2WF.com - Online and on the Gas - 2004 Open Class Shootout

2004 Open Class Shootout

Tuesday, 07 September 2004
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Aprilia RSV 5th Track - 4th street

The Aprilia almost nipped out the Kawasaki for track manners as it was so darned easy to ride. The injection was silky smooth with no lash on low speed corners. I felt very comfortable on this bike, and also felt very composed in the canyons. What held it back at the track was a little sloppy wallowing here and there and if I had more time, I'm sure I could have dialed that softness out and improved the track ranking. The bike looked up-to-the-minute

fresh, and fit and finish was easily up to par compared to the Japanese bikes. The biggest downer on this ride was the mount of heat generated from the motor. Forearms and thighs got toasted and during the photo shoots I had to dismount in the downtime for respite. It's a shame that I didn't get to back-to-back this against the Ducati - I would have like a definitive comparison on race track mannerisms between the two. I could easily see this bike in my garage, it's got that Italian style without the quirkiness, and has the same qualities of the Japanese bikes, i.e. gas and oil it, and just ride the pee out of it.

Ducati 999 5th Street

The Ducati had a real split personality; terrible on the freeways and inner city, but good in the canyons. This new bike offers infinite ergonomic adjustability and with more time, I bet it could be made to fit my height better. The gearing on this bike was superb and with its not too long-ish first gear, second and third were perfect for strafing the canyons. Unfortunately the 999 went 666 early in the test, so a mistrial is in order. I can't help wondering how it would have stacked up to the others on the track especially with its superb feedback and rock steady stability. Top five or better in the track comparison? If only...

Triumph Daytona 6th Track - 7th Street

The Triumph Daytona was Last, but not least. This bike surprised the heck out of me and though I'm voting it last, it gets first in a couple of categories. For street duties its comfortable seat and taller (for the group) handlebar position meant an easy time was had than the rest. The motor is very willing but the gearing was a little iffy, most of the time, street or track. I never seemed to be able to find a compromise in gear selection, I was always in too high a gear or too low. Carrying a higher gear

and using the ample torque to propel you forward was fine for the street, but not the fastest way on the track. The bike had more than enough beans to overpower its OEM tires and I suspect the chassis may have got wound up in knots on the sticky stuff. (Which we couldn't fit due to a lack of tools) I did however, record some very consistent lap times proving that it wasn't a wrestling match at the track. Great bike though, but in greater company.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 No Ranking

inspiring and has brakesThe Suzuki got molested in the worst possible way so I didn't get to experience the class leader for the past two years or so. However, I've spent some considerable time on this wicked fast motorcycle (on CA roads) and feel qualified to comment. The big Gixxer is smack bang in the middle of the horsepower war but a little ahead of the game as far as its wonderful mid-range punch is concerned. Due to that giant torque value, the bike can be lugged a gear higher to soften its hit and rapid progress can be made without delving into its tire spinning horsepower reserves. The handling is pretty

inspiring, and as good, if not better, than a couple of the above newbies. Style-wise, it's looking a little stale these days, Suzuki bless 'em are going to offer a tarted-up version, in between new model years, but the thought of a Mat Mladin replica, makes me want to take a sledgehammer to the tank and set fire to myself - How about a Kevin Schwantz replica instead? Maybe a little slim down (in shape, rather than weight) would see this bike numero uno again.

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