I'm sure to get shot to bits for saying this but, we are after all, as Consumers, are entitled to our own opinions, and honest debate is good for both mind and soul.. I apologise in advance to any owners of the latter Ducatis as I truly do not wish to offend anyone. It would after all be a very dull world if we all thought or indeed sort the same.. But, I just think the latest designs coming out of VAG / Ducati are missing the elegant and beautiful lines of bikes of previous years.. The Desmo RR and the Panigale aside, I really think it's a becoming much of a muchness, obsessed with size and big bullish shapes even the lovely Monster looks more like a bull shark with plastic cosmetics.. I understand perhaps with VAG now the owners that in some ways they want to attract a younger generation, after all they say their sales are up year on year.. Perhaps I'm now that grumpy old git, but, I can honestly say I won't be rushing to see any of the latter models with credit card in hand.. I'd much rather spend on a, IMO, classic.. I guess the world moves forever onward and some of us get left behind.. Now I realise that the likes of NCR's bikes cost more than the average house, but the design side of it really does not.. Design and concept will always come from some form of inspiration, be it nature or something similar, later, a few roughs produced with a pencil before the computer stage.. Yes NCR use incredible metals etc, but you look at what they create from the original Ducati design and just the elegance alone is astounding.. Simplistic in many ways, something I believe Ducati's designers are missing.. They could still produce those lines in mass produced materials to keep costs relevant.. Less is often more.. If Ducati want to expand the market why not produce a smaller bike a 350 V twin or 500.. Or perhaps a 600 for Moto 2 .. VAG has the resources for design re tooling and production and marketing, but just keep them a little bit special.. Enough said, I've pulled the pin.. That's purely my opinion on the subject, I'm fully aware that a relatively small manufacturer like Ducati can easily go out of business and that would be an awful thought, hence with the backing of VAG it should ensure its future for which I for one am oh so grateful.. Just please keep them at least a little bit special... We all know what it's like to be riding a Stalion from Bologna down our local high road and watching as pedestrians, car drivers etc give your Ducati that look of admiration.. That feeling of riding or owning something so special is priceless, let's keep it that way please VAG..
Might be only available in JAPAN due to some strange license - registration laws over in the Land of the Rising Sun....
Hands up I hadn't seen that.. That's a good move if, as it looks it wants a new market.. Great minds think a like then hey..
I would not say they are losing the plot, just evolving in to a very different type of company to the one that got me interested in bikes back in the 1970`s. They don`t currently make a bike that I would want to buy but that is ok as I`m sure there are a couple of bikes from other factories I could put up with if someone forced me to buy . If it is attention you are after, my big , fat, ugly, roly poly Moto Guzzi gets loads more looks, smiles, and admiring comments than my lovely , lithe Superlight.
I would hazard a guess that it has something to do with developing markets and what sells there. Exotic superbikes are lovely show pieces to show your design and technology prowess but don't sell in big numbers outside of a few superbike/big engine mad countries. Most of Ducati's expansion in sales seems to be in new models tapping into different sectors of the market and different price points rather than a major jump in sales of those we are more familiar with.
For me, if you take the badges of, does it still look and feel like a Ducati should? Edit - and sound.
I agree with the OP and think very similar of VAG Ducati. I don't particularly like any of the current Ducati range, maybe the Monster 1200R, but even that isn't giving me the Ducati yearning that I sadly miss. However, Ducati is a business. VAG acquired Ducati to develop them further and to be more profitable. Which they are. So, whereas the new Ducati does not appeal to me, there are many more that do respond to these styles of bikes and image. And that's what is important.
I had an experience driving day back in 2014 and drove a Lambo. Was so disappointed. Sat behind the wheel the dash, radio, switch gear looked like my A3.
The original Zonda used the same air conditioning unit that I had in my truly shitting awful MG ZS v6 piece of shit shit-mobile.
What Guzzi do you have.. And no I don't think they are ugly.. I was always a fan of the Le Mans back in the day.. And even find some, of the BMW cafe racers rather stunning too.. Onwards and backwards for me hey..
I saw a Diavel in the flesh and thought oh dear.. As I've said each to their own and all plus beauty is in the eye of the beholder..
What's happened is that Ducati, which used to be an Italian company building bikes designed by creative lunatics off their heads on Espresso, opera, Chianti and sunshine is now a German company. They are producing bikes that are designed by Germans but built by Italians. It should be the other way round and then all would be well again.
That's a fantastic reply.. Luv it.. My mTe used to go to the factory often for training via Ducati.. He used to say " Noods, when you buy your next Ducati make sure it's a morning build one" due the fact that about midday the factory would be be off to lunch with wine involved, and would only reappear a couple of hours later.. You wouldn't want Paulo fitting your brakes in the afternoon.. Totally different now with Das Germans..
