I don't disagree with you, personally - that's why I ride a '96 VFR - nor do I think the manufacturers really do. But you and I are not the reason. It's Superbike racing, plain and simple. The rules are so strict, you need an extremely competitive bike right out of the showroom. That's the real reason they make…

I've never met a better mechanic than myself. Plenty with more time and some with more experience, but none that care more to do the job right... which in the end, is what makes good work.

A lift. Seriously. Ok I know it's spendy and requires a lot of headroom, but if you /really/ work on cars, you know you MUST have a lift. It's the only way you can really do any serious work under the car. And even if you aren't doing serious surgery, it's a lot easier to change the oil by putting the car on the…

Nah, they were on a 2/4 cycle. Cosmetic and minor updates every two years (basically just electronics or suspension fine-tuning), with model overhauls every 4 years. To keep pace in Superbike racing, that's about what was required. However, right now you've got a handful of models in Japan that have received no…

I guess you haven't been following Ducati's finances lately. The vast majority of that debt is existing. Ducati had record profits last year and had significant expansion, as did BMW and KTM. It's the Japanese companies that are suffering, mostly because they've pulled back so much that their bikes are no longer…

Well that makes sense. Audi are always trying to match BMW, and BMW has had a very successful motorcycle line for a long time. With Ducati's current growth, they would be a very strong asset, particularly in the US market.

Well, the trophy wives have to drive something...

Leathers, yo. Very, very thick leathers. Those guys are nuts though; if someone crashes inside of you, you're basically getting attacked by a spinning saw. Also, star vic06: [jalopnik.com]

From what I've heard, you actually have MORE grip on ice w/ studs than you do in the dry with slicks. Pretty crazy. The guys in this video were just screwing around, but the guys who do actual ice racing can get to insane lean angles.

I hate this LED headlight crap. Every car on the road now has some stupid band of LED lights stuck on the front in some ridiculous shape. Oh yes, that's fantastic, I'm so glad your car has a little row of tiny lights on during the day because this giant burning ball of hydrogen called the sun would never have given…

I could make a list of 5 good things about world hunger, but everyone would know it was bullshit too.

You know that's my photo, right? You've missed the point completely.

There's been far more than one version of the C6R. There have been multiple bodywork iterations, some without the radiator outlet at all, some with the side scoops split, etc.

'tis an art.

Ferrari and Will Power jokes coming in...

Hmm. Funny how it looks *exactly* like this one, isn't it? Even down to the wheels, sidepipes, and radiator outlet. Any ideas what it could be called?

Right off of I-65N, about 15mins north of Prattville.

Fair point. True racing wheels aren't good for the street.

Interesting, but... carbon fiber shatters or snaps when it over loaded, where metal bends. While these would be fine for a controlled race track, they're terrible for the street. Hit a bad pothole and it will crack your wheel.

Technically, Raphael, you can keep the clutch engaged when stopped because it doesn't idle. Although the full torque certainly helps with get aways. How about they lose the clutch altogether and just go to a true manual sequential with no clutch at all?!