Ducati Monster Forum

Former Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock talks bikes...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/10/former-ducati-ceo-michael-lock.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/10/former-ducati-ceo-michael-lock.html)

I did find it odd he said "how do you justify $15,000 motorcycles no one needs” since the Diavel was his baby.

Well, he does complete the quote to say how do you justify the expense on the same old product. He would probably argue that the Diavel is a new market for Ducati and offers substantially more to the segment than any of the competitors.

Sounds like the Motorcycle Industry is in much worse shape than I realized.

I'm concerned for my local Dealer's future.

I don't know if a Dealer can make it , especially here in the Northern half of the States w, mostly just Service work.

Since we only ride 8 months a year at the most and that probably is only the hardiest riders that ride that many months, there are 4 months that hardly anything happens at the Dealership.

When there is snow on the ground or temps in the 30s or 20s the bikes are sleeping for the Winter.

As the Service writer told me "  most people these days put of their maintenance until the very last minute possible due to the economy. "

I was planning for a 7500 mile service and some other service procedures like changing the Fork oil, the coolant and the brake fluid before Winter.

I'm no mechanic nor do I have mechanical skills , so I am concerned about my 3 bikes and if something would happen to my Dealer.

I have bought 2 new bikes from him in the past 2 years and have all my service work done there .

I feel I've done my part to keep him in business.

Dolph     (http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/ride.gif)

Two new bikes in the last two years.. [moto] [moto]

Blimey Dolph you've done more than your share to keep the dealership doors open.. [clap] [clap] [beer]

 [coffee]

The industry is just starting to float again, a lot of the dealers that did make it now have alot of debt to work off

it was a whole lot darker than most people think

Bad thing about most of the european dealerships is that they dont carry all of the dirtbikes/atvs/jetskis(or snowmobiles) that the japanese make. 

its about having a market that can bring in something in the off months of motorcycling. (atv = hunting = cold)

My suzuki dealership seems to be doing well business wise. Very strong dealership, shame i'm not a zuki fan.

yes, it's bad.. suzuki didn't even bother with 2010 models because there was so many 2009 unsold.

i don't worry too much about my local dealer. They're probably in debt, but there's a year around market and if nothing else South Florida is very big on the "poser" aspect of riding. Like Dolph mentioned, it would be really difficult for a dealer to stay afloat when their market hibernates. As a dealer I would think that they would need to partially close, open only 3 days a week for service hours, and most likely lay-off some people, sales guys, during the long winter. The Diavel is a direct way to grab some of the Harley market that has, no pun intended, died away with the Baby Boomers. It also allows a younger buyer to look at the cruiser market without the usual stereotypes, sexy Italian versus outdated old folks bike.

[thumbsdown]

I ride with many "dated" motorcycles and that includes my Monster but I love the nostalgic look, hell most manufacturers are bringing back oldy but goodies these days and selling them

I'm just commenting on the image that they are portraying, whether you agree with it or you don't. H-D attempted to somewhat change their image when they went with the V-Rod and they have slowly been making it look more and more like their other bikes.

I know but Harley made their customers buy an experience and lifestyle which is why they sold so many.  Most of these riders ride less than 2k miles a year I'll bet.  I think Ducati is the same in that respect, meaning most buy it because it's a Ducati but the majority of us on the board buy them because we are passionate about our twins and the thrill of torque.  [thumbsup]

Yeah, when I saw that this year I knew there was trouble ahead.

Ducati could make motorcycle fun and exciting for new riders and even guys like us by creating smaller lighter bikes that add skill back into riding fast instead of HP.

-mono cafe racer would be a great start

I would love one of those with service intervals of 15k of course.

What was I thinking....I also bought my 1098 R in '08 ! :o

3 new bikes in 3 years.

All under 24/7 armed guard ....just sayin'.

Dolph

Ironically I think the only Harley worth even looking at (ie: doesn't burn your eyeballs out) IS the V-rod. Whereas my dad just bought a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic full dress cruiser last year and he thinks the V-rod is the only one that looks bad. Ehh, I would take his bike if he left it to me when he goes, I would take it right down to the dealership and swap it for as much cash as I can get and drive straight to the Ducati dealership and put that money where it belongs. But thats just my take on things.

The Doc

and then some of us just love them all.....mostly.  :-\

If you are concerned about your Dealer going under (I would never use a dealer to work on any bike or car I own).

I would start searching for a mechanic that can do any work who does it as a small, or side business.

That's what I'll have to do, start looking into that just in case.

Have to start checking out some of the Forums since I ride only w, my Walther PPk/S .

Dolph     :)