.............
I’m into different things and yes, desirability and exclusivity are important but so is design, you are right Ducati is a styling team, PT was part of the CRC group including Sergio Robbiano (who’s work I also like) but more importantly Massimo Tamburini and the influences in PT’s design came from his time as a young designer spent with him. ......... I don’t believe Ducati’s problems 2000 on were down to PT’s designs, DNA CEO Michael Lock said the complete opposite and I’d guess he’s got a far greater degree of understanding than most!
Claudio Domenical has been responsible for product for 2 years, as head of Ducati corse his background is racing so its obvious Ducati will focus on SBK but what they are doing isn’t groundbreaking. ................. I just don’t see it any longer. Maybe its a sign of how design has changed globally with less and less truly innovative product?
If you really can’t see what the likes of BM and KTM are doing you need to get out from the dealership more and take the blinkers off .........
I don’t think I’m being too cynical, what I see is a brand moving mainstream and its not what I like ( and it seems others here) and that’s reflected on other Ducati sites, that’s not a negative its just evolution, part of life but I’ve got no doubt Ducati will continue to attract passionate owners who’ll continue to believe in what Ducati do
Chapter 2
Michael, of course I am delighted with an increase in sales and how the business is doing, OK, that's a given but i'm also an owner and was an owner FIRST. This is not just the corporate whore speaking here. I am an enthusiast and have done more in and outside this country for the brand than most - purely out of my passion for it!
I can tell you, the large majority of my client base is delighted with the product and the improvements therein. I assure you, I don't like dealing with customer compaints regarding the product and frankly for the last few years they are now very rare. The general thoughts around here is that we have a far more content customer across the board.
Ironically it is the Ducati owners forums where I find those most unhappy!!:dunno: :thumbsdown:
I can see you are looking for innovation, cutting edge and icon status.
But to address the latter first :- There is just no way to build an icon every time you build a bike. If you did the word 'icon' would quickly cease to exist - there would be no need for it. They would all just be called 'very good!"
The 1098 may not be a ground breaking icon in comparison to its grandad but it certainly eclipsed anything its grandad ever achieved in sales - in one year!!!!! It may not have the product life of the 916, I doubt anything ever will. I doubt Ducati thought it would ever be that way when it was designed. Personally I think if I see another bike of that ilk in my lifetime it will be an amazing feat!
All of our new bikes bring cutting edge innovation and design in abundance. The engineering in the bikes from such a small company amazes me every time I am treated to a new design brief. Take the swingarm of the superbike as a good example, a masterpiece in itself. Not a new idea, granted - but to produce it at the same weight as the twin sider that went before it with the right flex attributes is incredible!!
The Desmosedici !!!!
The new crank cases on the 848, as thin and strong as they are, has taken perfection of the vacuum casting process over 3 years.
Or the fact the 1098R is 165kg with 180bhp - from a road legal twin sportsbike, with traction control and a warranty.
Or the fact the Italians are now leading the way over the Japanese when it comes to electronics packages. If you suggested that just 5 years ago you would be laughed out the pub.
If you think about the size of this comapny and what they are up against, that is a breathtaking acheivement. It is sheer imagination and innovation in itself!
Granted, it's not radical redesign of the wheel but it is the constant drive to achieve a better solution and perfection of the present equation.
Neither do I blame PTs design for the trouble in Ducati from 2000 onwards but I think we all know they maybe didn't help. He didn't do them all on his own but was left there when the sh1t hit the fan!! There was a board that approved the whole affair.
Remember I opened this store in 2002 just when the 999 was released. I saw it before anyone else did and loved it straight away. To this day I still don't understand why it wasn't the sales success it deserved to be. IMHO It still has one of the very best front ends in the business and will eventually reach cult status!!
I
have been out of the dealership and seen all of the competition. "Blinkers off". Remember I used to work with a small firm designing bikes. There is precious little I see out there from BM or KTM that I see is ground breaking, especially in comparison to what Ducati build. I just don't see where you are coming from at all!?!
In my position, I don't want to publicly criticise any other brand or manufacturer and simply won't ..... but suffice to say I find BM and KTMs styling not to my particular taste and I could be in a minority but realise they are an excellent product nonetheless.
Ducatisti, to my mind, need to show support for the brand and the factory. Not just the bike they currently own. I'm not a big fan of "fairweather supporters" (not that i'm suggesting anyone here is - just in general
)
You have to be there for better or worse. Rough out the bad times and enjoy the good times. They're sweeter then.
Sure, everyone is entitled to an opinion but it's how you voice that opinion that sets you apart. I was contacted tonight by a punter who signed on to this thread and thought he was on the wrong forum - that's not right now, is it?!!!
Mart
