Ducati getting on the Yamaha V-Max and Harley Davidson V-Rod bandwagon

[Indetrucks]

Pretty Fugly if you ask me...
But then again, the "spy pics" of the Desmo were pretty outrageous as well.
Anyway, still not my cup O'tea.

Full Story Here (http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2009/06/ducati-vyper-rumor-wont-go-away/)

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Ducati_Vyrus-thumb.jpg

[MojoNoGo]

Oh, that's unfortunate.

Ducati would be able to do something really nice. They just need to retain their uniqueness. That thing looks like a failed attempt to emulate an already horrendous looking motorcycle.

Targeted directly towards the Baby Boomers, I'm sure. Everybody's favorite cash cow demographic.

[spider]

Ducati is following Porsche's footsteps. Just hope it turns out alright.

[-jro-]

bump: update: http://hellforleathermagazine.com/galleries/ducativyperspy/ducati-vyper-4.php


fugly...makes me want to punch babies :wtf1

[SatansSquirrel]

Its just a clay mockup - sure it would be done up quite nicely if Ducati did it. But yeah.. kind of lame for a pure sport motorcycle manufacturer to go after this segment. Didn't Harley enlist Porsche to design the V-Rod?

[Markbone]

ughhh makes me want to vomit

[Asian Dave]

I hope they make it and it's godly expensive.

It'll make it easier to spot the douches.

[mofo]

I've seen worse bikes than that ...

[FightingChance]

Eh... I'm not too sore about it.

Things like the V-Max have a place here, specifically; America is large, with many flat and straight roads. There's a reason drag racing and muscle cars were born here. It's just one facet of motorcycling, and to built products that cater to a market that does exist is fairly prudent in my opinion.

Does it dilute the purity of the idea of Ducati? Yes. Is the potential profit and new market worth that dilution? Could be. It saved Porsche. Ferrari hasn't needed to.

[wsmc27]

I've seen worse bikes than that ...

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL KATANA!!!

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1983-suzuki-katana-1100-01.jpg

...so eighties, eh?

[mofo]

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL KATANA!!!

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1983-suzuki-katana-1100-01.jpg

...so eighties, eh?


Naked would look so much better.

[mofo]

Eh... I'm not too sore about it.

Things like the V-Max have a place here, specifically; America is large, with many flat and straight roads. There's a reason drag racing and muscle cars were born here. It's just one facet of motorcycling, and to built products that cater to a market that does exist is fairly prudent in my opinion.

Does it dilute the purity of the idea of Ducati? Yes. Is the potential profit and new market worth that dilution? Could be. It saved Porsche. Ferrari hasn't needed to.


"Aaaaahhhhh"


http://www.realty4atlanta.com/files/2008/07/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel1.jpg

[Josh]

Hoolie's fault.

[FightingChance]

BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL KATANA!!!

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1983-suzuki-katana-1100-01.jpg

...so eighties, eh?

So much better than the awful, amorphous blob it later became:

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/suzuki/2005/21381_0_1_2_katana%20750_Image%20credits%20-%20Suzuki.jpg

[-jro-]

Eh... I'm not too sore about it.

Things like the V-Max have a place here, specifically; America is large, with many flat and straight roads. There's a reason drag racing and muscle cars were born here. It's just one facet of motorcycling, and to built products that cater to a market that does exist is fairly prudent in my opinion.

Does it dilute the purity of the idea of Ducati? Yes. Is the potential profit and new market worth that dilution? Could be. It saved Porsche. Ferrari hasn't needed to.

I like your reasoning here....BUT..... considering HD is tanking, and bike sales are down.... is there really room for a Ducati cruiser on the market?

[mofo]

I like your reasoning here....BUT..... considering HD is tanking, and bike sales are down.... is there really room for a Ducati cruiser on the market?

Sounds like you answered your own question

Perhaps the question is is there really a market for a Ducati cruiser :)

[Josh]

There really isn't much of a market for any bikes right now tbh. Just ask Suzuki and their 2010 NA line up.

[FightingChance]

I believe this 'Vyper' concept has been in the pipe for a while, and is part of Ducati's plan to diversify (for whatever reason; possibly to resist integration into Piaggio). The Streetfighter and Multistrada are entries into markets that are new to Ducati, for the most part.

