That is really fast for a bike of this power. I would have expected that there would be a top speed limiter on the the R3 that would stop it from going quite that fast, even if it was mechanically capable of going that fast.

 

ive noticed and actaully have a tread about my speedo being off and i did 110mph yesterday wich is about 178 kph

 

awesome, and drafting behind a buddy of our's in a truck should help to push it even more

 

Promising for our R3.

 

it sure is.

 

Any predictions on what the top speed of the R3 will be? Higher than 173 km/h I guess.

 

I haven't seen anything mentioned but of course over 173 sure seems possible.

 

Is it possible that picture was taken on a prototype that might not have a rev limiter or top speed limiter installed yet? Or do they want the bike to go that fast so that people can take it to the track?

 

if you want the truth 173 km is not THAT fast, for a motorbike that is. My boss is a Ducatisti and he was telling me he regularly gets up into the 200's when the road opens up...

 

it's quite possible that it was from a prototype, i wouldn't doubt that.

too bad there's not more showing the bike that it was on.

 

Impressive for a 250cc bike most bike shakes and are unstable around that speed.

 

agree, which is what bothers me about those folks who have been complaining since day one that R25 doesnt have this and R3 needs t have that (XBHP comes to mind ) Especially the suspension has been a real point of contention. For a bike that "supposedly" has trash for a frame and trash for a suspension it looks surprisingly stable, for trash that is >

 

I'd bet big money this bike won't touch 112 stock! Love to EAT my words!!!!!! Put a 4' 10" 90# honey on it, all tucked in at say 5 o'clock in the morning (no wind) and... well, you might have a chance.
Man, I sure hope so!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm confident the rev limiter will be above redline like every other bike I've owned. They do it to protect the engine, not to limit speed or for safety concerns. You would likely only reach it going down hill at maybe 118 mph. A small displacement bike like this will be hard to reach red line in 6th gear due to wind resistance. I'm going to say 110 mph actual for the top speed....just a guess. The Ninja 300 top speed is 106 by most accounts. I could never get mine to that speed though....it takes a lot of nerve and a long straight road. Above 90 mph, acceleration was very slow. 95 was as fast as I've been on a Ninja 300. The bike was starting to feel less planted at that speed too. Confession: I have never reached the rev limiter on any bike. I just don't like to ride above red line for fear of damaging the engine.

 

That's about right for the ninja 300. I don't see why anyone needs to ride above red line unless your in a drag strip or track (even then people dont redline at track.)

 

And... just to push the point, you could never trust the bike's speedometer! (always optimistic, 5-7%) A radar gun or GPS is a must if you really want accuracy!!

 

I actually found a smartphone GPS to be great for finding out your speed, surprised how accurate it can be, plus something everyone has.

 

The only bike I have that is accurate is the Zero S. It communicates via Bluetooth with your I-phone so you can adjust regenerative braking, top speed, and power in eco mode via a Zero app. You can also get more accurate read outs of remaining charge, GPS, top speed, etc. then compare the readings from the app on your phone vs. the readings from the bike.

 

I will NOT be thinking about top speed at all when I look at this bike.
I DO want to know that it feels comfortable at motorway/highway speeds - say 70 - 80 MPH..
That will do for me.

How it performs in the mid-range, around the local bends, up the local hills, and general acceleration thrills is key for my purchase.

 

+1. Only reason I look at top speed, it gives an idea of how relaxed it is going to be during everyday ride. Personally I hate motorcycles which are screaming their lungs out at average highway speeds. 120 kmph ~ 7k rpm in 6th gear would be ideal, with enough room for overtakes without downshifts.

 

I read that the R25 puts out 37hp and the R3 is projected at 42hp. So the increase in engine size should be good for another 5hp...?

Do those figures sound about right?

 

Official stats are out, R3 does in fact make 42 bhp.

 

Not bad at all, good guess on Sinjin's part.

 

There is a YT video of an R25 on the track doing 186 (115mph) Id imagine the R3 should hit 190kph (118mph).... if not better.

 

I would be interested to know how that R25 was kitted. Get rid of the fender, and add a Shorai battery and maybe the Akrapovic exhaust and you might see 110mph with that extra 5hp... (5.4hp). Put some BST wheels and drop the weight another 15lbs and it would definitely make it. Provided, of course, that the bike doing 108 was close to stock.

I agree, despite all this, that the R3 is not about top end, but maneuverability around twisty roads or a short track. I think it would be great on some of the back country roads we have north of Dallas.

I ride with some 1199 Panigales and other liter bikes and they just can't use that extra power before heading into the next turn. Coming out of a corner WOT neither can get away from me. Some of the straights are long enough to get up to 130mph or so, but you can't sustain that for long and all it takes is a quick succession of winds and a small displacement engine like the R3 would quickly close the distance.

 

Got to love that little perk that comes with these bikes over the big liters, at least you get to hear the Ducati Symphony

 

Sinjin has point. This bike isnt about power.
Weight reduction>hp gains.

 

Exactly, cut weight and you open up a better riding experience.

Can't wait for the days bikes come with super light frames.... carbon fiber maybe?

 

Yep... And you'll pay big for it!

 

Unfortunately that is the case, even when it comes to cars cutting weight is one of the most expensive things to do if you want to keep all or most of the luxuries that come with it.

Got to pay to play

 

Anyone have a guess on the R3's red line? And it's rpm range at 60-75mph. I'm not concerned if rather or not i can hit 115mph. But how will it feel at 60mph.

 

Good point! But I'd bump that number to at least 70!

 

the R25 peak power is at 12k the R3 is 10,750 rpm if the red line is lower (and it might be with the bigger slugs) and the sprockets are the same than the R25 will be faster on paper.

 

I think the R3 will redline at 12,500, same as the Ninja 300. Think I saw this spec somewhere in fact. It will be doing about 8000 rpms at 80 mph in 6th gear.