2014 Silly Season?...maybe spoilers

[Raux]

I could see them keeping Ben if he comes back and putting Redding in the junior team

[duccarlos]

I can understand Cal wanting the money from a factory contract.

That said, he's be an idiot to take the Duc ride.

Are you listening Cal?

+1 Cal seems to only want to get factory money, cause if he really just wants to win, I would not go to Ducati until they can show that Audi $$$ is being put to good use.

I'm by far not a Nicky fan. The kid is a great ambassador for the brand, but that does not outweigh the need for podiums. I'm not surprised Ducati has kept him around. They can't design a MotoGP bike worth a damn, but they know that to sell in the US you need a brand name, ala Harley, and an American riding the turd. If Nicky was not from the US. I'm positive that people outside the US have been wondering for years why Ducati keeps employing Nicky. I doubt the #69 fan club is big in Europe. Bottom line, Nicky has been instrumental in helping Ducati sell in their biggest market. Now Audi wants to see results in MotoGP and the writing is on the wall. Frankly I would not renew Dovi either. If anything I would be looking at Redding and Ioanone (sp?) and build a bike around them.

[ducpainter]

+1 Cal seems to only want to get factory money, cause if he really just wants to win, I would not go to Ducati until they can show that Audi $$$ is being put to good use.

I'm by far not a Nicky fan. The kid is a great ambassador for the brand, but that does not outweigh the need for podiums. I'm not surprised Ducati has kept him around. They can't design a MotoGP bike worth a damn, but they know that to sell in the US you need a brand name, ala Harley, and an American riding the turd. If Nicky was not from the US. I'm positive that people outside the US have been wondering for years why Ducati keeps employing Nicky. I doubt the #69 fan club is big in Europe. Bottom line, Nicky has been instrumental in helping Ducati sell in their biggest market. Now Audi wants to see results in MotoGP and the writing is on the wall. Frankly I would not renew Dovi either. If anything I would be looking at Redding and Ioanone (sp?) and build a bike around them.

Only one problem with Ducati building a bike around anyone.

It seems they don't understand the tires, and until they do they will not succeed again in GP.

[DanTheMan]

Really curious to see how many bikes were actually sold because Nicky rode for ducati. How many people here actually bought a bike because Nicky was riding it? Really dont believe it is the cash cow its being made out to be. But i cant explain why else would they keep him on a factory ride (work horse? No one better? Ducati has been loyal to keep him on this long?). I'd say your average rider/ducati owner doesn't follow motogp. How many members of the DMF and how many post in the GP threads? I mean, i like ben spies, but im not going to go out and buy a yamaha. <stirring the pot>

Maybe Cal is the next golden child like stoner. That bike has been shit since (maybe always) 2007 but seems stoner could win on it, when it has killed careers.  Can Cal be the chosen one that the oracle has spoken of?  Hope he gets a Honda or Yamaha factory ride while he's at his prime. Afraid he'll end up like Melandri, he was kicking ass then got screwed with the ducati. 

[zooom]

I mean, i like ben spies, but im not going to go out and buy a yamaha. <stirring the pot>

you do know he rides a Ducati now right? 

[ducpainter]

you do know he rides a Ducati now right? 

Actually...

the Duc hurt him.

He's not riding at all.

[ZLTFUL]

Bear in mind that i am not a Nicky hayden fan per say. I like the guy and he has shown great patience.

But some food for thought...
The *only* time-frame in his tenure at Ducati where he wasn't at least competitive on a regular basis with his teammate was the Stoner years.
With Rossi (who we know can be competitive on a decent bike) and Dovi (who showed some brilliance on his Repsol Honda), Hayden has consistently finished in front of or right behind his counterpart on the team. (The finishes are available on the MotoGP site and I am too lazy to copy and paste the stats)
We also know that the last time that he was on a competitive bike (that was being developed for another rider), he was consitently competitive.
This makes it arguable in his favor that if given a competitive bike again, he could be competitive. Maybe not top 5 but constantly battling for 4th and 5th with periodic podiums.