They have also tasted the sweet fruit of brand 'lifestyle' (e.g. keychains, laptops, wine, clothing, etc etc), and a muscle bike will help widen that reach.

[Canyonball]

Eww... but then again, I'm not into cruisers.

[Da Baddest Mofo]

Stupid cruisers are where the money is. Ask Jeremy, LOL. Sorta the same product planning as Porsche Panamera, Cayenne, and Boxster (which started the "softer" trend). And regardless what Eric says, Ferraris too.

C'mon, for the majority of the [American] population a cruiser represents how a "real bike" should look like: 50 years ago, now, and a thousand years form now. The same stuff many of you say about cars. It was bound to happen.

Interesting how cruisers would look in let's say 20-30 years when everything goes electric. Compact in-hab electric motor in the rear wheel (mainstream by then) and a huge carefully crafted fake gas V-twin with pushrods made of real steel, chromed, etc. The sound is no brainer. I bet someone would even offer an oil "leaker" as accessory.

[Josh]

O ya here we go!!!!

[Canyonball]

Sorta the same product planning as Porsche Panamera, Cayenne, and Boxster (which started the "softer" trend). And regardless what Eric says, Ferraris too.

:lol Freakin Alex. I'll leave that debate back at the 4-wheel thread. :)

O ya here we go!!!!

:lol :fingerroll

[wsmc27]

So much better than the awful, amorphous blob it later became:

http://www.bikez.com/pictures/suzuki/2005/21381_0_1_2_katana%20750_Image%20credits%20-%20Suzuki.jpg

Agreed. Me no likely can o' tuna mo'sickle. Original Katana sharper blade indeed.

[Globetrotter]

I believe this 'Vyper' concept has been in the pipe for a while, and is part of Ducati's plan to diversify (for whatever reason; possibly to resist integration into Piaggio). The Streetfighter and Multistrada are entries into markets that are new to Ducati, for the most part.



What does Piaggio have to do with anything? They're doing just fine with their own label, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Aprilia. They don't need Ducati or vice versa. And btw, the Multistrada is an AWESOME machine. I've toured Italy and the Canary Islands on one. It's the real deal.

And as far as H-D tanking; true, they're doing much worse than they were a few years ago, but they still make millions each year and still sell more motorcycles than any other manufacturer. H-D will do just fine.

The Vyper isn't my cup 'o tea, but I'm sure it'll be a fun bike to ride.

[Canyonball]

I guess one plus to this, for a cruiser IMO, is that the foot controls are under the rider like a SB. All the cruisers I've sat on before have the foot-forward foot controls which didn't feel right to me.

[FightingChance]

What does Piaggio have to do with anything? They're doing just fine with their own label, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, and Aprilia. They don't need Ducati or vice versa. And btw, the Multistrada is an AWESOME machine. I've toured Italy and the Canary Islands on one. It's the real deal.

And as far as H-D tanking; true, they're doing much worse than they were a few years ago, but they still make millions each year and still sell more motorcycles than any other manufacturer. H-D will do just fine.

The Vyper isn't my cup 'o tea, but I'm sure it'll be a fun bike to ride.

While I wasn't paying particular attention, I seem to recall some stories a month back about Piaggio expressing interest in owning Ducati.

Ah, here it is: http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/03/could-ducati-and-piaggio-merge.html Though it makes it appear the Ducati would actually be the tentpole, rather than Piaggio.

I have heard nothing but positive things about the Multi, but really, if you're long-hauling it through some foreign country, do you really want to rely on the storied hardiness and ubiquity of Ducati parts to get you through?

[-jro-]

And as far as H-D tanking; true, they're doing much worse than they were a few years ago, but they still make millions each year and still sell more motorcycles than any other manufacturer. H-D will do just fine.


