Ducati Monster Forum

Okay - I'll bite.

I have seen a lot of this picture on different sites lately.  I personally think Ducati and cruiser just don't go together. And I know it's just a prototype (if it is even real).  But What are they thinking  [puke] [puke] [puke] [puke] [puke] [puke] [puke] [puke]

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/new-ducati-cruiser---more-pictures/12889.html (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/new-ducati-cruiser---more-pictures/12889.html)

It looks like a Monster slept with a Rocket 3!!!

cmon what are you saying Heather?? I would love to get my hands on a Ducati cruiser - bring back the Indiana.  Now there is a cruiser everyone has forgotten about.....

(http://www.ducarudi.nl/foto%20album/Ducati%20modellen%20vanaf%201988/Ducati_Indiana_750.jpg)

The persistence of this myth amazes me.

Ducati would sooner sell trikes than a cruiser.

 [puke] [puke]
Sorry, not my cup of tea  [coffee]

Looks like a Guzzi Californian.  Haven't seen many good looking Guzzis.

yeah I agree about it looking like a Californian.  Good looking Guzzis are far and few between - my bro in law bro had a Le Mans Sport 1000, black, clip ons, very nice  [moto]

Its a complicated issue with many things in play ... but bottom line is, well, the bottom line. For Ducati to stay in business they need to sell bikes ... the more profitable lines that they have, the more chance they have of staying in business. And you don't know what is profitable until you put something on the market.

Trends, styles, fashions, priorities and tastes change ... if your whole business is based on Superbikes and then you produce a 999, the whole business could be at risk.

People have varying views but it is existing Ducati owners that seem to object the most to this MegaCruiser - should that concern Ducati? Maybe, but not necessarily ... I mean how many new Ducatis do we buy? I mean we don't even buy from their performance catalogue or get servicing from their dealers.

I could keep going for ages so I'd better stop ... for now.

That's a very good point.  If it attracts new owners and new buyers, they are successful.

As far as new Ducatis, I have bought 3 in my lifetime over 20 years of riding.  But plenty of used bikes.

It seems to me Ducati could make tons of money just selling parts for 10-20 yo bikes, if they would just keep making them....

I am not against Ducati producing a cruiser, in fact I applaud Ducati for testing new grounds and trying to expand their market reach.  However, I fear that Ducati has fallen in to the same syndrome as Harley and Porsche.  You look at both companies, they tried something different, wasnt successful, and reverted back to old designs.

Example 1:  the V-Rod initially wasnt all that readily accepted because despite technology and reliability, it still wasnt the classic push rod design.

Example 2: Porsches failed forays in to front engine vehicles - 924, 944, 928.  The have resorted back to the stable 911 foundation that has kept the company afloat.

So I hope Ducati has a lesson learnt from the 999.  Whilst it was a bold statement, it was basically rejected by Ducatisti and other market alike.  I hope they get the design and style right, and open up new markets.

thus end my dribble  [laugh]

thats slowly changing due to aprilia needing to sell more bikes out of guzzi to make it more profitable

new prototypes at the bike shows of a sports nature


i think it will be released , to start seeing it on the road means it prob isnt far away

Like all companies they need to broaden their market


look at triumph they have slowly branched into sportsbikes , thats a hook for younger buyers , the rocketIII  , to gain some of the cruiser market

how many people have started on a superbike and then later got onto a monster / st etc

its the same reason hypermotards came along

the cruiser will come and with any luck it will be a success and a decent bike to boot

But then they did the MegaSUV (I know I would name it incorrectly) and from what I understand sold shitloads (well relative shitloads anyway). So who knows?

The other path is that of BMW - all about the volume. From what I understand every bastard in the UK has one, kinda not the same anymore.

Ducati could just have the right balance  :-\

thats not a cruiser.

I'm with you.  It's huge and weird and, IMO, a rather striking (if hard to accept initially) design.  Doesn't really fit my cruiser profile.

Can we say US market.
Sales = $$$ for racing.

I sat on the back of one of those for 8 years.  Which I why I now sit at the front of a Monster.  [laugh]

REALLY??

(http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/8864994/122_0310_02z%202004_moto_guzzi_mgs_01_corsa%20side_view.jpg)

Nice bike - but NOT good looking.  [cheeky]

vicious!

Yeah sorry, I forgot ... we see those all the time down here [cheeky] ;D [laugh]

But still not really my thing, sorry.

to be fair the MGS01 didnt eventuate due to money , no capital cant make bikes

i like this

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v7-clubman-racer/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v7-clubman-racer/)

(http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Moto-Guzz-V7-Clubman-Racer-2-560x465.jpg)

then there is this

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v12-le-mans-concept/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v12-le-mans-concept/)
(http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Moto-Guzzi-V12-LM-concept-3-560x381.jpg)

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v12-x/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v12-x/)
(http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Moto-Guzzi-V12-Strada-concept-2-560x383.jpg)

and then for something a bit different

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-diamante-1400/ (http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-diamante-1400/)
(http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Filippo-Barbacane-Moto-Guzzi-Diamante-1400-1-560x375.jpg)

Looks like it is based on the Streetfighter. Personally it don't look too bad from the side angle. Anything is going to look better than a Guzzi!

