The GSXR is NO WHERE in the same class or category as this bike. Ducati set this cycle to clearly take on BMW and KTM, and it stands a very good chance, especially if it's the same motor as the 696. The capabilities of this frame and suspension set up are light years above what the Japanese can probably bring to the market, and ...well... as snobbish as it sounds: It's a Duck. It's Italian. And, that's all some riders need

*Will preface this with the fact that I am a loyal Piaggio rider and have been for about 10 years, so I know I'm slightly biased*

Besides, if this can give more bang for the buck than BMW's Xcountry 650, Ducati has a winner on it's hands. Looks sharp and if the numbers are to be believed, it's only about $2k above the Bimmer with ALOT more to offer in the power department.

Funny how there are readers on here who pretty much endorse the vandals because they "hate" a particular car (probably because it's not a New Camaro or a Hummer) and probably have never owned one.

I, for one, think the canal dunking of the vandals is a fantastic idea! Anyone who spends a large amount of money on a product that they like (REGARDLESS of if you like it or not!) is going to be devastated seeing those little headlamps looking up from the murky depths pleading for a hook truck and a towel (and a rewire, and an engine rebuild...).

Besides, shouldn't these bastards be picking on someone their own size?

This isn't some sort of "pork barrel" issue or the inability of the NYPD to adapt new technologies: It's for LEGAL reasons.

Why? Because a typed document can be easily secured, and it's much harder to alter a document that has been typed than a computer record. A typewriter makes about as permanent copy of a report as you can get, and to counterfeit it, you have to retype the WHOLE thing over, and that's hard to do when it's registered in as evidence. You just can't "erase" anything either, because the type makes an impression on the paper itself. The "flaws" of a typewriter also make it one of the better secure methods of documentation.

On a computer, all you have to do is open a file under someone's log in, retype a few letters or words, and no one is the wiser. MUCH harder to do with a physically typed document. And, with a person's property or even LIFE on the line, dependent on that document involved is legitimate, I can see why the NYPD wants to keep things as straightforward as possible. And with a single brand of typewriters being issued to ALL police departments, this also means that the company will NOT sell the same unit outside of Law Enforcement Agencies, reducing the chances of counterfeit legal documents (Because, like a bullet or a tire tread, you can trace a typed written page back to the machine that typed it by physical cues in the printing)

Because an iPhone is a toy for the idle ignorant who do nothing but twitter and gab all day on how trendy they are with their new iPhone. It's a pretty phone, but just that: ONLY A PHONE!

This is made as a bit of serious kit for dangerous environments. You can't even drop an iPhone one foot without it breaking. The vibrations from any cycle will kill it and just about anything else phone related pretty quick. Sometimes you just need the right TOOL for the job, not a tool's fashion accessory. You cannot use an iPhone with cycle gloves. You cannot use it in the rain. You cannot see the damned screen from a foot away much less 2 to 3 feet. You cannot use an iPhone in the middle of the Sonoran desert. You cannot throw an iPhone to the ground at 40mph if you mis-negotiate a trail rise and expect it to do anything but remind you that you're the tool who bought a $600 bit of plastic that you're not allowed to get a protection plan on.

Knowing BMW, they select quality gear that takes what their bikes can. I've been VERY pleased with their accessories that they choose to pair with their bikes. I just wish they didn't come at such a premium. My bike was competitively priced to other cycles out there: The accessories aren't.

Although, I am pretty sure the BMW dealer points aren't going to be needed too much by BMW riders: The bikes are so damned bulletproof you rarely need more than regular service intervals. I've already got 20k on my XCountry 650 and not a lick of issue. Just a new rear tire and plugs. And, for the price of a used Hyundai Accent you won't find anything faster or more aggressive on tarmac or off. Kawasaki is going to have to step up their motorrad game or the KLR is just going to end up looking like the me-too Enduro once again with other offerings from the Italians and Germans stepping up, and for better prices in some cases

Several things:

The Honda Rebel is NOT a single cylinder, it's a twin cylinder based off the CB platform. Yes, they're still using it. But, it's a decent commuter with a top speed of 75mph, and it IS stable.

The new Ninja 250, on the other hand, has been TOTALLY redesigned for '08! It's a sweet little 250 that can be slung around pretty hard (even with it's skinny wheels) and they really improved the rider ergonomics! If you can FIND one for sale, they're worth it. And, as a 250cc track bike, it's a blast!

