What I hate about Ducati…

[ducatiz]

I don't understand how a $9000 bike can be considered exclusive and is compared to a Porsche and/or Ferrari.  That just doesn't make sense to me.   I also don't recall Ferrari or Porsche announcing a logo change to "celebrate" the thrill of their rides. 

To the OP, if you don't like "image" Ducati is selling with their Marketing strategies get another bike.   

Porsche produced the boxster

Ducati produced the Monster.

Ducati also produced the Desmosedici and the 1098R and S models.  Not $9000.

[ItalianHarley]

Porsche produced the boxster

Ducati produced the Monster.

Ducati also produced the Desmosedici and the 1098R and S models.  Not $9000.

MSRP on a Monster 696 is $8,995.  How is that exclusive?

MSRP on a Porche Boxster is $46,600...somewhat exclusive.

[EvilSteve]

A $9000 hat is exclusive, a $9000 couch is exclusive to some, a $9000 bike could also be exclusive. Compared to other bikes on the market for around $9k, what you get for your money isn't exactly apples to apples. There are intangible and subjective aspects to any bike purchase, to some people a 696 is worth $9k to some it's not. I'd suggest that more people think it's not worth that than think it is. Therefore it is exclusive and they only get more expensive from there.

[Craig Thomas]

probably has a much simpler fuel delivery system and far less exhaust restriction

but it looks like hell.. crank is probably shot, they always run best when the crank is about to die.

what to sell it?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UaSOtn-1eYw

[Grampa]

yup.... it's a turd. You should sell it..... cheap



I'll give ya fiddy bucks

[ducatiz]

MSRP on a Monster 696 is $8,995.  How is that exclusive?

MSRP on a Porche Boxster is $46,600...somewhat exclusive.

average price on cars and bikes is different.

a $40,000 bike is on the high end, but a $40,000 car is pretty common. 

Average price of a car nowadays is $28,400.  $46,000 isn't that crazy out of range

[Popeye the Sailor]

MSRP on a Monster 696 is $8,995.  How is that exclusive?

MSRP on a Porche Boxster is $46,600...somewhat exclusive.

Because it's a nine thousand dollar toy. It is not an everyday commuter, save for a few of us in the wamrer states, but primarily, it's money tossed down a hole. It's leathers, it's riding classes, it's track days, it's a toy hauler, and it sits 6 months a year doing nothing but eating bike payments and insurance.


For the most part-people do not buy nine thousand dollar toys and consider it a bargain. You can get something that needs less, probably more dependable, for a lot less.

[mitt]

So many things written in this thread that are misguided, it is hard to read.

But, I have to reply to volume versus quality.  Usually, higher volume = higher quality.  It has to by the laws of nature.  If your quality decreased with volume increasing, you would eventually have 100% bad.  For example, if you make 10, and 3 are bad (30%), then make 20 and 8 are bad (40%), then make 40 and 20 are bad (50%), you will get to 100% bad quickly as production grows.

The highest quality components in the world also have the highest production rate - atoms, cells, resistors, heartbeats, etc.

I would say that Ferrari is more hand made than a Porsche, but craftsmanship does not equal quality.

mitt

[desmodue]

@desmodue

The angle that Ducati are currently taking is to reduce the number of bikes sold, increase the average price (and margin) and remove the low end bikes from the range (have you noticed that the 696 is the only bike they sell for less than $10k?).

The fashion items and cups (wallets, glasses, co-branded bags, hats, money clips, watches, etc, etc.) are selling the exclusivity of the brand to people who want to feel like they're part of the club but that strategy doesn't every actually put more people on Ducatis or reduce the price of Ducatis. It increases the profit margin of Ducati the company.

If they get it right (no forgone conclusion of course), they can have their cake and eat it too.

The Board of Directors 2008-2010 industrial plan...increase 2010 sales by 30% as compared to 2007 sales.
   "Registrations of motorcycles will increase from 40.761 bikes in 2007 to 54.000 in 2010"

Charge more, use cheaper components, and increase the production line speed to increase profits...
"focus on price premium, margins and internal efficiency to improve financial results"

Sell the same bike for more years with little or no improvement each year...
"focus on development and management of product's life-cycle"

License the name to anyone who will write a check. Ducati wine? sure. Ducati shoes? ubetcha. Ducati anal lube? see your authorized dealer...
"exploit brand's potential to increase the accessories and apparel businesses and
licensing revenues"

[ducatiz]

Ducati anal lube? see your authorized dealer...

 

SIGN ME UP!

[Statler]

hell, they'd sell 3,837 tubes to the DMF alone.

[ducatiz]

hell, they'd sell 3,837 tubes to the DMF alone.

or 3837 / 2 ?  rofl

[Drunken Monkey]

No no no.. The original quote was from Fight Club.. My responses to obscure references seem a lot less clever when I have to explain them. 

Ahem.

I'm sorry but I don't fall prey to the Ikea nesting instinct of "what end table best defines me, as a person"

Anyone can quote fight club.  A Return to the Planet of the Apes reference takes real skill 

Back on topic: Odd that people view a 30K car as a commodity, but a $30K bike is exclusive. I've always viewed both as more or less equivalent*. And the fact that a 30K bike is far more exciting than the car equivalent is just more proof that cars suck.

Then again, a $30K airplane is bottom of the line...

*(disclaimer: this view is a result of living in CA. And predates my need to haul my wife, two kids and a dog around)

[ducatiz]

Anyone can quote fight club.  A Return to the Planet of the Apes reference takes real skill 

i have them all on LaserDisc, the only reason i keep the damn thing around.

Back on topic: Odd that people view a 30K car as a commodity, but a $30K bike is exclusive. I've always viewed both as more or less equivalent*. And the fact that a 30K bike is far more exciting than the car equivalent is just more proof that cars suck.

I don't think they are equivalent.  a 30k car is just getting a decent car wheras 30k for a bike gets you a new 1198S plus upgrades.

[Goat_Herder]

hell, they'd sell 3,837 tubes to the DMF alone.

I think it's time for a GROUP BUY!  I bet we can get a hellufa deal. 

I wonder if the any market research guy from Ducati Corp is reading this.  If you are out there, Mr. Market Research Guy, please tell the Corporate suits to continue building great bikes and don't change the special sauce!