even funnier since the 916 was tamburini ripping off honda's nr.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I think the Paso is a beauty. It's also a cheap and easy way for someone who wants to join the Ducatista.

I just happen to have the April 1990 issue of Motorcyclist magazine on my desk. You remember that's the one where they tested the Sporting Superbikes, Honda CBR1000F, Kawasaki ZX10 and ZX11, GSXR 1100, and FZR1000. They also had an article on the "Great Bikes of the 80's".

Great bikes of the 80's? You mean there was more than one? That's right, they listed 30 of them including two Harleys (FXST Softail and XLH 883 Sportster). Well, they also listed one Ducati, the 750 Paso:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/451...pasoreview.jpg

Yes, I did hear that recently. Honda dropped the NR750 with the SSS and undertail exhaust and Ducati rushed out with the 916 right after. And I think the NR750 is way way WAAAAAYYYYYY more gorgeous than the 916...

Speaking of the NR. That is #2 on my list of "dream rides" right behind the Honda RC166. :drool:

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/...-Wallpaper.jpg

That April 1990 motorcyclist magazine was their first comparison of the ZX-11. It was no slouch. Besides being 105 pounds heavier than a 2012 R1 (tested in Sport Rider September 2012) the ZX-11 was almost 3/10 seconds quicker in the quarter. And that was with gearing that gave it a measured top speed of 175 mph. The 10.26 seconds for the quarter was also quicker than the 2012 Aprilia RSV4, ZX10R, and KTM RC8.

This issue also tested Honda's RC30. It cost $15K back then when the ZX-11 cost half as much. Here's what they said: "It outhandles any bike in America." Nick Ienatsch said it was "easily worth $15,000." High praise indeed.

And one of their "Great Bikes of the 80's" was a two-stroke. Yamaha's RZ350.

To me the Paso looks too stereotypically 80s. I particularly dislike the rectangle headlight that looks to have been pulled from the parts bin of any domestic truck or van from the 80s.

To a point weight is a benefit in the quarter mile, not a penalty. A 2012 Hayabusa or ZX-14R, each 30+ lbs heavier than even the ZX-11, are significantly quicker than any of the bikes you mentioned in the quarter in part because their increased weight.