Ducati Monster Forum

Ducati looks to be poised to launch a power cruiser called the Vyper, based on its new Streetfighter machine. According to the report and pictures published in a European bike magazine, it will be aimed at the Harley Davidson V-Rod and similar bikes like the Yamaha V-Max.

Other reports also suggest that the BMW GS-styled machines that we have often mentioned here may well still be in the pipeline with a fairly imminent world launch, certainly 2010 at the latest.

Sources suggest it will be the lightest and fastest in the class, although the street will be its primary habitat like the Triumph Tiger, rather than having any real dirt pretensions.

The factory leaks also suggest a scooter may come from Bologna!

For many, this will come with a sigh of relief. Ducati VP of Marketing, Diego Sgorbati, has confirmed that Ducati has no intentions of making a cruiser motorcycle…for the time being. Long rumored to appear at the upcoming EICMA expo, the Ducati Vyper concept has stirred a few imaginations, as well as a few stomachs. Reported in various forms, we still like to visualize it with the renders that Luca from Bar-Design provided us with last year.

While Ducati has ruled out adding the cruiser segment to its model line-up, Sgorbati says Ducati hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making one in the future:

“Whether we make it in 4 or 5 years is hard to say. ‘custom’ motorcycles are something we are keeping an eye on to see if the style would garner the interest of buyers who are not your typical Ducati purchasers.”

If you were one of the many that resisted Ducati’s move with the Vyper concept, and are still waiting to see what happens with the upcoming Strada Aperta road-enduro, you may not want to read what we have to say next. According to Sgorbati, Ducati is considering expanding into other ranges that just street/sport bikes.

“Ducati is watching other segments as well: scooters, customs, enduros, and off-road. It’s natural. But before going in a set direction, we must also consider the possible barriers, including technology and distribution. How many dealerships can sell superbikes and motocross bikes in equal numbers? Also, you have to keep the ’soul’ of the brand, make sure it’s in synch with the product. What worked 20 years ago may not work today.”

Don’t think that Ducati is limiting itself to just internal combustion engines, the Bologna brand hasn’t ruled out making an electric motorcycle. We don’t expect to see Ducati at the next up-coming eGrand-Prix. It would seem instead, they prefer for the electric motorcycle startups to do the heavy lifting, and prove that the market exists.

“We are very interested in these technologies, but the question remains: does today’s rider feel responsible for pollution in the cities, and are they looking to produce less pollution?”

Thanks for parlo italiano Miguel.

Source: MotoBlog

I can't get Transformers out of my head. With the Streetfighter and this thing I guess that doubles the sales value and appeal of my Tamburini bikes. [thumbsup]

Slappin' some Heli-bars or Ferracci replacement clip-ons helps the 999 a lot. I HAVE to have them but they are a great comfy mod for everyone and detract nothing from the sportiness. [thumbsup]

Believe it or not there are times when I actually do not like riding the 999 and like riding a more upright position bike like the ST4s. I know that's hard to believe right? A Duc cruiser? Hmmm...might work.  

Whaa?   ;D ;D

watch the cruiser bashing RED boy.  :P

there is pleasure in going slow with the radio/Ipod going and the woman on back.  That rendition however is NOT a cruiser of any type.  Certainly not anywhere close to a Vmax or the like.  I saw the new Vmax at the dyno pulling over 200 ponies at the rear wheel.  Had to leave so I didn't see the final numbers but it's a rocket.

Lisa
Gettin' Old - Goin' Slow  [evil]

I like it... I might even like it enough to buy one.  That is IF it's priced realistically; unlike one of their recent creations (que pix of rediculously over-priced Street Fighter).  What are the chances?  [laugh]

Can't wait to see the new Multi, though.

Lisa
Gettin' Old - Goin' Slow  [evil]

I never said it was stock, it obviously had some goodies on it.  I saw it in Houston at a friend's shop and if I had play money I'd have one of those bad boys......to hell with a pillion rider on that rocket. 
The new one is slower than the original 85 but that's top-end.  You put a PC5 in it to change the rev limiter and vuala it's faster than the original. 

That is a s#@t load of horse power!! Was it turbo'd? Yeah, who gives a crap about top end on a bike like that anyway? Where's Pee Wee Gleason when we need him? Surprised Yammyhammer didn't resurrect that old style of ad for the release of the new Max. Would have scored a lot of points with us AARP members! [laugh]

you're telling me T and/or you were taking him in the straights or taking T in the straights? 

I rode one many years ago, 1986 model year I think, and trust me it's a phuc in rocket.

go test ride one to get that rush just for kicks.

i've seen those guys when i lived up in TN --> IT IS AWESOME. They have parts ground clear off the bike and stuff. Ate a burger with one of the guys who explained the goldwing as the "cbr on 'roids" (referring to its "sportbike nature" while "linebacker size").

Secret: Dax and I talk about cruisers. Ok, there, I'm out.
Dax showed me this vid last year at his Christmas party and I was blown away. I'd love a wing sans 200lbs (and don't say my fat arse!!) to play with. 1800cc's is nothing to blow off and with a litlle tuning WOAH!! I'll tell my story of the wing staying up with me on my ST4s till around 135 if you want. Or did I just do that?  ???

on a hill country ride, we had way too hard a time getting around a fast as shit guy on a goldwing with a freakin' trailer hitch.  Granted, our fastest people were not in the lead, but this guy was absolutely hauling, and sparking shit left and right off the FLOORBOARDS of his FREAKIN' GOLDWING.

Anyone recall that little tidbit but me?  Not sure which one it was...  I think it was the one where Will walked up a little to quickly on me in his spiderman underoos in the Jacuzzi.  Every since then, we've collected ICE info AND boundary agreements.

you naysayers and your 'it has electrical problems' and 'the oil sump is just a decorative shroud' be damned!)

Big D Cycles has a classic Goldwing in their showroom. Like one big ass standard, not too different in shape and proportions from the rest of their cool old bikes.


Speaking of which, they also have a Mike Hailwood Replica right next to a MH900e. (The MH900e is me dream bike, you naysayers and your 'it has electrical problems' and 'the oil sump is just a decorative shroud' be damned!)