New M8xx?

[NWapex]

I was traveling prior to Thanksgiving and decided to stop into the local Ducati dealership (Colorado).  In my conversation with the sales rep, he said a new M8xx was going to be released in the next year.  It would be an aircooled and he suggested it would be called M896.  Anyone else hear this?

[Travman]

I don't think we have heard of anything yet.  The salesman may be talking out of his a$$ or maybe he knows something.  Ducati does have an 803cc air cooled engine in the new Hypermotard 796.  This engine could be placed into the Monster chassis and they could call it a Monster 796 or Monster 800.

[lwszabo]

i miss my M800...just saying

[JEFF_H]

Hello new Supersport

stands to reason if they did this they would also have a 1100 version as well.
I pitched the air-cooled new supersport idea to somebody at ducati 2 years ago

(not that i would think i was the only one who thought of this...but they still havent paid me for the single-swingarm monster I made in 2000 that they later turned into the S2R!  )

[mikeb]

I don't understand what an M8xx would accomplish.  The 796 engine (which is the likely mill in an 8xx) makes virtually identical power to the 696.  So you don't gain a single thing by have both bikes.  Unless you give it the single-sided swingarm off the 1100.  Then you're right back where you were before with the 695 and S2R 800/1000.  Sure it's a easy, parts bin, way to offer a 3rd Monster.  But it'll merely rob sales from either the 696 or 1100. 

I'd rather see a new Supersport......

[EvilSteve]

Don't have to tune the engine as high with larger capacity to get the same performance. If they're going with the 800cc across different models then there's also a cost saving for Ducati in producing a smaller number of engine variations. The release of the Hyper 796 suggests that they're looking at the ROI angle wrt reuse. Reuse would include the swingarm of the 1100 if they did use that (I'd prefer it), I'm not sure what cost-benefit they'd get as compared to continuing production of two different swingarms for the same model range.

I've always wondered why Ducati hasn't looked more seriously into reuse of parts like this to save on production costs.

[mikeb]

I've always wondered why Ducati hasn't looked more seriously into reuse of parts like this to save on production costs.

Not sure I understand....mainly because they've always been heavy into reuse. Ducati is the king of reuse.  The M620, M800, M1000 all used the same chassis.  They shared everything.  Then when the S*R series came out the S2R 800/1000 and S4R all shared the same swingarm.  Coupled with the fact that the frame, tank, seat, etc were shared across all models.  They used the same 800/1000 engines in the SS bikes.  The 1000 engine in the Mutli and Sport Classics.  

Ducati has always reused parts.....which is my main gripe.  I want to see original bikes.  Not 3 identical (mostly) Monsters with different engines.  It saves them production costs.  But there is too much overlap in their model line if you ask me.

[ducatiz]

I cannot see a new Supersport being made considering the demise of the old one -- they sold fewer than 500 SS bikes worldwide in the last two years -- they were HUGELY UNPOPULAR.

Now if we get something that is retro-styled, i.e. in the same way the new SBKs are borrowing from the old design, and in the 800cc range and close to 90 hp. 

Bear in mind the 696 had 80 hp, while the S2R 800 has 77.  the HMT 796 has 81. 

Why do we get 80 out of the 696?  Fuel system, I think -- the Siemens EFI on that bike is far superior than the Marelli setup.

Use that same fuel system on an 800 bike, there is no reason to expect less than 85-88 hp on an untuned bike.

[EvilSteve]

My point is that the Multi used the same engine, had a different swing arm and a different frame. The Hyper had the same swingarm as the multi but a *slightly* different frame but used the same motor. The S*R had a different frame, same motor and a different swing arm. While the 620/695 were still around, they had yet another swingarm/motor/frame combination. Then there were the classics, the list goes on.

In reality the bikes aren't that different.

I've never really been concerned with the bikes being similar, I'm honestly not worried but each to their own.

[orangelion03]

This looks like the perfect place to list my Xmas wish...

How about a 696 Streetfighter?

[mikeb]

I cannot see a new Supersport being made considering the demise of the old one -- they sold fewer than 500 SS bikes worldwide in the last two years -- they were HUGELY UNPOPULAR.

Yeah, that's because it was ugly.  It could work if they give it looks like the 1098.  Or look at the NCR Millona.  It could work if it looked right and cost less than the SBK.  But I won't hold my breath.....

[mikeb]

I've never really been concerned with the bikes being similar, I'm honestly not worried but each to their own.

It's not that I'm worried or concerned.  Its just want to see them push things.  Like when the Hyper came out, or the new SBK, or the Streetfighter.  Adding an 800 to the Monster line, or a Dark to the 848 line, isn't exciting.  I'd rather see a new model....

It does make some sense.  They've got the parts on hand so it doesn't cost them anything. 

[Porsche Monkey]

This looks like the perfect place to list my Xmas wish...

How about a 696 Streetfighter?

They already make one.  Its called a monster. An 848 streetfighter wouldn't be so bad.

[caperix]

I cannot see a new Supersport being made considering the demise of the old one -- they sold fewer than 500 SS bikes worldwide in the last two years -- they were HUGELY UNPOPULAR.

Now if we get something that is retro-styled, i.e. in the same way the new SBKs are borrowing from the old design, and in the 800cc range and close to 90 hp. 

Bear in mind the 696 had 80 hp, while the S2R 800 has 77.  the HMT 796 has 81. 

Why do we get 80 out of the 696?  Fuel system, I think -- the Siemens EFI on that bike is far superior than the Marelli setup.

Use that same fuel system on an 800 bike, there is no reason to expect less than 85-88 hp on an untuned bike.

I don't know if the Siemens ECU is really any better then the Marelli, if just mapping was needed a 695 with a power commander should make 80 hp.  Most of the power gains are from the cylinder heads and cams used on the 696.  I would like to see a dyno chart to conferm but I think the 796 hyper is tuned for more midrange, that would explain why the peak power is so close to the 100 cc smaller engine.

[the_Journeyman]

Wow.  Only thing I have to add is 80HP?  That's the same my 900SS makes. Granted I've probably got a decent torque advantage.  The 796 mill might only gain a HP or two, but how much torque difference?

JM