I like them but wouldn’t buy one, I’d opt for a Ducati Scrambler instead preferably the Urban Enduro although only available used now.
I like the motard styling (I do run a 939 hyper, so i should like the styling) and could see me having great fun on the back roads on this new un but the price kills the notion. Maybe a used one in a year or two would sit alongside my 939 or even replace it.... I do like me 939 though
The Scrambler has an extra 20hp, but the Fantic is 35Kgs lighter which together with the used price seals the deal. Not to mention the Fantic good looks!
It isn’t for the extra horses that I’d take the Ducati, it’s based purely on styling and the Urban Enduros colour. I like the Fantic it’s just for me the Scrambler wins out.
i kinda like the idea of one particular model of GasGas. half trials half enduro. i forget the name of the model. it would be good for around here. it appears i'm in the process of loosing the DR, but i have the CRF for the odd off road blast. the fugly for a bit of two up stuff and the 848 to remind me i'm useless on a sports bike. if truth be told i'm not even sure at the mo if i will be doing much road stuff in the future after taking a bit of a funny turn going over Glencoe last year after completing a Ducati Manchester run. we will see what happens, something that kicks ass and gets my knee down at lower speeds and wheelies out of corners is my future i think. this model may do that. but brand new aint happening. probably..
This ^. As someone that used to have a KTM 640 SM, I like the idea, but the price is ridiculous. If I was to go back to that sort of bike, the KTM, which is fully developed and a known quantity, is under 10k (under 9k with one Google search), or I can be a test/development rider for a brand new bike for 12k... https://www.premierbikes.com/ktm-motorcycles/supermoto/690-smc-r
I’m sure Ducati will have tested this extensively before launch it’s only the engine that might develop foibles. KTM lump isn’t without fault though and that has a long lineage. They can be had cheaper than the advertised, the GG I bought from a dealer in Mid Wales deal over the phone with my debit card at the ready. Seen them lower than 8K, there are some features that I like on the Ducati but it doesn’t make it 4K extra value and I’m not that much of a brand whore to pay the difference just to have Ducati on it.
The only bike I can recall being as you describe is the old GasGas Pampera, rode one on a green laning day,2 stroke 250 easy to ride off road as the seat height isn’t in pole vaulting territory. There is also the more modern Beta Trainer which is similar. I’d keep the CRF if it’s the 450, from experience this is the ideal capacity for off road and supermoto.
Not sure they are really the same thing. The 698 is about 40kg lighter. Its 150kg ready to go, that is very light.
They aren’t the same by any measure other than styling. It would seem that Ducati have priced it close to the Hyper when possibly expectant Ducatiistas were expecting a more reasonable 10K. It isn’t 3-4K more than it’s direct competition, even with the better dash and tech pack IMO. Even KTM find it a hard market as these are bought as second or third bikes from what I’ve seen on the KTM/Husq/GG pages.
I think the market in France and Italy is much bigger for these type of bikes. I doubt they are expecting to sell many in the UK.
It is and has ever been thus. I lean more that they’re looking at the Far East these days more than Europe/America.
Was chatting to the guys at a Ducati dealer today, they’re also surprised at the high cost. But agreed that at £99 a month, which is what Ducati is aiming for, the price of the bike is irrelevant, sadly.
Got a reply from Ducati about a test ride, no bikes until around new year. At that time of the year I will have zero interest in riding one. I’ll wait until spring.
Why, oh why don't they just put this into a sports bike chassis - effectively a mass-production SuperMono? It would be utterly epic for both twisty roads (remember the SZR600 & BB1?) and for tracks like Cadwell.
Totally agree... is there anyone that still builds bikes like that ? E.g. Roy Thursby - but with modern looks ? I'd settle for retro tbh... But proper wheels, brakes etc
Husqvarna binned their single cylinder vitpilen due to lacklustre sales, I doubt Ducati wish to repeat.
