[Heavy-Dee]

So Eric B on the duck turned a 1:48.8 (I think that was his best lap) w/ a top speed of 183. With the Honda's doing 1:47's at 192 mph, can the duck hang? Will the Susucky boys step it up and quit whining?

What are your predictions? I know it is really early, but all this speculation is fun!

Eboz has already proven that he can hang in the points race on lesser equipment. I wouldn't call the 999 'lesser', but early numbers point to a CBR 1000 dominance. So if we make the assumption that the 999 is not up to CBR1000 standards it would appear that Eboz is pretty much back in the same shoes he was in a Kwak. Will brother Ben and his teammates Duhamel and Zemke all three duke it out and leave the rest of the field behind? Will Mladin and Yates resign themselves to do 'more with less' and make themselves competitive again? Will Austin Ducati get the 999 tweaked w/ Ducati Corse's help and allow Boss Hog challenge the Honda boys?

Time will tell, but let's hear your appinions......

HD

[Repsol_69]

My thought are that the Ducati is going to be able to lay the power down better than the CBR. More HP isn't always the answer. EB is great in the turns, and what do Ducs do best!

EB was on a MUCH lesser machine last year and he did quite well. This year he is only on a slightly lesser machine, If that.

I put my money on EBos, but refuse to count out Miguel on an inline 4. Those who remember Miguel on I4 will most likely agree. Though you have to consider that fact that Ben is laying down some serious times.

No matter how you slice it. This season is going to be good!

[BDA116]

Miguel on an I4? He's been riding them in 600 Supersport, but not Superbike.
He rode an I4 Superbike for a very short time for Kawasaki, but other than that no I4 Superbikes for Miguel.
I belive you are referring to the V4 RC45. Yes, he came to terms with that beast very quickly and would have been the first man to 4 titles - maybe even 5 - had it not been for a nasty accident at Loudon almost killing him and making one leg shorter than the other (along with the BS points system that robbed him in '96 and '97).

I honestly don't think that Eric will come to terms with the Duc fast enough to win the title. He will win races, but I think the swap to the twin and Michelins will slow him for the first half of the season.
I'd put money on Ben Bostrom for the title, with DuHamel a couple race wins shy.
But my money is on Miguel for the Daytona win, if not another Daytona Double.

[Repsol_69]

Ya know what...

For some reason I was thinking the Smokin' Joes bikes were Inline 4's. My bad!

http://www.artlee.com/smokinj.jpg

I think Miguel has one more championship left in him, although I thought the same thing about Doug Chandler.

Eric and Ben will make for some really good racing i think. Depends on how bad Eric wants it. I agree with coming to terms with the Duc, but i would say, he will do it in less then half. Hopefully the Michelins will be a change for the better for him. I really wanna see him win a championship.

can't wait

[luvtolean]

Mladin...err...

[thebackdraft]

No matter how you cut it I think its going to be an all out dog fight till the end. I would really like to see the Honda boys towards the front and fighting eachother for the #1 plate. It would be good to see BBoz, EBoz, or especially Miguel take it. Zemke can have it next year.

[partridge]

I have seen new racebikes from Honda come out and win Daytona, then win the entire AMA Championship. But, then i have seen what happened to CBR600RR, (win Daytona, not win championship)

The new Honda this year (CBR1000RR) looks real good. I feel strongly it will win Daytona, if tires hold up. It can win championship but strong challenge from Suzuki and Ducati 999. My pick Ben Bostrum. Emphasis may not be AMA Superbike this year. AMA Superstock is where all other liter-bikes will compete. Again, the Hondas seem at this time to be the strongest.