Ill probably get it in the neck for this but it looks awful (from the pics ive seen). An attempt to make something designed today to look like something designed then. This is my personal opinion btw but eg steve mqueen's great escape bike looks ok but it was a product of the time - that's how bikes were styled then, it kinda looks ok but id never ride one even if you gave me the chance. Jump back 20 years ago. I had a TDR250 which at the time I thought was the best looking bike ever (id still say to this day it was the best all round bike ive ever owned). Getting all nostalgic last week - went looking for one, saw a fully restored one and thought "yeah - it kinda looks ok but I wouldn't ride one now" I think that's why I like the hyper so much - like a present day version of my TDR but restyled enough to make it different and more extreme Back on track....to summarize - Ducati is the one manufacturer I would have said I would happily ride (and own)anything from their current range - I couldn't say that for any other manufacturer....although that's just about to change. Gentlemen - drag me through the coal's....
Fair play, I have to say I'm not sure I can see 'the point' to the scrambler. I have to say though I don't understand why people buy Ducati's to go touring on... Drag me too?
Well....the multistrada is designed for that job. Although im not a fan of touring - I think its each to his own on that one....ie - go to the TT on my RSV4 - its fine, reasonably comfortable but there's one lad in Australia whose toured all round the coast of Australia on his and, I might add his mum and dad have them as well, and, went with him!! But no - the scrambler looks like an attempt to pull in all the nostalgic middle aged owners with some spare cash to throw around....I think (and hope) it will fall flat on its face.....hey they could have used the R&D/time they spent on that to build a new supernaked.....that's where its at, at the moment - I have considered on many occasions shifting my RSV4 factory for a 1098 streetfighter....I still even consider it now...
Ducati are good at "new" - not at old - their strength which has what has made them what they are now is to innovate I mean most of their catalogue right now is innovative designs.....multistrada, hypermotard, diavel.....and even the bread an butter stuff like the panigale look better than any other sports bike at the moment, RSV4 included...id love a pani but can't afford one, if I could id have to sacrifice the hyper and my current supermoto build job....not happening.
And when I say bread and butter I mean stuff that they build that's on a par with other manufacturer's ie a stock superbike, with the panigale I would say they've designed it with the less is more approach, clean lines, uncluttered bodywork/graphics and a definite lack of flaps and grills a la S1000RR...
I would say the "New" Paul Smart looks Good. How often is the new version of your car or bike is released and you think its rubbish only to want one a few months down the road?
Not that often.....I don't want a new rsv4 (mines a factory 59 plate) - the shape hasn't really changed so its still quite current. My hyper? (1100evo) I do still prefer mine to the new one in some ways - im very 50 50 on the hyper's, however I do thing the new look of the hyper is a good evolutionary step in the right direction. An exception to the rule would be our car - weve got an old 04 plate Megane - I think with the new design they've lost the base look of the car - I like the back end of it, which is what all the adverts were about at the time...I prefer ours. I never said anything was rubbish - just dated in design style.
Unfortunately in this day and age the manufacturers have to keep everyone happy. I won't be a big scrambler fan, not my type of thing, but would still be nice to see them around. Yes spending the groats on R&D is the way forward but its the unit sale that pays for it. Bring it on.
