Wouldn't hold your breath, though I wish for the same. I'll buy the Monster R on release. I fully accept my error in selling my 1098SF and the Tuono, whilst brilliant is just not the same.
I'm singing that same song and have been for a long while. I lost patience and bought a new Tuono last year which, though epic to ride, doesn't have the Ducati charm (and I refuse to rant again about Aprilia shit customer support). I saw the other thread about the boy spotting a naked Panigale with high bars whilst on the factory tour. If that is the real thing then I'll be happy. End of the day big nakeds are my bikes and the more choice Ducati give me then the happier I am.
So I was 100% right then. They won't make an SF when they can just make a super monster, audi got them by the bizzness balls. Those of us wanting an SF are probably a tiny minority. The next announcement will be for the christmas cake with a very rich base, a lot of alcohol and lashings of carbon all over.
Anyone know what the sales figures for the 1098SF were? every thread seems to turn into talk of it even though this was a thread about the 899, so would be good if someone knew whether it was a popular bike or not. I am in the don't care camp, if I want a naked, I would buy a Monster, if I want sport bike performance I buy a sport bike. Additionally though you just have to consider that people also buy Ducati's because of the heritage, so a 'Monster' has a brand name that people recognise, where as with 'Streetfighter' I think 'crappy Bandit with some flat (normally anodized gold) bars, stupid aftermarket headlight and crappy half chromed rims, or stretch swingarms.. Because when I started riding in 2000 they were everywhere. Gash.....
I'll tell you one thing - the Multistrada was Ducati's most popular bike for the last few years running, outselling everything else. For 2015? The Scrambler is outselling the Multistrada by 2 to 1.
I remember reading that less than 100 SF were sold in the uk it might have been the 848sf launch report on visor down
It's funny how much opinions can differ, after riding the Tuono I found myself wondering why people bother with twins! The V4 tears the arse out of the L-twin in every department in my opinion. Horses for courses I guess!
I wouldn't consider myself a 'twin' rider given the chance but u do get used too it, and the revving nature of the 899 has really suited my style more having come from the triple. Does still feel odd working big Pistons that hard though!
Different character isn't it. The Tuono V4 is something else, makes a great noise and goes like the stink when you wind it up. However, there's something about a big thumping V-twin that just speaks to me. The air-cooled lump in the Monster 1100 I had was so characterful, not fast or aggressive, neither easy or smooth in traffic, but so much charm.
We also get bored - I think your bad experience with Aprilia probably helped you get board quickly! I thought I had found driving perfection with the 899 but track days ruined it as a road bike for me. In an ideal world I would have the Tuono and 899 in the garage.
I am lucky as I have the 848 SF its an awesome bike to ride but I have been spoilt with the power of the 1199 now I want both in one bike. Where the hell are the bars going to be fitted ?