I doubt this is the last hurrah for the L twin for Ducati. That was done some time ago with the 1198 - the last proper Ducati Sportsbike that was true to their history, trellis frame, belts, under seat exhaust, sswa, desmo valves etc. The issue was ad still is their racing success of the last few years, rather lack of. The funding that Honda/Yamaha etc have is huge and Ducati were struggling. Ducati over the years has become a brand linked to mostly to wealth. Some say that's sad - look at all those bikes ridden by people who know nothing other than, "oh yeah, that was once in a movie".... I say great, as long as the money keeps coming in, they can still develop their race bikes and produce fast stuff for the amateur track day hero. A win-win. The SL1 was an experiment and boy did it work. Take a stock bike, make it super light, trick paint scheme and then lots of media interest saying "you must have this, it's the best" and boom - all units sold. But what is the point of the SL? It's a marketing gimmick, just like "what the people want". The latest iPhone, the latest Samsung, the latest Bmw, the latest Audi - the latest jarred bloody fresh air. It's just a game and Ducati are playing it well. Yes, I'm sure the bike will be very very impressive, but will it be as close to the current WSBK bike.... for less that £100k... I doubt that very very much. The closest racing to street bikes Ducati have even done were the Desmo and I think the 749R - that little known bike that most ignore. When Ducati made specials, the normal had R, RR, SP or SPS at the end. If you want a proper Ducati sports-bike that will financially stand the test of time (not sure I can actually get away with saying that), then buy an R, SP or SPS. They are what Ducati made because they were special, a link to their racing heritage, but for the road. Maybe I'm just getting old....
I don't really get the whole 'proper Ducati thing' Like everyone they have to move with the times/technology. And trellis frame in this day and age is like sticking leaf springs on the back of a 911.
If you want a proper Ducati sports-bike that will financially stand the test of time (not sure I can actually get away with saying that), then buy an R, SP or SPS. They are what Ducati made because they were special, a link to their racing heritage, but for the road. Maybe I'm just getting old....[/QUOTE] I agree. The Panigale has become Ducatis Christmas tree. Every year they ad a few more sparkly bits to sell a few more. Even though I own one I don't think they will ever be as special as the older superbikes.
I agree. The Panigale has become Ducatis Christmas tree. Every year they ad a few more sparkly bits to sell a few more. Even though I own one I don't think they will ever be as special as the older superbikes.[/QUOTE] Ahh that makes more sense You could be right ..
The SL1 was a serious piece of kit and far from a Christmas tree, as Michael Rutter demonstrated in PB magazine showing how its quicker than the current 1199R. Can't see the new one being anything other than an improvement on that. Trellis frames etc are no longer cutting edge technology (though they have a place) and Ducati need to be making sportsbikes at that cutting edge. They always have done and its part of their history.
I like these special editions, the later S and R bikes dont have quite the trickness of the older bikes and its nice to see extreme technology being tried and used. Ducati are leading the world and the other factories showing whats possible, and that kudos passes down to the rest of the models in part as ducati get associated with super trick tech.
Manufacturers clearly have to move with the times of die. People will always have their favourites. I'm stuck in the 90's, others will be beardy bevel fans. Still love seeing the latest gear though.
I'm biased as I've not been riding long and have not owned the earlier bikes but for me the different models of Panigale have been very solid steps and the latest 1199R and 1299 are the pinnacle of that development. It's being proven on the race track with Chaz and Shakey this year as well. The small changes between 2012 and 2014 make the 1199 a more finished article but it's still very raw and race bike like which isn't to everyones taste, especially if they are using it on the road a lot. The 1299 is a very big step in making it accessible for everybody riding in changeable road conditions but retaining the lightweight race bike feel over the competition. It seems the more exotic you go with materials and technology the bigger steps in price. Most people cannot justify an extra £5k for the engine in the 1199R but I dont think there is anyone who has bought one who would say it is not worth it. It's a lot more difficult to convey just how much better it is because it's about more than headline grabbing numbers. The Superleggera is another step up that I can't justify purely for money reasons and the way I use the bikes but I'd love to own one if I could do so. If you have the cash to enjoy it then it's a good option between an R and a full blown World Super Bike that's going to cost £150k and not be road legal.
Nobody has to drop a deposit on the bike without seeing it if they don't want to. The invitation gives you the details of how to book an appointment at the Factory to view the bike should you wish to. Dealers have seen it at the dealer conf a couple of weeks ago, so they know the score and will know their customers to allow them to make the right calls to potential customers. Anyone who walks into the dealer and asks will get the same info - the dealers can issue logins for the website as well. This is how high-end sales works!
I think what I was saying is that the SL1 has no affinity with the current Corse Superbikes. Ducati's road specials (RR, R, SP, SPS) have always historically had direct or homoligation ancestry to their races bikes. The SL and to a point the current R don't. They're not even close. I do agree that Ducati has to move with the times, heck a V4 is being rumored for next year.
How close is the current R model to that used in WSBK, BSB or any other superbike/supersport category?
I get where you're coming from ; £30k bike compared to a ~£100 - 150k or whatever it is. What I mean is has it always been this big a differential? I think I do remember reading something from Foggarty saying you could go out and buy a Ducati for £16k and win races, which is a pretty massive amount of cash back then??
Exactly. Ducati of old (I am getting old), had superbikes in their product range that were much closer to their race bikes. Sure, the rumour is that the new SL (Project 1408) is close to the WSBK, but it's not a homologation of that... but then again, neither is the D16RR.... so many maybe I should just drink some more single malt...!
Will you lot stop bickering and somebody buy one? Honestly, tight as a ducks ar.......... Just kidding......I have no money so just want some of you richer than me to end up £70k worse off