Pretty sure Honda actually out paces Harley when it comes to motorcycle sales. And I hate being the pessimist but I get the strange feeling Harley will be doing a repeat of its AMF years :idunno

[Canyonball]

Pretty sure Honda actually out paces Harley when it comes to motorcycle sales. And I hate being the pessimist but I get the strange feeling Harley will be doing a repeat of its AMF years :idunno
Troy doesn't know shit about HD, he just works for Sport Rider. :noteeth

[tooblekain]

There's only one cruiser I want bad...and its this:

YouTube - Triumph Rocket III Roadster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xILxGC6zHwQ)

[HoolieB]

Somewhat off-topic:

The Multistrada took the class win at Pikes Peak ~ http://www.easier.com/73478-victory-ducati-multistrada-1200-pikes-peak.html

(Granted, the class was not very large or the competition terribly impressive, but still a good accomplishment for a bike that puzzles many people. :laughing )

Victory for Ducati Multistrada 1200 at Pike’s Peak
29th June 2010

Following the Ducati Multistrada’s incredibly successful market introduction, the top-selling model has now also won its very first international competition with a convincing victory and 3rd place finish in the 1200cc class of the annual Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, held on Sunday high in the mountains above Colorado Springs. The win further underlines world-wide acclaim received for the ground-breaking technology introduced by the Bologna-based company earlier this year.

In the hands of Pike’s Peak veteran, Greg Tracy, the Multistrada 1200 S took a massive lead off the start line, and rode up into the clouds to take the top podium position at 14,110 feet (4,300 meters). Tracy ran a smooth race, demonstrating the exceptional on and off-road capabilities of Ducati’s innovative new model, which uses electronically controlled “riding-modes” to deliver top performance across all terrains.

“That was an exciting week I’ve got to say,” said Tracy in the post race award ceremony. “I want to thank Ducati for the opportunity they’ve given me. The Spider Grips Falkner-Livingston Multistrada was an amazing ride. Everyone did an awesome job and that motorcycle is crazy fast. It hit 137mph (220km/h) at one point up the hill and worked great both on the dirt and the asphalt. When I was growing up, and all these factory teams would win races, I was sure they had $100,000 engines and that was why they went so fast. I was wrong. This is my first year on a factory motorcycle and I’ll tell you that bike was box-stock standard. It had some carbon, and few tweaks and that was it.”

Greg’s teammate, Alexander Smith, also put in a formidable performance, ensuring the second Ducati Multistrada entry also made the podium. Alexander fought his way up the mountain in 2nd position and looked set for a 1-2 finish before falling in the last corner and remounting to grab 3rd place.

“I have to repeat everything Greg said about the bike, it was really perfect,” said Smith. “The race was good, and if you see the start line footage you can tell how awesome the bike was working. It was a pretty smooth race up until the last corner where I kind of laid it down. I got off real quick and remounted which was still good enough for 3rd, putting both the Multistrada’s on the podium.”

More information about Ducati’s win in the Pike’s Peak International Hillclimb is available at ducatiusa.com.

[Markbone]

Somewhat off-topic:

The Multistrada took the class win at Pikes Peak ~ http://www.easier.com/73478-victory-ducati-multistrada-1200-pikes-peak.html

(Granted, the class was not very large or the competition terribly impressive, but still a good accomplishment for a bike that puzzles many people. :laughing )



even more Off Topic, they shot a commercial of said Duc Multistrada @ Pike peak entirely with the new iPhone 4's! how cool! (not!)
FANBOYS REJOICE!!!
http://jalopnik.com/5575510/ducati-films-motorcycle-commercial-entirely-with-iphone-4

[spider]

I don't not like it:

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Ducati-Vyper-cruiser-concept-luca-bar-design.jpg

[Canyonball]

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Ducati-Vyper-cruiser-concept-luca-bar-design.jpg

Hmmm... THAT... actually doesn't look too bad to me. For a cruiser. It almost looks like a cruiser for the future. Something HD isn't exactly shooting for.

[FightingChance]

do not want

Yeah, not a fan of that rendering. I don't know; I think it will have to be fairly different from current Ducatis to be okay. (looks wise)

[sr9004u]

D - Rod

[Da Baddest Mofo]

:lol Freakin Alex. I'll leave that debate back at the 4-wheel thread. :)

:lol :fingerroll
If motorcycle companies hired the same financially-oriented executives in charge of new products like car companies here in the US it'd be two major bike models: Goldwings and cruisers. Just like one half of the population is driving Highlanders and another Mustangs.

[Desmofemme]

can i please change my handle

this thing makes me want to turn in my ducatisti badge

[Globetrotter]

I don't not like it:



So you DO like it?

[a13x]

I like the assumption that Ducati HAS a marketing plan/strategy. That's funny =]

[spider]

So you DO like it?

That's my polite way of saying I don't like it, as in

"Dude, did you like the girl I set you up with last night?"

"Well, I don't not like her..."

