[Doomwitha929]

The tubular style frame on Ducs is every bit as good as the style jap bikes use and honestly has some benefits. Steel has more progressive fatigue characteristics and tubes can be combined in a manner that makes an extremely ridged structure with very little actual material. If its crashed or tweaked it can actually be fixed and not just tossed in the trash and a new high dollar frame bought to replace it. A steel frame can flex if needed and not instantly loose all its strength like aluminum does. To be honest the real reason modern Jap bikes probably use the aluminum spar frames is most likely cost. They can be made in a couple simple steps with minimal assembly and minimal parts while needing no surface finishing and only some clear coat to fight oxidizing.
As for putting it against the GSXR 750 lets do it. The GSXR makes more power but don't think it will win any where else. The 848 is every bit as good on the track (which really is what matters in the end) and anyone that can ride knows big HP is not what makes you or a bike fast.
I could be wrong about the cost thing etc etc but thats my bet. ANyone in the industry that could shed some light on that?