I showed that as an example of a 4v SS/ST style
likely will develop a frame similar to the Monster/MTS/Diavel/HM with the trellis/semi-trellis/cast mix.
I'd have preferred/would have bought an M796ST had one been available, on the order of an F800GT BMW, but I expect that ST sales were so poor in the past, this is no direction they want to pursue.
Where you are living, the politzei are using F800GT variants for some stuff, right? F-Series are not especially reliable either...., and the Rotax buzzes! I'd have been curious to see what fairing Ducati might have devised with a more upright seating position. I'll bet it wouldn't have had a snout like an insect either..., but what do I know.
I'm fairly sure they don't consider ST bikes much of a market sadly. Not enough with my taste to keep them moving out the door...
Just a comment on this thread and Q1 sales figures: It's not possible to interpret these figures although it's nice to have the model breakdown. You will not see the real picture until you see fiscal 2012 vs fiscal 2013. Not all models are produced all the time.
For ~ 10 years I ordered all the Porsches for one of the larger dealers on the planet. For example, some 911 build slots were only available in quantity during the dead of winter with snow everywhere. If you passed on the build slot though and were not willing to warehouse cabrios until, April or May, you'd be stuck with little or none to sell. That would have cost us a fortune although we DID have to pay for months of floor plan.
In any event, to understand the Big Picture, you need to know all the wrinkles; otherwise you can't truly interpret this stuff.