(http://www.visordown.com/uploads/images/Large/9870.JPG)

Rob

I rest my case in the Ugly Guzzi debate.  There certainly are some shockers.  [cheeky]

Didn't mean to start a Guzzi bashing war.  I actually like Guzzis.  Just wish they'd make something pretty.

that is an awful looking bike....

however I do believe it represents something more sinister, by the massive width of that rear tyre this may represent the first time Ducati has deliberately chosen to effect the riding efficiency of a bike in a negative way. A frickin 220 ish tyre on the back can no way be justified, it is function lost for fashion gain....and that is a intrinsic quality of Ducati in my eyes and a very sad day for the brand.

I also have to apologise for all the Harley-MV Augusta jokes I mad. The laugh is on me! :(

i thought ozzies loved a wide-tyre drag bike ???

(http://www.strangevehicles.com/images/content/146958.jpg)

Originally imported from the USA for a minority group.

custom built on request!  :D

Seriously? You think this is the first time of form over function? Its just a matter of relativity.

If you are entering a new area of the market you have to at least meet the minimum 'standards' of that market ... I know nothing about this particular segment of the market but would guess a large section rear tyre is de rigueur (and in typing that I realised if I knew an Italian translation for that I should use it). Do I need a 180 rear section on my Monster? No. Do I need 190 on the 999? Not even close (in fact a common performance mod I have read is reducing the rear tyre section). So it is nothing new.

But a point I would like to raise again is my discussion with Joe Charity about the Streetfighter. He could not understand why Ducati would purposely de-tune the 1098 engine or why they would choose an exhaust design that would not allow you to ride with your toes on the pegs. My view was that they had probably nailed the market they were looking to enter/create/lead/inspire:
. massive although mostly theoretical power
. relatively comfortable ride position
. all the trick bits you would expect (brakes & suspension kinda thing)
. something not entirely impractical for ducking down to the cafe for a pose
. BOAST-ABILITY
I don't know how successful they have been but had it not been for the economy turning nasty I think they would have sold a lot more (and perhaps this MegaSportsCruiserThingy would have been deemed unnecessary).

Your comment seems a bit like saying 'Ducati have never installed lesser parts or compromised on design to save a few bucks'.

I think you only have to look as far as Triumph to see how profitable cruiser bikes can be for a company.  There are plenty of cashed-up boomers around who want something "unique" that they can ride up to PitS and brag about.  Most of the people buying these bikes are pretty poor motorcyclists, so despite the big numbers, they really want something that's heavily detuned.

and if you look at the rocket III that came out with the 240 odd tyre and now has the option of the 180 rear for those that actually want to ride around corners ;)

I always wondered why my Brother bought a Rocket III. Thanks for clearing that up Suzy.   [thumbsup] [laugh]

(Should I even be admitting I have a brother who owns one??)

there is a difference between NOT installing the best bits so that your range offerings are seperated (why did the S2r get the s treatment...only got it when the 4v left the stable)....and doing what they've done...there's working towards category/price points and then there is deliberately impacting ride quality.

I think you misunderstand - it is a feature of that "category" ... so what they are working towards is what is expected. In terms of ride quality it will probably be best in its class ... I don't see how that could be viewed as a bad thing.

If you want the best handling bike ... don't buy this. If you want a decent-handling MegaSportsCruiserThingy ... this could be it.

Two Words, "AGEING POPULATION!"

I think Ducati are trying to break in to the market since their partnership with Harley failed.  I read somewhere (internet is a wonderful source of "valid" information) that in the US half of the Ducati owners also owned a Harley.  Why not offer the Ducati owners a cruiser and add to their market share?

Because they might end up owning only one bike?
Debatable whether that would add to their market share.

Just wondering if making a cruiser devalues the brand?

I think it does.

I think it depends on what the final product is. If it ticks many of the 'Ducati attribute' boxes, will it really de-value the brand?

For example if it is the mostest powerful, lightest, bestest braking/handling and mostest expensive bike in its class (is there a class?) - does that de-value the brand just because it is not to your/our/somebodies taste?

Sure it will be de-valued in some peoples eyes but it may actually be enhanced for others. I can't imagine why people think Ducatisti have an elitist attitude ;) [laugh]

i thought the 999 already did that  [laugh]  [popcorn]

its a bit like saying that Aprilia is crap because they make scooters

no I dont think that is the argument they are looking at there - they would want the HD replaced with a Ducati cruiser, thus still retaining the two bike ownership, just the one brand - they are banking on Ducati owners being a fickle bunch and buying a second bike would be of course another Ducati - I know I would! [thumbsup]

Hey I was just answering your question of 'why wouldn't they?'