And, I ride a Vespa GTS250ie, and I can honestly say that their review is pretty spot on for Vespas. Their build quality IS amazing, but the parts on the other hand... that will KILL you. Their dealer support is HORRIBLE!! It takes 2 to 4 weeks just to get parts, and the labour is insane ($130/hr!?!?). Granted they are VERY fine bikes, but I wouldn't discount Kymco just yet. They're a great scooter and really have their game together. I myself just don't like the "plastic" feel of them, even with the rock solid build they do put into them and the great parts service. Also, the GTS will smoke the Honda Rebel in performance and top speed (I'm able to get 85mph with a comfy ride on it), and is alot easier to manage. But, it is a heavier bike... something to keep in mind.

I'm surprised bikes like the Yamaha C3 and Honda Metropolitan didn't rank as high. They're quality scoots (although I'm not big on Japanese scooters, I'd still sport one. They're not as embarassing as the Chinese junk). They also needed to put a disclaimer about all the fly-by-night cheap junk Chinese GY6 clones flooding the market. THOSE are deathtraps...even have seen a few calling themselves "Based on Vespa" or "Developed by Yamaha" When they have NOTHING to do with the company!

I'm looking forward to these black friday deals because with the economy cutting jobs (like mine) at a 25 year high, I'm having to trade my laptop for a car!! Then again, my current one is a Toshiba A105 with vista basic and a 80gig HD. So, even the "crappy" Compaq from Wal Mart sounds better than what I got.

I say stretch out the black friday deals as long as you can!!! We as the consumer could surely use the break.

Just.... don't can anyone else for it. At this point, the layoffs in the tech and retail field are getting a bit too thick (not that I ever shopped at CC, but everyone needs a paycheck ya know)

Well, considering that the average dealership employs anywhere from 30 (small single brand complex) to 300 (multi-brand complex) employees, that could mean a domestic job loss of up to 210,000 in a worse-case senario.

Even at one TENTH that, it's alot of jobs to yank out from under the non-working public. And, not all of those jobs can be absorbed in other industries. Sure, you might be able to find work if you're a Janitor, admin assistant or the like from one of these dealerships. But, if you're a sales manager, master mechanic or sales associate then good luck finding another dealer looking to hire.

Then again, I'm thinking of the job market and the economy as a whole, and not the "Big 3".... because right now I could care less if the only cars left being made were 4-cylinder econobox sedans and vans. As long as the workforce is kept up and there is profit of SOME type rolling in, that is really all that should matter.

"None of those Indian made Jeeps better be sent to America. I drive a 98 XJ and I would never consider buying a foreign-built Jeep. It's just wrong....."

Coming from a guy who's using the image of an English rebellion leader (who is FOREIGN) as their avatar

Either you're a hypocrite or an idiot. With today's economy, it might be "build them in India" or get ready to scrounge the boneyards for parts for your Jeep, because they'll be out of the biz come next fiscal year

Dude...ENOUGH with inserting Macbook/Apple/iPhone comments into EVERYTHING, especially where Apple isn't even mentioned!!

This is the SAME colour scheme that Toshiba has been using for..what...like a decade! My A105 has the same colours! And yes, it feels of cheap flimsy plastic but at the time it was the best deal out there for the specs it has. I just have to deal with a cheap chassis...bleh...

Apple didn't invent silver and black paint. Get over it.

Wow...would LOVE to live in your mythical world where jobs are as easy to find as they were in the 90's and nobody is suffering from foreclosure and reposession.....

I have a BA in Theatrical Engineering, and I was laid off 5 months ago from the theater I was working for because they couldn't keep the doors open after a buyout. Since then I have yet to find a job even after 12 years in the industry with tons of awards and credits. This is NOT a rare occurance: I know everyone from mechanics to EMT's who are more than fully trained, but so many companies are scaling back that there haven't been any new jobs for months.

That being said, I've gone to rebuilding my Toshiba A105 because frankly, I don't know of ANYONE who can throw down $1500 on this year's trendy laptop. Sure, I'd like a nice thin large screen replacement as much as the next dude, but while you're up there in your ivory tower in Upstate New York, the rest of us poor schleps (especially in the Southwest) are making due with what we have while the federal government throws trillions of our tax dollars at bailing out rich executives so they can go to lavish California retreats. Meanwhile, my 401(k) just lost $216,000 and getting ready for a buddy of mine to move in with me after his mortgage went from $900 a month to $2100 a month forcing him out.

But you go right on ahead with your little "theory" of natural market correction. I'm sure the folks in Upstate New York would LOVE to share the secret that all of us ignorant folks out here in the rest of the country can't seem to get for those jobs "for those who want them".