Upgrade... or is it?

[Seadweller]

Originally Posted by ekam

Wow. I think I'm going to miss my 986.

Few observations:
- My 986 felt like a race car compare to the 987. Shifter, clutch, gas pedal all felt soft and no sensation?
- Car is way too quiet.
- You feel the car is moving but you feel less involved. Even turning the key felt like some software is cranking the engine for you instead of the mechanical feel of the 986.

The same thing has happened with sport bikes. My late, beloved Ducati's, a 1992 851SP and a 1995 900SS/SP weren't rocket ships, but they were visceral, cranky, uncomfortable, and a downright blast to ride.

Fast forward to the new Ducati's, and while the acceleration and handling is absolutely mind-boggling, it's also rather boring. Traction control, wheelie control, ABS and "selectable" riding modes almost take the "sport" out of it. In my opinion, it also makes them more dangerous, as they lull you into a false sense of security. One of the MotoGP guys rode the new Panigale, and said it was "too easy to ride" which causes you to continue to seek the limits of the machine. The new Ducati's can do a wheel stand at 100mph with the flick of the wrist (wheelie control turned off of course).