If you have a 2002-2005 VFR... FYI!

[Paul_E_D]

Ugh, All comparisons with Harley end with the aftermarket. Harley was never able to turn their technology ( or Porsche's for that matter) into a successful race platform.

Why is racing important? It pushes designs to their limit and beyond. Good designs survive and bad ones get scrapped (except Harley's, which became the VRod)

[benVFR]

Paul what does the valve train have to do with Ducati being successful?

All it shows is that the valves work ok for 10-12,000 rpm for short races.

I understand the value of diversity but Ducati's strength is in marketing. I think the average person wouldn't even notice if they put a conventional valve train on the bikes and upped the maintenance intervals. (As long as they could maintain the sound)

The bikes don't have to be perfect to be cool or desirable... never arguing that. I just don't think Desmo has actually shown itself to be an advantage. (Again doesn't really matter if riders think it's cool and it sells bikes)

VTEC is the same way, although it is kind of too new to really understand what is going to happen. The next bike with variable valve gimmicks could be more race focused then the VFR and very different. One thing for sure the current implementation of VTEC is not winning Honda any reputation. It should have been on a firebreathing bike instead since american bike buying is so biased around posing.

[Paul_E_D]

Is maintainence interval the most important thing on a motorcycle? Not to me. I have a yamaha that has a 4k valve adjust interval a duc that has a a 6k interval and a classic mini (car) that has a 6k interval. It only takes a few minutes to check any of them. Not to mention my Honda racebike that needs a top end every 300 miles...

Perhaps when you own a VFR it's important. You need an advanced degree to adjust those things (so I'm told)

desmo motors feel and sound unique. If you switched to springs you'd have a Honda, which is clearly what you want.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by Paul_E_D
Is maintainence interval the most important thing on a motorcycle?

It ranks right up there for me...

[highsider]

It would be one thing if the whole Desmo-valve thingie made a huge difference, but it doesn't, so why spend the extra cash??

[Wayne-o]

Originally posted by Paul_E_D

desmo motors feel and sound unique. If you switched to springs you'd have a Honda, which is clearly what you want.