Yes. Why are so many manufacturers doing that? It doesn't look cool, it looks ridiculous, like there's a bit missing which there is. A mudguard serves a purpose - the clue is in the name. These idiotic skimpy offerings ruin the engine finish and make riding in the wet an utter misery, which surely matters on a bike pitched as a cool urban commuter. Don't sell fender extenders, make the bloody thing the right length in the first place.
Last few posts and it has suddenly hit me: There is almost nothing to repaint on a Scrambler, so you can easily and cheaply have any colour your want. This is excellent news. Also, there are bound to be proper mudguards available in a trice, so you can replace the pathetic OE offering with a more sensible one. How much will that cost? Not much. In this way, a customised Scrambler is going to be available for anyone who can afford the bike. This has got to be good news.
Not limited to Scramblers but surely they could sell bare frames to the public. That way you can customise your bike any way you like, by having, oh, I don't know ... wheels, forks, an engine perhaps ... unch: It's this idea that you sell a bike with rubbish parts, or no parts at all, and then the buyer is forced to get some after-market thing to make the bike practical/usable in real terms. I remember being mildly irritated that my 999 came with no rear hugger, and it was the first thing I had to buy for it. The lack of a front mudguard though, that's unacceptable. You shouldn't have to accessorize essential* items. * yes, I said essential. What kind of bike is it and does it rain where you live, etc?
a buyer to be forced to get aftermarket parts? i don't think so. rubbish parts? not really. It's a minimalistic bike that is made to have companies develop parts for it. not necessary or essential for the person buying a scrambler having to buy it.
It's a question of degree - how much of a standard production model bike should represent the baseline of what ought to be supplied by the manufacturer? There are components that most will agree upon - frame, engine and such - and there are some components that are subject to opinion - huggers, mudguards, etc. My baseline won't be the same as everyone else's, no matter how right I am
While we're at it, all bikes should be fitted with rad guards. And decent ones. Not something attached to the matrix with cable ties. No manufacturer sends a car out with an unprotected radiator stuck out in the breeze waiting to land the owner with a four figure bill at the first stone. And fitting a rad or oil cooler low down right behind an unguarded front wheel isn't weight saving, minimalism, a blank canvas for customisers, or even cost cutting when an over-priced pair of after-market guards are less than £100, its stupidity.
To me no it's Nothing like a KH, now all those were and still are truly beautiful bikes I must admit.. From what I've heard VAG Ducati are trying to appeal to the first bike market along with grown up BMX riders.. I disagree with the Monster comment someone posted that they are ugly! What an m900 ugly? Beauty is in the eye and all that but please note specsavers are open 7 days a week now... I can see the mainstream vibe VAG are looking for yes, but the lust brigade need to be looked after too.. TBH I think Ducatis design team went on a long tea break a few years ago now.. If they are not careful they will lose many loyal subjects to the likes of Aprilia and MV.. But that's just my opinion... Give me a 916 any day.. Oh and a youngsters spine to be able to ride one .. X
I love the way people think they're a bit special cos they've got a sportsbike. What's wrong with building a Scrambler or a Diavel or a Fuglystrada? They're all good bikes and Ducati build loads of them so that they can afford to compete at the highest level of motorsport. What's wrong with that? Why do the sportbike riders feel the need to berrate everyone else? (especially when haven't got a clue how to ride the fucking things). If you're really desperate to feel elitist and dangle your bank statement from your trousers, go buy a Bimota...Oh, hang on, aren't they building tourers now..?
Careful dude your in danger of generalising massively there!!!!! I'm an out and out sportsbike fan and yet I love the scrambler looks, I personally didn't like some aspects (suspension and snatchy throttle) but I do love the look and love what they are trying to do with the bike. And I know quite a few others that do also... I do think though that the 400 version is just too much money, they needed to try and put £1500 between them and try and get a sniff of that a2 first bike market from the mt-07
Not at all Fig - got an RSV4 factory - wouldn't class myself as special in any shape way or form...finished building my supermoto a couple of weeks ago and been having loads of fun on that (leant against the wall outside my office as I type). Although having said that im getting itchy feet for another hypermotard 1100.... I think (from my point of view) its a case of looks - it really isn't for me on multiple levels....I sat on one in Riders and almost felt embarrassed to be seen on it...it did kinda feel like a kids bike from the 70's (the way the bars are set). yes, I can see why people like them and see why people don't - its argument that'll never be won as its down to personal preference. Going back to the comment "especially when haven't got a clue how to ride the fucking things" - I would class myself as a novice (only got my knee down on it a handful of times) but, the scope is there for me to learn, and have fun, afterall that's why were here aren't we! The type word always comes over as argumentative but its not angled that way fig....honest!
That's the problem isn't it. One's thoughts can be somewhat twisted on the interweb. But there's no doubting some of the thoughts on this thread. What I don't understand is how people can utterly despise something without even trying it. You can never know which flavour you like best until you've tried them all...
Well, fig - I did to a certain extent - I sat on it - that really was enough for me...! but as we've agreed - it really is subjective...
