Ducati Slipping? (No pun intended)

[island_duc]

Uh dudes . . . I've been sick for about 2 weeks.  The silver lining is that I got caught up on all my magazine reading.

I was shocked to see that in the August 08 Sportrider the CBR1000RR with the Bazzaz aftermarket electronic traction control was rated higher than the 1098R which has TC standard.  I know that Bazzaz was the chief mechanic for Matt Mladin and evidently an engineering genius, but I thought with all those superbike championships under their belt that the Duc would come out on top.  In that same issue, the Gixxer 750 was rated higher than the 848.  Finally, i noticed that Motorcyclist magazine chose the CBR1000RR as sportbike of the year with the 848 as the "alternate take".  What's up Ducati?

On a different note, if you're looking for a sub-$1,000 D-SLR, it looks like the Canon XSi is the one to get.  For a wide angle lens, there's a new Tokina ultra-wide 11-16mm, non-fisheye lens with a constant 2.8 aperture.  I was thinking about getting their 12 - 24mm, which is also highly rated, but may be I'll opt for the wider one instead.  Also, there a new Canon flash coming out, the 430EX II Speedlite.  I actually called Canon about getting one, but it looks like it hasn't been released yet.

[MadDuck]

You have to give Honda it's due. They've come a long way over the last couple of years with their sportbikes. That said, garnering a 2nd for the 848 is not bad at all given the quality of the competition.

SportRider loves the GSXR 750 and always has.  That bike shares the top of a very small list of possible next bikes for me. Not very exclusive, so what. It is perhaps one of the best ever built, very competant in all respects, has a huge support base and is a blast to ride. For me it's only drawback is that it too encourages high speed risky behavior similar to the 999.

I don't have the new Motorcyclist yet but in the many sub-categories of the MOTY award didn't they choose the 1098R as the "dream superbike of the year" or some similar rot? Ducati still gets a tip of the hat this year somewhere.

[teddy037.2]

the 1000RR is McBeastly!  and for the 848 to be sorta-tied-ish to a new and shiny SBK isn't so bad.

but it's still ugly 

not a fan of hondas in general, but I do like the new RR. hell, I can even sit on it 

[island_duc]

Well, I guess that means I stand a chance of sitting on one.

not a fan of hondas in general, but I do like the new RR. hell, I can even sit on it 

[eltristo]

On a different note, if you're looking for a sub-$1,000 D-SLR, it looks like the Canon XSi is the one to get.  For a wide angle lens, there's a new Tokina ultra-wide 11-16mm, non-fisheye lens with a constant 2.8 aperture.  I was thinking about getting their 12 - 24mm, which is also highly rated, but may be I'll opt for the wider one instead.  Also, there a new Canon flash coming out, the 430EX II Speedlite.  I actually called Canon about getting one, but it looks like it hasn't been released yet.

I'll respond to part 2...  It's about time!  I waited 4 years for Canon to make a good entry-level DSLR.  Finally I gave up and bought the Nikon, cause it was just SOOOOOOOO much better than the Canon offering.   Better sensor, better colors, even a better kit lens.   The d450 is actually a contender. 

That said, I would stay away from the Tokina lenses.  They have sub-par quality control (imo) and, more importantly, this Canon looks like it can benefit from actually using good lenses.  Buy used L lenses from a reputable dealer.  It's worth it.