It's the bike for me but they do seem to be going for the "lifestyle product". Think Harley and that's how Ducati seem to be heading. Not into the Ducati Cafe concept or for that matter Ducati concept stores (too sterile). It's about the bike and the merchandising goes about as far as a T-Shirt and whatever freebies I can get from the dealer.
Actually, I bet if you opened a Ducati merchandise store on Oxford Street it would do really brisk business. If Victorinox, the Swiss Army Knife company can reinvent itself as an apparel brand, Ducati would have no problem. Let's just hope the marketing people aren't reading this.
I don't mind the branding thing so much.....as long as it has something linking it with the marque. The hats....yeah keep the sun out of your eyes at the track (European rounds) The coats....keep you warm at the track.... The Umbrella....keeps you dry at the track.....(essential for BSB) The t shirts and jumpers, they too have a purpose they show your support for your chosen team at the track. But Ducati coffee machines for your kitchen, aw come on! Keep it real and relative! Ducati branded breakdown cover anyone? :biggrin:
Ducati branded breakdown cover should as standard was invaluable in my first weeks of ownership Nothing like your ducati on the back of a breakdown truck groan ;-)
Im all about the bikes and not that bothered for fluff and merch... Though my tea comes from my Ducati Corse mug and I slug it in my Ducati bathrobe... Such a whore am I.
I too have a ew bits and pieces, though I do collect large numbers of old badges, parches etc. One thing I can't understand is who at Ducati gives Puma the licencing rights, nearly everything they make is just horrible.
I never got the Kylie thing at all......then I went to see her at the M.E.N.........and oh yes.....yes you would!
