i think Ducati should offer a lowering option for the sports bikes, there are quite a few lads and lasses out there that would appreciate this option. I know there are arguments for and against, but at the end of the day its sales and the marque that count. i know my Angie would love an 848 but at the moment it would have to go to a specialist and be cut and carved etc, if one were available off the shelf she would jump at it, even at a premium price. The resale would also be favourable because they would predominantly sell to the shorter rider.
What's clear from everything that has been said so far is everyone wants something different... They just want the brand to succeed. We all think sportsbikes as the big sellers but that isn't the case in most countries... Look at European scooter sales as an example, I also recall WDW was full of hypers, SF and monsters not many sportsbikes, the multi sells by the bucket load lets not forget.
You can't argue with success. As the average Ducati owner appears to be 46 and a bit, I suppose the whole market is heading towards less bendy people who don't want to be bent double on an out and out sports bike. Certainly Ducati have abandoned the sports tourer. They say it's the Multistrada. From a marketing point of view, it's hard to argue with them. I'm just in a minority. But back in the day there was the 900ss which was the less full-on sportsbike vs the 851 and 916. No such alternative exists anymore. It's all niche toys. A pity as the modern day equivalent of a 900ss - ie a less full on sports bike - would be a hoot now. Quite enough of everything but more affordable.
I agree with you Glid on most of the points, particularly with reference to the Average age being 46 and the future possible need for a more rider friendly riding position, but i feel it really does need to be a full on tourer. I speak from experience, i am on my 4th Kawasaki GTR 1400, i absolutely love the bike but could be tempted to change if the right package came along.
Ah, I see where I've been getting confused now. I guess we're all pitching in ideas that we like to see on ANY Ducati, which I think is valid info for Ducati. If the point of the exercise is just to sell bikes (I have no doubt this is their motive), then yes, comfy road bikes with loads of torque I thought Ducati were hoping to get peoples thoughts on a RACE bike, to homologate for racing. Sorry for my confusion
I love my st4s,but if it had another say 20bhp and lost a good 10 kilos it would be almost perfect.Now get a headlight that is better than the 2 lumen candle that's on there now and I'd could be perfect.Oh how I dream about riding at over 50 mph on a dark country road.Not sure if misremembering but the old round H4! Lights on my GS750s etc were a damn site better than the last few Ducati excuses for a headlight,shame on you Ducati ,otherwise we love you.
I think this is a very fair point. The smallest Monster is now a 695? They could do a 500 to make the 47 bhp power law, and while we're at it let's have the 500 in SS and Multistrada flavours whilst we're at it, or maybe even a small trailie? Park firmly on the Suzuki SV/Kawasaki ER/Honda CB lawn. If the Monster can be restricted then fair enough, but let's have the little motor in a sports-type frame for people. Once this is achieved, I'd like to see an 1100SS as an alternative for these small bike riders to graduate to, instead of a supersports 600. They also need to make them more practical, with voluminous metal tanks, and serious headlamps.
Some really great suggestions and some vcery clever thought out replies too..... Gonna go off and work on mine !
Just give me good looking, updated engine management (pulls without rattles from low revs, idles, starts!), great midrange grunt, 1100 CC, 2 (or 4) valve aircooled updated lightweight SuperSport with a decent road riding position, DIY service optimised engine and I'll be happy. Or - make an updated ST3 with even better looks (some would say just good looks!) for those who ride longer trips. Jim
A post-modern 1200ST. With the grunt in the mid-range. Sub 200 KG fully-faired with panniers & box. Tour/Eco/Nutter modes. Air-cooled SS revival - simple light fun Cal on the Desmo - fuck corporate Audi and their continuing string of shite yank pilots that are there just to sell bikes across the pond - give us a winner - at least a trier. With natural talent.
I also thought the question was 'what Ducati to homologate the next great sports bike on' so tourers etc are out of scope or, in fact, toned down iterations of said sports bike Still think light as poss with 200hp wold do it ;-)
I'm just a newbie on here but I think we should look at this the other way round: Ducati more than any other motorcycle company ever (with the possible exception of Norton) is a company built on race success. So any Ducati sports bike is going to be built to race and win in WSBK and ideally win in Superstock racing as well. What I'd like is for the question to be broader what rule changes would you make to WSBK to make it more successful and what bike would you like Ducati to build to win in that championship? Once you look at it that way it becomes much easier IMO. WSBK Lower minimum weight - it's insane that production bikes with their road gear on can be close to the minimum weight limit. Lets say 150kg with a minimum rider and bike weight of 210kg ready to race but without fuel. No traction control No abs Control ECU That keeps costs down and makes bikes like the S1000RR unrideable (really: they are impossible without TCS) V-twins: 1200cc triples: 1100 fours and up 1000cc No limit on fuel/tank size So: What bike would I like Ducati to build? A motor that is half way between the 1198 and the 1199 engine: torquey and powerful with a soft bottom end - pulls from 2000-5000 but doesn't really come in until 6000 but pulls like a train from there to 11000. Slipper clutch A sane riding position. Has anyone sat on a KTM RC8R? Ducati need to learn the word 'ergonomics' when designing superbikes. How can the Diavel and the Multistrada be so well thought out and every Ducati superbike since the 888 be a piece of medieval torture equipment? Looks? Don't know what the consensus of opinion is but it's difficult to bear the Panignale if you ask me.
