Well I have had everything from a SF V4, SF V2, M1000R, KTM 890R over the last 2-3 years and now the Monster SP which is the lowest power of any of them but is the most useable on the road today. I dare say on the Monster and 890R they are quicker through the country roads and the Monster despite only having 110-115hp has more low down torque than my V2 SF. A 125hp bike could be ideal for country road use. Not in a Panigale or Streetfighter though, if your buying one of them you want more for your money.
all of this is 100% correct and valid,… except… why should we as consumers look to go and replace/upgrade to a new product that’s 30hp less than the one we have sat in the garage, when the benefit is being lost somewhere in the exhaust system. maybe for new Ducati buyers, or people making a conscious decision to step away from the mental V4’s etc then perhaps, but for all of us with 899/959/Panigale V2 and even those with supersport, monsters etc, it’s going to be more challenging to want to rush out and change to this
Started my Ducati journey with 900ss then ST4s then MTS1200 pre DVT. After that I did not like the engines at all, totally lost interest for me and left the brand, which with those bikes I owned will always hold a very special place in my heart ❤️
But isn’t that just technology moving forward? As I said, if they still made what they were making 20 years ago then they would no longer be in business or their top line superbike would still make 150bhp and every one else’s would be making 200bhp. It wouldn’t sell. I appreciate that to us bikes are a hobby/way of life etc but to Ducati they are a business.
You are correct, it is “moving forward “. But I don’t get the same connection with today’s Ducati that I did before. So I switched brands and now ride a Yamaha. Why you may well ask. It does everything the MTS did with no electric issues, far easier to set up suspension etc. Fast enough as it’s the rider that counts and all at 55mpg since I got it. However what a thrill to visit Ducati factory, would I do a Yamaha factory visit, not in a million years. But I bought one of their bikes and not a Ducati.
Yes things move 'forward'. But I still play music via a nice amp and good speakers. I also still buy vinyl. New doesnt necessarily mean better. All 'new' is, is yet another oppurtunity to sell you the same thing you already got. Thats marketing.
Hmmmm.... as many of you know I already own a Ducati 890,built by John Hackett and producing 129bhp at the rear wheel with more torque than the new one and as Michael Neaves said when he road tested it in MCN "The best bike Ducati never made!" Progress,what progress!