And while he is not a household name to the average rider, there is no denying his impact in the US market for Ducati. If you look at their sales numbers, in the years that there is an American on their bikes, whether it be in MotoGP, WSBK or AMA, they have slightly higher sales figures. Obviously not a make or break number increase but definitely noticeable.

He also is quite a draw in Europe. Arguably as big of a draw as some of the "locals" because he is a very likeable character.

All of that being said, marketing draw isn't so much of a big deal if you aren't winning races or getting podiums.

Nicky's future is most likely not going to be in MotoGP. Too many young rockstars are coming up in moto2. Redding, Pol, Hell...the Spanish Champ Torres put on a clinic of how to win the Sausage Ring last weekend. WBSK is going to be his best option. AMA Pro Roadracing is in an abysmal state with DMG making efforts to destroy the series almost weekly instead of re-igniting it.
For those who want him to take on the triple crown, he still has some big dollar potential in WSBK and I doubt he would risk injury in a home-grown series like AMA Flat-track until he has a few years in WSBK behind him. Too much to risk for so little gain right now.

[zooom]

you do know he rides a Ducati now right? 

Actually...

the Duc hurt him.

He's not riding at all.

I didn't say what Ducati he is riding...he is right now just riding a Ducati Paycheck that put a Ducati chair underneath his arse...

[Raux]

Ducati should scrap the entire program and start anew.

New motor (it's too large and stiff of a structure to allow chassis flex)
New chassis (go back to what they know, trellis)
New riders (Redding, Sykes )

[DanTheMan]

you do know he rides a Ducati now right? 

Actually i forgot cause he's been out

But some food for thought...
The *only* time-frame in his tenure at Ducati where he wasn't at least competitive on a regular basis with his teammate was the Stoner years.
With Rossi (who we know can be competitive on a decent bike) and Dovi (who showed some brilliance on his Repsol Honda), Hayden has consistently finished in front of or right behind his counterpart on the team. (The finishes are available on the MotoGP site and I am too lazy to copy and paste the stats)
We also know that the last time that he was on a competitive bike (that was being developed for another rider), he was consitently competitive.
This makes it arguable in his favor that if given a competitive bike again, he could be competitive. Maybe not top 5 but constantly battling for 4th and 5th with periodic podiums.

ok true, he has been the top finisher for them

[/quote]
And while he is not a household name to the average rider, there is no denying his impact in the US market for Ducati. If you look at their sales numbers, in the years that there is an American on their bikes, whether it be in MotoGP, WSBK or AMA, they have slightly higher sales figures. Obviously not a make or break number increase but definitely noticeable.
[/quote]

also during this time they have introduced a lot of new models. streetfighter, new multi, new monster's, 848, 1098, 1198, hypermotard (sport classic? not that it was a big winner). And come to think of it they take apple's business model. Introduce a new bike, then a small upgrade of the same a year later. Intro the big Hyper, then later the smaller hyper...Iphone 16Gb then year later Iphone 32 or 64 GB...

[MadDuck]

Personally, as much as I like & admire Nicky ( except for the stupid, flat billed hats that are too big for him  ) he has never influenced me one way or the other with regards to any Ducati purchases I've made.  Can't speak for others and how would anyone even quantify this?  Does Ducati survey customers with Hayden specific questions?

Hayden influence on a buying decision?  Well, if I found a low mileage Hayden version RC-51............

[zooom]

Personally, as much as I like & admire Nicky ( except for the stupid, flat billed hats that are too big for him  ) he has never influenced me one way or the other with regards to any Ducati purchases I've made.   

+1

    Well, if I found a low mileage Hayden version RC-51............

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/2004-honda-rc51-nicky-hayden-with-less-than-2000-miles/

[gm2]

guess: bradl gets nicky's bike, cal gets the LCR and then pedro's bike in 2015.

[gm2]

guess: bradl gets nicky's bike, cal gets the LCR and then pedro's bike in 2015.

  -> http://superbikeplanet.com/2013/Jul/130719ed.htm

maybe it's a good guess =)

[zooom]

guess: bradl gets nicky's bike, cal gets the LCR and then pedro's bike in 2015.

make zee Germans happy with a German on the Eye-talian stallion....