Perhaps the new CEO is thinking along the lines of alternative technology as the internal combustion engine is coming to the end of its shelf life???
The general perception between the Ducatis and the BMW is interesting. Most people will say that the Panigale has at least won BSB and the BMW has not won anything (TT not mentioned...). I didn't realise before I started racing but the S1000RR absolutely cleans up in superstock and club racing with really just a decent set of suspension,exhaust system and body kit for perhaps three or so grand; it literally has won everything many times. It's very rare to see a Panigale in Superstock or Club Racing mainly due to the perceived running cost but also because Ducati dont make it particularly easy for people to go racing. To get comparable engine performance to the BMW you need to buy an R which is £10k more to begin with and then you need to spend another £3.5k on cans, plus all the other usual stuff. The stock ohlins suspension is very good but its still not as good as the stuff you would buy aftermarket for the BMW for high level club racing so thats another few grand. Its pretty easy to see yourself coming to £35k just to go club racing, and you'd definitely need all the posh stuff to do BSB Superstock level. I would really love to be racing Ducati and still hope that I will at some point. I seriously considered taking my R for a few races to see how I went but it was impossible to even get it past scrutineering without spending several thousand pounds on aftermarket cans simply because you can't fit a belly pan on the R stock akropovics cans because the cats make them too wide!! To spend a premium buying the R (ace) model and then find you can't go racing is really frustrating. Ducati need to start selling a non road legal race version of the V4 in my opinion since the road regulations have taken the bikes too far from what the race bikes look like due to all the added junk. Ducati put a lot of resources into BSB and WSB because they get way more publicity but those bikes are £50-100k more than what you buy in the showroom. I can't help but be more impressed with the BMW winning the superstock class. The other thing of serious note is that BMW will sell you a superstock tuned engine for £13k and guarantee it for two years. No one else does that. I like my bikes small and light to chuck around hence preferring the Panigale over the heavy BMW but to race them you have to be practical and think about the realities like cost.
You have one Dave. With 10k you could be on a BSB Superstock grid, and be competitive. Then probably still ride it to the shops
Personally, I'm with others on here, and Ducati need to ease up a bit with their prices. When I looked at a 1260 Multi earlier in the year and asked the guy why it had jumped near 2k since the 1200 DVT, he said it was down to Brexit and the exchange rate ? What utter bollox !! Global fluctuations in currency are absorbed through the many nations they sell to, so that didn't ring true at all. Does this mean Ducati will drop all the prices when the pound regains stability ? I think not. For me, binning Ducati was fairly easy as their attitude towards the price hikes was of the "we don't give a feck, as they will still sell cause we're Ducati" mentality, which only served to piss me off. I'm not sure what the solution is, but whacking great lumps on the prices, and then refusing to move an inch, is not one of them imo.
ALL ducatis sold in India currently are made in Thailand. This is good for us, as India has a special trade agreement with Thailand which keeps duties low.
It helps with the perception of brand exclusivenes though. And keeps away the riffraff Any Tom, Dick and Harry can afford to buy a KTM
Lots of rumours that Michael Rutter might run a V4 Panigale next year both at the TT and in Superstock.
Makes sense as the BMW is all new for ‘19 so the bike will need development either way. Rutter and Ducati is a nice combo. Bloody love Rutter.
Sthou is like god mode on a fps. Its just too easy. Even I could probably put one on a grid somewhere and Im a twat. However I should state I have an irrational hatred of that badge and could be basing it all on some bias. Probably am really. Im in denial. Everyone needs something to hate. I hate bmw's. I can live with that. Theyre great bikes but I'd prefer a K5. Its all the other stuff I like. Not just going fast. I'd be a shit racer as I just want to fuck around.
It’s worth getting over. The HP sauce is just stupidly fun. GS is ace too. And as SWMBO was looking for her first “big” bike and she’s small, G310R fit the bill nicely and was peanuts to buy. £3700 for that, or £5k+ for a Scrambler 62? No contest.
Reality is in business grow or die. Do Ducati still only have one factory, they should have 5 by now! When I went to Bologne it was just a nip up from hobby built.
It would be awesome if that happened, I'd love to see the Pani around the TT. It would be interesting to see what they would need to do to make it TT friendly since it's very flighty and track focused. The BMW does so well because it's so stable, but that struggles more in the corners and fast direction changes where the Pani excels.
Have you had a tear up on track with one yet? I read you'd had a road ride. Just wondered your thoughts on track
I suspect the reason for the threats of a Ducati sale is because the boss of VAG was defeated the last time he tried and only recently https://www.motopinas.com/motorcycle-news/report-ducati-sale-halted-by-vw-board.html
No mate, I'd love to. I'd definitly not be able to afford the R if I couldn't resist buying the S now though! No idea what way I'll go yet as the racing changes everything and I always need to reduce stress on that side. I'm leaning towards staying with the R6 next year for the Endurance racing so ideally I'd like to have a couple of them, but I also fancy doing some litre class sprints as well. Alternatively perhaps use the big bike for Endurance and the R6 for sprints but the Endurance is the priority with the team and I dont really want to get sucked into the higher cost cycle of keeping the big bike going.
Yeah, I've noticed a few of these race boys buy 2 bikes! Eeek! I shared a garage with a friend of mine who rocked up with 2 new GSX-R1000's. And I thought my Mrs was understanding He's got it bad right now... getting bloody quick though- flew round the outside of me down Craners. The twat! Just when I thought I was 'on it' Oh dear, never mind...
Its ridiculous, it really can soak up whatever gold coins you have available and still ask for more. Its so stressful when something breaks that you end up willing to do anything to try and mitigate that including spare bikes....!
