What I hate about Ducati…

[psycledelic]

I'd like my bike just as much if I were told I could ride it all I want but nobody would ever see me and I couldn't tell anyone I owned it. 

If you don't buy a bike for a certain image you won't care what image comes with the bike. 

lots of people protesting a bit too much and it sounds to me they're  worried their own tough image is somehow tarnished by duc marketing.

pretty easy to tell weekend banker harley guy from hardcore longterm 'biker' (and not making judgements against either..just saying not difficult to differentiate)

+1  Not to say that there is also some of the weekender harley guys that aren't obnoxious.  I think that there are guys that buy bikes to "be cool" and guys who buy bikes for the need to "fit in". It might be hard to distinguish the two.  Some just ride because they like it (when it is 75 degrees and sunny).  Sorry, I have a friend that would pass as a weekend harley rider, but he is just a fair weather wussy!similar for Duc buyers.

if someone buys into the branding because it brings them joy then who cares if it's wine and coffee mugs etc.   if having that stuff makes someone think they're  cooler than a guy who tracks his gixxer then that's different and bring on the rant.

I would have to say that it would be so easy to fall into the "I am cool, I have a Ducati" mentality.  It starts at the dealer.  Something has to drive a person to drop an extra $4000 on a Ducati as opposed to a SV650.  It carries on to the attention.  I, consistantly, get left in the dust on our weekend rides on my little S2R.  Parlty due to skill, mostly due to bike performance.  But in the end, when the bikes are in line in a parking lot.  People seem to be drawn to the Monster.  Personally, I am not big on the "cooler then coolest" personality, and I have a hard time showcasing my bike to others knowing that is in the middle of bikes that have been kicking its ass all day long.  But what do you do.  It is hard to direct attention away from a unique / somewhat funny looking sportbike to a blue and white Gixxer750.
ride hard.