When you are racing, you spend most of the time above 7k anyway so torque at 5k doesnt mean much.
The other good news is the 1098 has a nice range of power on the top end. I bet it is fun to ride. The Yamaha has a narrower peak than the other bikes. It looks like you would need to nail your shifts at exactly the right rpm on the R1 to have a chance against the others.
Just my $.02
Rob
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fish_antlers
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posted June 22, 2007 08:23 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 22 Jun 2007 09:29
I believe that the 1098 can be sorted with some time on a dyno and a powercommander (about to be released) and or an aftermarket system. Guess is that a lot of the bizarreness is attributed to E3 emissions?
If you look at the TQ for the 1098 you'll see it's bracketed between 60-80 for its range, while the inline 4s spend their time between 50-75 ....
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
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posted June 22, 2007 01:17 PM
quote:
If you look at the TQ for the 1098 you'll see it's bracketed between 60-80 for its range, while the inline 4s spend their time between 50-75 ....
Yeah if you go down to 3000 rpm's.
These are sportbikes.
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CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
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