Ducati-Honda Waiting Game
DUCATI-HONDA WAITING GAME
PUNDITS EAGERLY AWAITing the all-new Honda RC50, tentatively scheduled for release at this fall's IFMA show in Cologne, were disappointed recently when Honda announced it would not formally launch its all-new RC30 replacement until late next year.
They were even more disappointed by Ducati's response to Honda. The Italians say they will hold their 916 Superbike, also expected at IFMA, until Honda releases the RC5O.
Honda is being typically mum about its decision, but the Italians suspect it is related to an understandable desire on the part of the Japanese to be absolutely certain of being competitive with the Ducatis that now dominate World Su perbike racing.
It seems that Honda's deci sion to postpone the launch of the RC5O isn't the only reason
Ducati isn't launching the 916 Superbike, which will replace the 85 1/888 Superbike. That V Twin racebike continues to be more than competitive on racetracks around the world, while the rest of the company's line is selling at record levels, with th~ Bologna factory unable to keep up with demand. So Ducati's management has decided the existing bike is good enough for at least another yeai~
There is one final reason for Ducati's delay of the 916. That involves uncertainty about the rules that will govern the runfling of next year's World En durance Championship-TT Fl rules, as at present, or World Superbike rules, as proposed and expected. With the FIM apparently set to run World Endurance racing to Superbike rules from 1994 on, instead of from 1993 as expected, there was little reason to rush devel opment of the 916.
