Ducati Cruiser

[heatherp]

Okay - I'll bite.

I have seen a lot of this picture on different sites lately.  I personally think Ducati and cruiser just don't go together. And I know it's just a prototype (if it is even real).  But What are they thinking  

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/new-ducati-cruiser---more-pictures/12889.html

It looks like a Monster slept with a Rocket 3!!!

[Mr.S2R]

cmon what are you saying Heather?? I would love to get my hands on a Ducati cruiser - bring back the Indiana.  Now there is a cruiser everyone has forgotten about.....

[ducatiz]

The persistence of this myth amazes me.

Ducati would sooner sell trikes than a cruiser.

[heatherp]

 
Sorry, not my cup of tea  

Looks like a Guzzi Californian.  Haven't seen many good looking Guzzis.

[Mr.S2R]

Sorry, not my cup of tea  

Looks like a Guzzi Californian.  Haven't seen many good looking Guzzis.

yeah I agree about it looking like a Californian.  Good looking Guzzis are far and few between - my bro in law bro had a Le Mans Sport 1000, black, clip ons, very nice  [moto]

[Betty]

Its a complicated issue with many things in play ... but bottom line is, well, the bottom line. For Ducati to stay in business they need to sell bikes ... the more profitable lines that they have, the more chance they have of staying in business. And you don't know what is profitable until you put something on the market.

Trends, styles, fashions, priorities and tastes change ... if your whole business is based on Superbikes and then you produce a 999, the whole business could be at risk.

People have varying views but it is existing Ducati owners that seem to object the most to this MegaCruiser - should that concern Ducati? Maybe, but not necessarily ... I mean how many new Ducatis do we buy? I mean we don't even buy from their performance catalogue or get servicing from their dealers.

I could keep going for ages so I'd better stop ... for now.

[ducatiz]

People have varying views but it is existing Ducati owners that seem to object the most to this MegaCruiser - should that concern Ducati? Maybe, but not necessarily ... I mean how many new Ducatis do we buy? I mean we don't even buy from their performance catalogue or get servicing from their dealers.

That's a very good point.  If it attracts new owners and new buyers, they are successful.

As far as new Ducatis, I have bought 3 in my lifetime over 20 years of riding.  But plenty of used bikes.

It seems to me Ducati could make tons of money just selling parts for 10-20 yo bikes, if they would just keep making them....

[Mr.S2R]

I am not against Ducati producing a cruiser, in fact I applaud Ducati for testing new grounds and trying to expand their market reach.  However, I fear that Ducati has fallen in to the same syndrome as Harley and Porsche.  You look at both companies, they tried something different, wasnt successful, and reverted back to old designs.

Example 1:  the V-Rod initially wasnt all that readily accepted because despite technology and reliability, it still wasnt the classic push rod design.

Example 2: Porsches failed forays in to front engine vehicles - 924, 944, 928.  The have resorted back to the stable 911 foundation that has kept the company afloat.

So I hope Ducati has a lesson learnt from the 999.  Whilst it was a bold statement, it was basically rejected by Ducatisti and other market alike.  I hope they get the design and style right, and open up new markets.

thus end my dribble  

[J5]

Sorry, not my cup of tea  

Looks like a Guzzi Californian.  Haven't seen many good looking Guzzis.

thats slowly changing due to aprilia needing to sell more bikes out of guzzi to make it more profitable

new prototypes at the bike shows of a sports nature


i think it will be released , to start seeing it on the road means it prob isnt far away

Like all companies they need to broaden their market


look at triumph they have slowly branched into sportsbikes , thats a hook for younger buyers , the rocketIII  , to gain some of the cruiser market

how many people have started on a superbike and then later got onto a monster / st etc

its the same reason hypermotards came along

the cruiser will come and with any luck it will be a success and a decent bike to boot

[Betty]

Example 2: Porsches failed forays in to front engine vehicles - 924, 944, 928.  The have resorted back to the stable 911 foundation that has kept the company afloat.

But then they did the MegaSUV (I know I would name it incorrectly) and from what I understand sold shitloads (well relative shitloads anyway). So who knows?

The other path is that of BMW - all about the volume. From what I understand every bastard in the UK has one, kinda not the same anymore.

Ducati could just have the right balance 

[avizpls]

thats not a cruiser.

[NFG]

thats not a cruiser.

I'm with you.  It's huge and weird and, IMO, a rather striking (if hard to accept initially) design.  Doesn't really fit my cruiser profile.

[mattyvas]

Can we say US market.
Sales = $$$ for racing.

[heatherp]

yeah I agree about it looking like a Californian.  Good looking Guzzis are far and few between - my bro in law bro had a Le Mans Sport 1000, black, clip ons, very nice  [moto]

I sat on the back of one of those for 8 years.  Which I why I now sit at the front of a Monster. 

[ducatiz]

 Haven't seen many good looking Guzzis.

REALLY??