streetfighter!! HERE IT IS!!!

[Manny]

Yep, the Monster is a basic platform from which to construct the ultimate dream machine (whatever that happens to be, as conceived by the artist). This version would fit some people's dream, but not most. So it couldn't be a Monster, just a refined streetfighter.



Gawd, I need to stop hanging around with those analytical types, and staying up late.... 

[Fresh Pants]

Nope not me, it is a streetfighter, it fits that segment along with the z1000, cb1000r, bking, speed triple, etc.
People in the US are not accepting it as it is, there would have been an uproar if they called it a Monster! 

Not to mention the Tuono. 

[Smitch]

Should be pretty cool once the stock exhaust is ditched for a single high pipe or dual high mounts.  Also, ditch the 696 mirrors.

Bulldog, you keep wishing it had a fairing... Streetfighters, by nature, do-not-hava-this!

[flynbulldog]

Yeah and streetfighters tend to look like Optimus Prime, Ducati didn't disappoint there either

 I mean a fairing in the way a monster has a fairing; a little windscreen. I hate riding a bike where all you see is handlebars and pavement,
 I need a little something up front to give me some perspective.

I think this looks good and reminds of a 1098...



But you gotta admit, the real thing makes this rendition look LAME!

[beater]

blech!

looks like a decepticon wasp.

That abomination is possibly the first ducati I wouldn't own.

[Manny]

Actually, I kinda like this one...

[mommys little monster]

me to 

[flynbulldog]

That abomination is possibly the first ducati I wouldn't own.

Wow you're not very picky then... There's a LOT of Ducatis I wouldn't own The streetfighter is not among them. 








And there are O so many more...

[beater]

oh - I'm picky, but let's just say I'm also qwirky...

I just keep coming back to why do people need change for changes sake? seriously, did monster sales fall by 60% or something? also, no company but cisco has succeeded when led by marketing in recent memory.

[flynbulldog]

The four valve monsters have always been a tough sell. The two valve version has out-sold them by as much as four to one in recent years. In 2008 400 four valve monsters were imported to the US and Canada, there are loads of them still sitting on showroom floors! And in fact there are even leftover 07's still in some dealers...

I have a friend who is close to some DNA insiders, I knew over a year ago that 08 would be the last of the four valve monsters but I didn't know about the Streetfighter. According to my source DNA's perspective is that monster buyers aren't typically going to fit into that $15K and above price range, they see the model as appealing to those in a lower price point.

The hope with the Streetfighter is that it will appeal to a more seasoned enthusiast that is willing to spend a little more to get a little more. Just like Honda's new CB1000R the Streetfighter is not aimed at the American market . The model will sell far better in Europe than it will in the US and I'm betting that's just fine with Ducati. But unlike the CB (that will not be available here) at least those of us in the US who do have some European sensibility will have the opportunity to buy a Streetfighter. 

I could never figure out why so many find change so hard 

[Bick]

Everyone just has to jump into this game:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/fiat-and-yamaha-team-up-on-new-abarthfz1/

[psicorp]

Did they steal the headlight from the new monster?

[bucky]

Wow, that thing is pretty bad ass!!!!!

[flynbulldog]

Yeah, I'd freakin roll that Yamerhoper in second 

Too bad it's only a promotional one-off

[flynbulldog]

Oh and BTW that headlight is what comes on all the FZ1's in the rest of the world...

Because the Japanese marketing guys know all too well how we will react, In North America we get this: