[motorcycle.com] - 2014 Super Middleweight Sportbike Spec Shootout

[Ninjette Newsbot]

While the Polar Vortex is spinning temperatures across the country in a downward spiral, motorcycle magazines in Southern California are busily testing this year’s crop of weaponized two-wheelers. The recent launches of Ducati’s 899 Panigale and MV Agusta’s F3 800 has ignited the middleweight class for 2014, and everyone’s aflutter to figure out which OEM has the best package.

With street and track testing about to get underway, we pulled together the spec sheets of the above two and the venerable Suzuki GSX-R750 to analyze their similarities (all claim 148 hp at the crank) and differences (namely prices and electronics). Testing and dyno runs will confirm or dispel the OEM’s assertions, but how accurate a prophecy can we make on the shootout’s outcome based on these figures?

Last year’s middleweight shootout compared the Suzuki GSX-R750 to Kawasaki’s 636 Ninja and Triumph’s Daytona 675R.

According to our resident expert, the guy who’s already ridden all three motorcycles (separately at different tracks and during disparate weather conditions), our Down Under Editor, Troy Siahaan has this to say.

“From a technological perspective, both the Italian bikes blow the Suzuki away. With their myriad of electronic aids, the Ducati and MV boast all sorts of devices to help the rider achieve a faster lap with less effort.

“That said, the Suzuki has a quality we’ve loved about the GSX-R line — instant familiarity. The 750 might be dated at this point, but it’s still a solid performer that fits like an old glove without any of the finer detail issues (read: electrical) plaguing bikes like the MV. It’s possible since we’re so comfortable with it that our initial lap times will be quicker on the Suzuki until we get ourselves up to speed on the others.

“However, the MV probably has the agility advantage of the bunch, and the Ducati likely has the most overall power, with steering quickness likely not far behind the F3 800. I predict this shootout will be close. My guess is the Ducati might come out on top, but it’s impossible to be certain how they stack up until we ride them back to back.”

With its $14,995 price tag, the glamorous 899 Panigale costs only a few thousand dollars more than its 600cc “rivals” (can you really call them that now?), and at $15,295 for the Arctic White seen in these photos, it’s four dollars less expensive than a 2014 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS, the most expensive Japanese literbike currently on the market.


The first Italian bike in this three-way battle, the Ducati 899 Panigale stands apart by way of its monocoque chassis and V-Twin engine. It boasts not only the greatest amount of torque but also the longest wheelbase. The Duc has an impressive array of electronic trickery, and the bike’s MSRP reflects this fact. It’s more expensive than the Suzuki by $2,700 but less than the MV by $800. And make no mistake, as much as motorcycling is a purchase based on impractical criteria, price is something that can’t be forgotten.

MV uses an Eldor ECU to keep tabs of the bike’s major functions, including the eight traction control settings (nine including off) and four different riding modes — Rain, Normal, Sport, and Custom. Similar to the system seen on the Brutale 800, TC consists of sensors for throttle position, gear position, engine speed and rear wheel speed to react to rate of change between engine and rear-wheel speed.


Not only is the F3 800 an exotic, Italian Triple, it’s the harbinger of improved electronics and fueling – problems that have been plaguing MV Agustas for years. The F3’s going to need flawless performance from its engine and electronics package to corroborate the most expensive asking price in this group and overcome the competition. Unlike the Showa units on the other two, the MV comes equipped with a Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock. Otherwise, it has the highest compression ratio but no clear on-paper advantages compared to the Panigale.

Suzuki officially entered the American market on Aug. 16, 1963, making 2013 Suzuki’s 50th anniversary in the U.S. The Japanese manufacturer is continuing its celebration in 2014 with special anniversary models of the GSX-R750 and Hayabusa. The Gixxer 750 was our oddball sportbike winner in 2011 but failed to retain its title last year when pitted against Triumph’s Daytona and Kawasaki’s revitalized ZX-6R. But the granddaddy of Japanese repli-racers has a terrific balance of power and handling that makes it one of our favorite sportbikes.


The 2014 Gixxer 750 is the smallest displacement bike in this group, but that’s not driving its low MSRP – it’s the bike’s lack of electronic rider aids keeping it below the $12,500 threshold ($12,499 for the 50th anniversary model). The middleweight Gixxer does come equipped with Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) and an electronically controlled steering damper, but those two goodies pale in comparison to the other bikes’ array of quick-shifter, adjustable engine braking, traction control and ABS technologies. Where the two Italian bikes boast 24-month warranties the Suzuki is covered only for 12 months.

There will be a winner and a loser in our shootout of these three, but what we can’t account for is the personal preference of subjective matters such as physical attraction, exhaust sound and engine character/architecture.

“I’m anxious to see how these bikes will compare,” says Ed-in-Chief Duke, “because their various engine arrangements will give each bike distinct personalities, yet I’m expecting their performance capabilities to be remarkably similar. It’s going to be fun to see how their individual characteristics stack up!”

While performance is the stick by which all sportbikes are measured, a Ducatista will presumably purchase the 899 Panigale even if it places third in our shootout. While we may be unable to dissuade a person from his motorcycling proclivities, we’ll certainly do our best to present both sides of the argument.

*Ducati 899 PanigaleMV Agusta F3 800Suzuki GSX-R750MSRP$14,995$15,798$12,299EngineSuperquadro L-Twin, 4 Desmodromically actuated valves per cylinder3-cylinder, 4-stroke, 12-valve, DOHC4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHCHorsepower/Torque148 hp @ 10,750 rpm / 73.0 ft-lb. @ 9,000 rpm148 hp @ 13,000 rpm / 64.91 ft-lb. @ 10,600 rpm148 hp @ 13,200 rpm / 64 ft-lb. @ 11,200 rpmCompression12.5 :113.3 :112.5 :1Transmission6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS)Cassette style; 6-speed, constant mesh, Electronically Assisted Shift (EAS) system6-speed, constant meshRake/Trail24°/3.78 in23.6°/3.89 in23°/3.82 inWheelbase56.1 in.54.3 in.54.7 in.Wet Weight425.5 lb.427 lb.419 lb.Front SuspensionFully adjustable 43mm Showa BPF forkFully adjustable 43mm Marzocchi fork with 4.92 in. travel41mm Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF)Rear SuspensionFully adjustable unit. Aluminum double-sided swingarmFully adjustable Sachs shock with 4.84 in. travelShowa shock externally adjustable rebound and compression damping, and ride height adjustmentFront BrakesDual 320mm discs with monobloc radial-mount 4-piston Brembo callipersDual 320mm discs with monobloc radial-mount 4-piston Brembo calipers310mm discs and radial-mounted, four-piston Brembo monoblock calipersRear BrakesSingle 245mm disc with 2-piston Brembo calliperSingele 220mm disc with 2-piston Brembo caliperSingle disc with 2-piston Brembo caliperFront Tire120/70 ZR 17120/70 ZR 17120/70 ZR 17Rear Tire180/60 ZR 17180/55 ZR 17180/55 ZR 17Seat Height32.5 in.31.7 in.31.9 in.ElectronicsRiding modes, Power modes, ABS, DTC, DQS, EBC, Fully RbWMVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System), EAS, ABSSuzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS), electronically controlled steering damperFuel Capacity4.5 gal4.4 gal4.5 galWarranty24 months unlimited mileage24 months unlimited mileage12 month unlimited mileage2014 Super Middleweight Sportbike Spec Shootout appeared first on Motorcycle.com.



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