Pro Racer’s Take: 2019 Ducati Panigale Meets 1979 Laverda Jota
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
- Our resident pro driver, Andy Pilgrim, has a love for motorcycles and motorcycle riding going way back. In this slightly different episode of Pro Racer’s Take, Andy compares the fastest production motorcycle from the late 1970s, a 1979 Laverda Jota, to arguably the fastest production motorcycle today, a 2019 Ducati Panigale V4S. The result demonstrates just how far motorcycle development has evolved during the past four decades.
In this installment, Andy enjoys taking both machines onto the track at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky; he explores the explosive acceleration capabilities of the Ducati, with its screaming V4 engine pushing it to more than 180 mph in just a few seconds--into a 25-mph headwind, no less. We also enjoy hearing the Laverda’s unique sound, due to its 1000cc, three-cylinder engine having a 180-degree crank, as opposed to the much more common 120-degree crank for three-cylinder motorcycle engines. - Авто та транспорт
I had a 1976 Laverda 3C, a 1200 Laverda Mirage then a 1978 Jota. The Jota had a factory race exhaust on it and gas flowed head and inlets, upgraded valve springs. The fastest speed I reached on my Jota was 153mph (246Kph). It was a bike you had to take command of and ride, the centre stand and alternator cover would scrape when cornering fast. O loved that bike and the sound was like nothing else...like a Lion Roaring!
I had a 76 Jarama, it was modified with the jota parts here in the us. started life as a 3c but was modified by a dealer in Chicago. Fantastic bike for the time.
I own the Jota. The engine is the best entertainment you can have. On low revs it sounds like a weird two cylinder. On higher revs like a piper, and on top speed like a maserati on crack. I am really addicted since 15 years of ownership.
I haven't ridden for years. In my youth (70s/80s) the Jota was already a legend while still in production. But it was heavy, its controls were heavy and it was very hard to ride and corner and control. I am 5'8" and it was a struggle. Honestly, it was too intimidating to be a pleasure. But I still smile when I see one. And smile even more when I hear one.
The Jota was my poster bike as a young man, I remember the issue of Bike, I think Ogri would have approved! 😏
Sure was!
Let's see how that ducati holds up after 40 years.
Both great bikes, but I’d take the Laverda, so much character
I've got an 81 Jota.
I'm so lucky.
The Jota sounds better, looks better and is something that requires real and raw input.
I'm biased.
I was loaned a Jota - it was a bastard. Hard to start by button, try bump starting a Jota in the pissing rain while holding that 9? or is it 11? plate clutch in.... It was not something you nipped to the shops on. That being said, when it was moving, it seemed like an undending stream of acceleration and it handled like it was on rails. It was if you plugged your mind into the bike and it rode itself. The experience was hypnotic. It was the ride of my life. I had other big bikes, but I will never forget the Jota.
Think bump starting in the rain was bad, try snow. The high compression was too much for the starter.
I'd take the Laverda every time, it's going to be slower, heavier and harder to live with, but I had a 120 RGS, and these things have souls the way that the mass produces Ducati never will.
i will have the orange one ta
I was lucky enough to "borrow" a Jota for 3 weeks in '81. A thoroughbred beast with handling that was superb once you'd formed a relationship with it! She never EVER ran out of power, doing over a ton with a cog (or 2) left! I once managed just short of 130 on her I recall brakes that could stop the QE2 & wrist numbing vibrations through the clip-ons. The hairs on my neck prickle as I remember riding her, my best ever 2 wheel experience!
The Jota has a fabulous '60s sports-racing car soundtrack.
Back in Ye olden Days I owned a Le Mans Guzzi...it was sex on wheels...a couple of friends owned a Jota and a Ducati 900SS. When they were parked in the Pub carpark they outshone all the Japanese bikes of the time. If your desire was a racy looking bike in the late seventies it had to be Italian...
Give me the Jota any time amazing machine lucky enough to have ridden 1 in1980
The Jota is a great sport tourer....it's really a once in a life time experience to ride. It's a bike that needs to be ridden smoothly and with precision. It's unique and the engine with the carb pumped key is a massive puller.
That was awesome. Thanks.
Moto Guzzi used upside down forks many, many years ago. In fact, Guzzi were a very pioneering company (most bikers don’t realise this) introducing automatic shifting and dual braking technology way before Honda.
fantastic video!!!
That’s an outstanding description.
I had a jota 180° 82 mod. That was a bike you had to drive yourself. The Ducati does it for you. What's the fun in that?
Great video,great fun. What really brought a smile to my lips was seeing the rider take the “second handful “ on the Jota throttle. The carbs are so heavy the gearing (if you can call it that) on the throttle is very long. To open the taps fully you have to reach around the bars. Love it!
Beautiful bike,really suits that burnt orange color!
I know which one I want and it ain't red.....
Nope! 🧡
we used to ride to the bike shop and stand there and stare at their orange jota for hours till we were thrown out, 1000cc was beyond our comprehension and it looked so good, we earned 12 pounds a week then in the seventies
Why did they name it after a Spanish dance? Because the 'Jota' is a dance in triple time.... Clever hey!
You need to get ahold of a BAC Mono. I'd love to see Andy's "Pro Racer's Take" on that thing.
Lovely laverda
The Ducati is really ugly compared to the Jota....
My 1200 Mirage with a few 'mods' easily did 150mph , not dying was the hard-part . Dave NZ
Not really sure what the point of comparison testing these two bikes?
For fun.
Thought the same until I read the description.
Ok so how does the Jota 180 compare to the Jota 120? The 120 degree crank more commonly used in triples.
still take the jota over the duck any day
Nine hours to remove the front spark plugs from the Ducati. My local Ducati workshop would charge £650 in labour for this but he'll give you the plugs for free.
Glad he doesn’t do that stupid leg dangle thing during braking.
The Jota sounds better.
Absolutely!!!
Jarama racetrack
Jota 1'52"
Panigale 1'34"5
...And 40 years apart. Jota for me - not some stupid, overcomplicated thing that'll spend half its time in the shop.
Oh my mates Jota took 20 k to run in. Different bike after that.
I counted FOUR wheels.
This bloke talks some nonsense.