:D

[Canyonball]

That's my polite way of saying I don't like it, as in

"Dude, did you like the girl I set you up with last night?"

"Well, I don't not like her..."

:D

:lol classic

[Logroller]

http://adrenalinefix.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/bardesign_ducati_d66.jpeg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/footbeamer/bardesign_ducati_d66.jpg

[tye1138]

Ducati is picking at straws to bring new people into their pool. The problem is, by doing so they scare away all the "purists" who would rather not buy a new ducati.

The new Multistrada is kool, it has a market. The Streetfighter is fine as well because its just a naked 1098. But a cruiser? I mean, where does that fit in the family?

They are loosing in MotoGP, they are loosing in WSBK, they lost BSB... I mean, build a better effin' race bike and win some championships for god sakes. There are plenty of ducati models, they are all too dam expensive and right now nobody is buying cheap bikes, let alone fancy ones!

STUPID, Stupid, stupid!

[Globetrotter]

Ducati is picking at straws to bring new people into their pool. The problem is, by doing so they scare away all the "purists" who would rather not buy a new ducati.

The new Multistrada is kool, it has a market. The Streetfighter is fine as well because its just a naked 1098. But a cruiser? I mean, where does that fit in the family?

They are loosing in MotoGP, they are loosing in WSBK, they lost BSB... I mean, build a better effin' race bike and win some championships for god sakes. There are plenty of ducati models, they are all too dam expensive and right now nobody is buying cheap bikes, let alone fancy ones!

STUPID, Stupid, stupid!

BMW is expanding their product line--not just with the S 1000 RR (which hasn't won a championship either, mind you)--they're rumored to be building a 6-cylinder touring bike too. This on top of all the boxer twin models they have. All to attract new buyers as well.

Are they "STUPID, Stupid, stupid!" too?

[apessino]

BMW is expanding their product line--not just with the S 1000 RR (which hasn't won a championship either, mind you)--they're rumored to be building a 6-cylinder touring bike too. This on top of all the boxer twin models they have. All to attract new buyers as well.

Are they "STUPID, Stupid, stupid!" too?

Not to mention Ducati had their best year ever in 2009, the only manufacturer in the black in a huge crisis. How dumb are they? :D

[Da Baddest Mofo]

Toyota is currently the most successful auto maker: financially. Do you really like dull "beige" appliances on four wheels they call cars?

Car and bike companies shouldn't cater to the tastes of the stupid general population because essentially it means satisfying the lowest common denominator. Instead motor vehicle companies should design advanced products and push the general population to like the fruits of technical progress. Otherwise if you let the stupid commoners vote with money that progress simply stops.

And for the record Toyota is not a car company. It makes appliances.

[Logroller]

Get rid of them all, ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe diversity is key to longevity in business. If that means a company needs to broaden it's range in customers, designs or what have you so be it. I do not think BMW or Ducati have gone down to a level of producing a machine "purely" on customer demand. However, with that said, they would not be around if they did not have customers to purchase their machines. Both companies know they have yet to tap in to a huge % of the bike market.

D B Mofo, as for Toyota, I do not own and probably never will, but I believe you have made one more statement on this forum that is pretty far fetched. Maybe not too far fetched, but a bit far.

[Homeslice]

If a bike's tail isn't at least as high as its tank, it looks dumb IMO.

[Da Baddest Mofo]

Get rid of them all, ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe diversity is key to longevity in business. If that means a company needs to broaden it's range in customers, designs or what have you so be it. I do not think BMW or Ducati have gone down to a level of producing a machine "purely" on customer demand. However, with that said, they would not be around if they did not have customers to purchase their machines. Both companies know they have yet to tap in to a huge % of the bike market.

D B Mofo, as for Toyota, I do not own and probably never will, but I believe you have made one more statement on this forum that is pretty far fetched. Maybe not too far fetched, but a bit far.

Forget about Toyotas. Do you believe that cruiser layout is inferior to standard/sportbike design? Driving dynamics wise. Do we need to argue about that? I don't think so.

So why we need that kind of "diversity"? There are companies (HD etc.) making that outdated crap to fulfill the niche. In the car world it'd be equivalent to the Model T and Dusenberg external fenders. They're thing of the past, period. Sure, a few companies make ugly modern replicas of those cars just like HD. Doesn't mean Lamborghini should too.