Ducati Diavel [HFL]

[DucNaked]

That thing looks stupid.

+1

[SacDuc]

Stop light to Stop light in downtown LA

Then I look forward to the Ducati Performance LED and black light kit.  


 


sac

[SacDuc]

I can see the ad copy now:

"The new Ducati Diavel -giving you the power and freedom to to bar hop and do your weekly Starbucks / Whole Foods run with a performance and agility unmatched by your Range Rover."

Cheers,
Adam

Can you imagine the amount of wine consumed at the Ducati board meeting when this conversation took place:

Hey Giovanni, we need to start making in roads into the middle-aged American market and compete with HD and BMW. What do you think?

But Guiseppe, the economy in America is stagnant at best, unemployment is high and the average consumer has much less disposable income. Consumers are holding onto their money until their jobs are more secure and they have equity in their homes again.

Geez, you're right. The only way to make in roads into the American market is produce an over priced status symbol that is complete departure from everything we have stood for as a brand and as a company for the last several decades. The time ripe for us to make a poorly performing and stylistically confusing bike. It is only logical to rely solely on brand recognition and reputation when trying to court a new demographic that is unfamiliar with our product and history. By god at this rate we will be able to ramp up production of Indianas by 2014!

The rest of the board: BRILLIANT!!

sac

[DucHead]

...This POS seems to be designed specifically for the "let's parade to the cafe/tavern and back" crowd....

That accounts for hundreds of motorcyclists in the Raleigh/Durham metropolitan area, and thousands upon thousands nationwide.  It's not for me, but I can easily see how many people would like it.  Perhaps they'll sell a few or even a lot.

After all, Ducati is in the motorcycle sales business and they can't please everyone.

[Raux]

Well I think the point is they are TRYING to please everyone. Just not every bike has to please everyone.
BMW kinda of does it, they have bikes across the spectrum.
Ducati was sort of pigeon holed into sport/sporty bikes
This is one step towards a possible new kind of touring bike for ducati
Imagine a Ducat bagger They could call it the Biaggi

[Monster Dave]

Well I think the point is they are TRYING to please everyone. Just not every bike has to please everyone.
BMW kinda of does it, they have bikes across the spectrum.
Ducati was sort of pigeon holed into sport/sporty bikes
This is one step towards a possible new kind of touring bike for ducati
Imagine a Ducat bagger They could call it the Biaggi

True, but hopefully there will come a time when Ducati stops themselves from whoring out their brand. I like having a Duc, I like that it's Italian, that my very own bike was born in Italy, and that there aren't a million of them running around like so many other brand of bikes. I like that the brand represents more than just a common place bike. As I see it, the minute that Ducati starts trying to appease the crowds of cruiser riders, the whole shape of the brand will change.

For better or for worse, I think that Ducati should stick to being niche brand and not pollute the gene pool.

[Raux]

Ducati, unfortunately, is not an idealogical business, it's a business. It cuts costs to increase profits, it tries different markets to expand it's bottom line. In the end, IF they can make money at it, they'll do it. One of the biggest reasons Ducati has been so niche is production capability. I think they've moved to a new facility or are moving, either way, they don't plan on being the small volume manufacturer forever apparently.

so yes, I expect more models, and maybe even new markets for them. hell they have cafe's now. Think about that... that isn't a company set on being a sportbike manufacturer only. it's a money thing.

[muskrat]

tripling sales isn't such a lofty goal, after all Vmax sales are like one thousand worldwide right? 
I'm NOT liking this bike's appearance and I'm also a cruiser guy who doesn't stop for coffee but puts over 10,000 miles a year on just my cruiser and adding the Duc another 6,000 or so.  Just wish I had more time to ride.

[Speedbag]

(though I don't get the point of the V Rod)

Um, my VRSCR has been the best all-around bike that I've owned to date (the 'R being the redheaded stepchild of the V-Rod line, a redheaded stepchild itself)....

 

[arai_speed]

Not my thang!

[ROBsS4R]

I have really mixed feelings about this like most new Ducati's that are released.

It has potential though

Can those pipes, get a different headlight cowl or maybe no cowl at all and not sure what you can do about those airvents  

[hunduc]

I think this is a huge mistake.

+1 to everything sac said.

[Airborne]

I want the front fender and wheels for my monster.


And thats all I have to say about that.

[Duck-Stew]

As a customizer:  It's a good new platform to mod and build around.   Result:

As a drag-racing fan:  A 240 rr tire is a LOT of meat to launch that pregnant dog.  Result: 

As someone who's pushed a V-Rod around a tight twisty road:  There's more to *today's* cruisers for handling then one might think.
Result: 

Styling:     Got to see it in person first.

Is it your typical Ducati (whatever the F that is):   

And that's where I think it losses something w/the Ducati crowds.  It's not your usual Duc, although the Monster sure wasn't in 1993 either but look how that turned out....

[junior varsity]

i'm looking forward to getting a press-bike/demo-bike at the shop. I'm looking forward to seeing which of our crew gets a knee down on this beast at the motorsport ranch

looks like a different kind of fun to me.