I completely understand the logic :D

haha ok my bad!  ;D

that's an excellent point

although the point about the 999 is off, I believe.  i alwasy thought they were ugly and they aren't pretty, but the ride on a 999 is phenomenal. the adjustable seat and tank and the engine are amazing, the S or R models' additional features make the bike nearly perfect.

the looks can be fixed -- aftermarket fairing kits to replace the choo-choo train look are around.  and in track kit, it looks as it should -- it was a race bike that they backwards engineered to run on the street -- and i don't think they thought about how it would look with a headlight..

you dont see the ugly from the riders position ;)

exactly, which is why you see plenty of handsome guys dating ugly chicks.

the 999 is similar -- well designed frame and engine and fun to ride, but not much to look at from a distance.

Hey! I like the 999 ;)

... and I obviously have better taste than my wife ;D

i like the 999 too, as long as I don't have to spend much time looking at it from the front. 

+1 Betty , you actually beat me to it !
I had been looking at few for sale some bargains out there with low Ks

Have you googled Ducati 999 naked yet ?
Some fellas in the US have created streetfighter look for half the price using the 999
I cant wait to see yours are you going to bring it out on a Monster ride ? hope so.

all I got was a pic of Betty in a thong on a 999!

no seriously that looks good - like you said dezmonster get a good low km's 999 and you have a cheap streetfighter!  [thumbsup]

I guess we are digressing from the Ducati cruiser theme - I always like this creation as a chopper er cruiser

(http://www.motocafe.ru/images/stories/news_motocycles/news_074/custom/custom_ducati_chopper.jpg)

that is just so wrong on so many levels...I don't know where to start!!

this is betty???

(http://www.motorcycledaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/cafe9.jpg)

That, is definitely NOT Betty!

... and what have they done to that poor bike.

I reckon that looks pretty good - would be fun to ride! The bike that is people!!

Would turn heads! (yes still talking about the bike!)  [laugh]

Wow Betty, I see you've had some work done!!

ooohh well looks like i have turned into a lesbo, not that there is anything wrong with that :o

fixed it, AFAIK

First a cruiser now a scooter??

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/08/were-getting-a-power-cruiser-is-a-ducati-scooter-next/ (http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/08/were-getting-a-power-cruiser-is-a-ducati-scooter-next/)

Well at least they have built scooters before (although not very successful ones). I think they also built the Brio in addition to the Cruiser mentioned in the article - ha! Cruiser, kinda ironic.

Perhaps we could finally get the brother-in-law onto a Ducati.

So, what do you folks reckon? Care to speculate on some of the specifications? Biggest question would have to be the style ... do they go maxi or sleek and sporty?

I think they would have to go sleek and sporty, but with the centrifugal clutch and semi automatic gearbox there would be no shift by feel.....

Ducati has been cashing in on their "Ducati lifestyle" thingy, I think if they do a scooter it will be a VERY stunning looker with lots of storage and gizmos.  Make it the scooter you'd have as a second to your bike. 

I'd love to see something amazing -- a Burgman killer, which is imho the ultimate in power scooters right now.

I think with a certain MotoGP ride set to be riding for Ducati next year, a scooter is probably a must ... at least for the home market. For some reason Yamaha scooters are exceedingly popular in Italy.

From a marketting point of view, price is going to be a huge issue for them though.

Mmmmmm, Monster Scooter?!?  [thumbsup] ;D [moto] [clap]

An entirely new "BLING" market. [cheeky] [laugh]

ds1100 powered mmm  [moto]


From my feedback from my mate who has a couple of "performance" Vespas the R1 Yamaha is quite quick!  As you mentioned though it would only be a small part when compared to the marketing power of the eluded to MotoGP rider!  [thumbsup]

Never mind a poxy scooter, what they really should release is a new version of this:

Don Hall road tests 1974 Ducati 250 Desmo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qs6h_01nDo#normal)

>>some<< gals prefer scooters because you don't have to stuff a huge gas tank between your legs... :D

now I like this!  [thumbsup]

http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/09/the-ducati-diavel-already-exists/ (http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/2010/09/the-ducati-diavel-already-exists/)

Looks like some one quashed a Monster.

I thought the new muscle bike was the new cruiser which came to a sad end for the Ducati test rider.

(http://hellforleathermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ducati-Diavel-Crash-1.jpg)


Rob

Honestly?

What was the design brief ... take one S4Rs ... and screw it up?

Other things that are 'must haves':
. put your cooling system perilously close to the road and hope you have messed up the suspension enough to avoid contact with hard things ... until you actually run over something
. oh and keep the stock exhaust because its just dead sexy ... especially considering the newly created lines

I like it cuz it is something different - whilst the engineering is seriously flawed, for a unique show piece I dont mind the look of it at all.  I think with the Diavel Ducati are complicating the design - they need to go back to the KISS theory I reckon if they want a classic!  Thus the S4Rs is not as complicated in looks or design as the testastretta motor they are trying to use.  Ducati riders love exposing their belts and cam pulleys etc - whereas the Diavel does not allow this.

Anyhow just my thoughts..... ;D