This thrust chart shows driving force to the rear wheel in each gear for each bike. The six curves represent each gear in the transmission, with first having the most thrust and lowest speed. The Suzuki is just hitting its stride in first gear while the Honda and Ducati are already at redline. Huge gaps between the Ducati's curves show graphically the term "being stuck between gears," as the bike makes much less thrust in the taller gear than it does at redline in the lower gear. The Honda and Suzuki lines for each gear intersect, indicating a smooth transition through the gearbox.
The Honda's and Suzuki's ergonomics are very similar. While some riders prefer the GSX-R's layout with its lower seat height, others feel its clip-ons are angled too rearward. This diagram shows the Suzuki's rearsets in the high/forward of its three positions.
Dragstrip
The Ducati gets the jump at the dragstrip thanks to its lower gearing, but note the shift points: The GSX-R goes as fast in first gear as the 1098 does in second. The Suzuki's tall gearing hurts roll-on performance only at lower speeds. The Honda is simply out of its league in this aspect of the competition.
Dyno: Horsepower | 
Dyno: Torque | 
Roll-On |
SPECS
| DUCATI 1098S | HONDA CBR600RR | SUZUKI GSX-R1000 |
| MSRP | $19,995 | $9499 | $11,399 |
| ENGINE |
| Type | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke 90-degree 4-stroke L-twin | Liquid-cooled, transverse, 4-stroke four | Liquid-cooled, transverse, 4-stroke four |
| Displacement | 1099cc | 599cc | 999cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 104.0 x 64.7mm | 67.0 x 42.5mm | 73.4 x 59.0mm |
| Induction | Marelli EFI, single-valve oval throttle bodies equivalent to 60mm dia., one injector/cyl. | PGM-DSFI, 40mm throttle bodies, two injectors/cyl. | EFI, SDTV dual-valve 44mm throttle bodies, two injectors/cyl. |
| CHASSIS |
| Front suspension | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 5.0 in. travel | 41mm inverted cartridge fork, 4.7 in. travel | 43mm inverted cartridge fork, 4.9 in. travel |
| Rear suspension |
Single shock absorber, 5.0 in. travel |
Single shock absorber, 5.1 in. travel |
Single shock absorber, 5.3 in. travel |
| Front tire | 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro | 120/70-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier PT |
120/70-ZR17 Bridgestone BT-015F N |
| Rear tire | 190/55ZR-17 Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro | 180/55ZR-17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier PT |
190/50ZR-17 Bridgestone BT-015R G |
| Rake/trail | 24.3 deg./3.8 in. (97mm) | 23.7 deg./3.8 in. (98mm) | 25.5 deg./3.9 in. (98mm) |
| Wheelbase | 56.3 in. (1430mm) | 53.8 in. (1367mm) | 55.7 in. (1415mm) |
| Weight | 438 lb. (199 kg) wet; 413 lb. (187 kg) dry | 412 lb. (187 kg) wet; 383 lb. (174 kg) dry | 471 lb. (214 kg) wet; 443 lb. (201 kg) dry |
| Fuel consumption | 33 to 36 mpg, 34 mpg avg. | 36 to 44 mpg, 41 mpg avg. | 34 to 36 mpg, 35 mpg avg. |