|
DB7 First Ride Report
Well actually, my son Jon a/k/a "The Hebrew Hammer" put the first 10 miles on the newly delivered DB7. His comment was, "never been on anything with a Ducati V-twin that will pull below 4000 rpms, they really DID fatten up the midrange with a different ECU. Handles real well too."
So, when I finally got to ride it, all I can say is that he is right, but first things first.
First, the fit, finish and detailing is superb, and perhaps the absolute best of all the Bimotas I have seen, owned, and ridden, including the DB6R, which I thought was the pinnacle up to now. The clear coated finish shows the detail of the carbon body work and adds to a package of the very top components (the Marzocchi front forks and the ExtremeTech rear shock that I spent ten minutes just starting at from the rear of the bike, damn the adjusters alone are modern art) and the overall quality of the metal work is visual bike porn at its best.
Next, when you sit on it, you sit in it ala Ducati 999, not on it like the 1098. One very comfortable riding position without excess strain on your wrists and a nicely 'heads up' stance that keeps away the dreaded "Italian neck" that cause many of us staring at the ceiling for an hour or so after an hour ride. The reach for the bars, at least for me, is perfect. The pegs are also low enough and back far enough that your legs aren't cramped after a short ride. Seat is firm, but not a brick. Didn't get numb butt.
Okay, enough for that, how does it run? I agree with the Cycle World comparison test, even with the 32hp deficient against my former 1098R, the revamped engine mapping provides response that is perhaps a bit better running up from about 3000 to about 8500 or 9000 where the 1098R will finally start to catch up and pull ahead until both bikes hit the rev limiters. In everyday or street riding, the Bimota reacts faster and does not need to be whipped hard to perform as well. You can short shift (that is, shift at 9000) and get your license lifted without breaking a sweat.
The Cycle World test was also correct regarding the different focus of the Ducati and Bimota Superbikes. Ducati spent the money on the engine and concentrated on the track. Bimota put its money into the chassis and built a bike optimized for the street. I asked Bob Steinbugler to set the bike up for someone my weight. He did a wonderful job adjusting a very adjustable and damn near perfect suspension. I needed just a bit of tweaking and, taking it a bit easy on brand new tires, find this to be a far better handling bike than my 1098R and one of the best handling bikes I have ever ridden.
A perfect bike? There is no such thing, but one incredible motorcycle and a true bit of rolling Italian art.
Bimota has hit a real high point with the DB7. Do we need a more powerful, 1198R with the same engine as the Ducati Bayliss? There is no such thing as too much power or 'enough' power. However, if they offer one next year, I see no reason to 'trade up' unless I am going to track the bike, and I have several other bikes for track days. YMMV, but that is my view of an awesome ride.
Dave
__________________
Time Wounds All Heels
|
Linear Mode
