[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Mike, I'm sorry. My post was very misleading. We are in full agreement. As you say, our Ducatis handle exceptionally well due to their elegant, well thought out trellis frames and integral 90 degree "L-Twin". I might even go so far as to say they are one of the best handling motorcycles ever made. There is a sublime, confidence inspiring competence to their handling that is unmatched by many other motorcycles.

Where I failed was in providing any kind of an explanation for my assertions about the length of the motor, its rearward placement required by the length, and the attendant long wheelbase and their affect upon handling. I was thinking Moto GP, or World Superbike level bikes and riders. The very highest levels of performance achieved on motorcycles, the cutting edge of design and performance. My apologies - I completely left that part out.

Ducati had struggled with their dogged insistence upon some sort of a V or L type motor planform at these highest levels of racing. They obviously got it sorted last year, but they did struggle. The inline four allows for a more "modern" motorcycle planform, with the motor quite far forward, pushing the CG as far forward as possible. There was a lot of commentary on that over the years in which Ducati were struggling, with many calling for them to abandon their traditional planform. I'm glad they persisted...

But, yeah, for riders like you and me, in the real world, on real roads, I cannot think of a better handling motorcycle than the traditional Ducati trellis / stressed motor combination. As you and i have both experienced, they are simply wonderful.

Sorry for the confusion.

All true except for U-turns. My Monster can get it done but not as easily as one might think.