An update is hardly a surprise new model though, IMHO. I'm sure it must be something a bit more...well.. surprising than that.
I wish they would hurry up with the 848 Hyper/Multi hybrid. It sounds like the bike for me especially if they build in a little touring capability too.
I'd order one tomorow. Bit cramped on my 696 for my long distance Euro touring and the Multi is just too big for my local riding / commuting needs so this fits the bill. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh, and if it comes with some nice colour coded paniers
Was 'told' by someone in the know that the Baby Pani will be at Milan, suppose it was too much to hope that MCN actually had a proper scoop
Let's face it, you don't need to be Nostradamus to see that the baby Panigale is an inevitability, exactly as the Fast Bikes article points out. Ducati have form here: 748 749 848 - all sleeved-down and near identical to their elder brothers. So 899 looks more than a little likely.
blame the marketing / accountants for that it costs almost as much to produce as a more "upmarket" model takes up production capacity and doesn't bring in the marketing buzz or the added value of more "desirable" models the deleted ss was dropped for a very good reason, every ss they sold was one less 749 they were going to sell
Looks like they have it all covered Scoop : Pas une mais trois nouvelles Ducati 820 Hypermotard, 820 Multistrada et 820 roadster Milan ! - Moto Station From google translate
Three New 820cc Ducatis Could Debut, Says Report Earlier this year, spy shots were released on the Net, showing a relatively small, but a new Ducati motorcycle. The images revealed a bike that seemed like a cross between a Hypermotard and a Multistrada. The bike revealed in the spyshots also showed traits of both the Multistrada and the Hypermotard, leaving everyone confused as to what this new Ducati was. It was also assumed that the new motorcycle could be a new mid range version of one of the two models, sporting a 849cc Testastretta V-Twin engine. On similar lines to the existing 848 mid-range Streetfighter. However, according to a latest report, emerging from Moto-Station, the Italian brand will actually unveil not just one new motorcycle, not two but three new Ducatis, all of which will belong to the mid-range. If this report turns out to be true it would effectively put to rest the confusion over the spy shots, but it does us make us a whole lot more curious as to what the third new motorcycle could be. Also, the new mid-range Ducati Hypermotard, Multistrada and the yet unknown bike are reported to sport an all new 820cc 90-degree V-Twin engine that is said to deliver 115 hp and 66 foot per pound of torque. Not the existing 848cc engine as speculated earlier. The new engine could be Ducati’s answer to the new stricter emission norms. A new, smaller Multistrada would give the brand more teeth to compete in the mid-range touring category, which could see it competing against other 800cc models such as Triumph Tiger 800 and BMW F800GS. The new Hypermotard on the other hand, will most likely replace the Hypermotard 796 version. As for the other unknown model, some speculate, it could be a new Monster, getting an engine refresh. While the Monster is available is already available in the 800cc category, the engine is still old and the highest selling Ducati model does demand a new, cleaner engine. Ducati is expected to showcase all three new motorcycle models at the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA) in November but the first presentation will likely take place at a Ducati event, a few days prior to the Moto Show in Milan. Source: Three New 820cc Ducatis Could Debut, Says Report*|*StudentNews.ie
Cube inflation. You'll have noticed that whereas the 851 was a Superbike, the new 820s are deemed to be middleweights.