How to explain Ducati

[scduc]

Today I was asked "whats so special about Ducati's?". I went into some of the details of why I love my bike and whats different aboout Duc's compared to the others, but I think I fell way short. Beside the "you just need to ride one", what answers do you give?

[Curmudgeon]

L-Twin, Desmo, low weight and low CG, handles, torquey and smooth. Nothing else delivers the same with the same character. Some aren't bad-looking either. 

[bob795]

I got that question from a couple of friends who know I bought a monster, my answer was it's a great looking bike, small, light and nimble, great to beat the city traffic jam, but also powerful for spirited ride... and I love riding.
The problem with my answer is I haven't ridden a monster  not even a test drive, my bike won't be delivered until next week.

I found that explaining our passion to the masses is really difficult, like they say: "If I have to explain it, you won't understand"

bob

[Count Zero]

It's a sport bike, but not a whiney-ass I4 motor covered in obnoxiously colored plastic.

[Desmo Demon]

what answers do you give?

I usually just say that I like having things that not eveyone else has. Then, if they say anything about the Ducati not being any type of rare or speical bike, I tell them I also have a Bimota at home. Most of them get a weird look on their face that tells me they have no idea what I just said, and as they are trying to process it, I walk away.

[SDRider]

I just wanted a bike that not everyone else has.  Plus, I like naked bikes so the Monster was it for me.  Although, I'm pretty smitten with the Streetfighter 848 too.  If that bike was available when I bought my bike I would have bought it instead.

[thought]

1. the sound... the heartbeat of the 2v's or the sound of a racing twin for the 4v's
2. how slim the bike is.  Sitting on i4's or i3's afterwards just feels odd due to how wide they are compared to twins.
3. trellis frames... not so much now with the new ones, but the trellis always has such a gorgeous engineered look to it
4. weight... duc is always pretty good about trying to shave off a lot more weight than other companies.  this pays back dividends in handling.
5. looks.  basically, if it consumes gas and italians designed it... i want it. haha
6. torque.  'nuff said.

That's a short list but what it boils down to for me is emotion really.  I've always held that bikes are a emotional decision not a rational one, hence the bikes you fall in love with arent always the smart choices.  Jap bikes would be the logical choice if that was drove you, but when you walk into that duc dealership... well... logic tends to just say goodbye right then and there

[Betty]

... bikes are an emotional decision not a rational one ...

That is all there is to it really ... it also allows you to 'reason' away any perceived shortcomings.

[wannabfast]

its something that cant really be explained, it just is

[ungeheuer]

Today I was asked "whats so special about Ducati's?".

If they have to ask.... they'll never understand 

[Raux]

simply.
"ride it then you tell me."

[JohnEE]

+1 On not having something that everyone else has.

For me it was the Trelis frame, L-Twin grunt and it's the best looking naked bike out there.

[hunduc]

5. looks.  basically, if it consumes gas and italians designed it... i want it. haha

even when those italians are argentinians...   

but i will use your list nevertheless.

[Ducatamount]

Soul,baby,soul.

[mickyvee]

  Back in the day, my Z1 and GS1000 riding friends asked me the same question when I laid out a LOT of dosh for a Laverda Jota. I didn't know the answer then, and, now Evo mounted, I still don't know! I used to say that being half Italian had something to do with it, But that was just a cover. I just love Italian bikes!