Frankies 998/999 whats that all about?
 

I believe that his 998 is carrying a 999 engine. Did they ever make a 998 with a 999 engine? I think they did but I am not certain, if not how does that for with homologation rules?

think I have part answered it myself after a bit if a search, - an FO2 has a 999 engine, - although Frankie is not on a FO2, he keeps telling us he is on his last year bike which was the bike from the year before that, he did not have a FO2 last year.
So anyway back to homolgation rules then?

Are your from Bologna Mr Chili, no thats ok, we don't need to check your bike, move over for that Honda thing will you. I love it. :roll:

He has a 2 year old 998RS, with a 2004 999 RS engine fitted. He was quoted in saying he is riding a 998.5RS.

Hey, i'm sure, for once, the rules can be over looked.......... :lol:

It's when he turns up, with a 998RS with a 'sedici engine in the bike i think they might say something! :lol:

[Edited on 19-4-2004 by flanker]

998? 998?
 

If it looks like a 998, and it sounds like a 998, and goes better than a 999 .... then it's probably a 998 ! QED :lol::lol::lol:

The homologation rules are pretty slack, anyone bought a road going FPR 1 yet?

2002 998r had the latest shortstroke 999r motor.

You are allowed a certain amount of mixing and matching but they would probabaly draw the line at sticking some 999 bodywork on a 998!!

Racing is not always about having the latest kit but, a big difference is confidence and whats going on in your head.

A top result for an old boy who thought he would be selling ice creams a couple of years ago before he set up his own team.

You will struggle to find a more popular bloke in the paddock.

What a dilemma for Ducati Corse, happy that a local boy has won but on a old yellow bike!!?

Ray

B*gg*r !
 

.. forgot it was yellow .. :(

:sing::sing::sing::sing:

If you believe "mostly crap news", Ducati is less than happy with what Chili is doing with "mixing and matching". Doesn't seem to fit with their marketing strategy. Hmmm, I wonder why that would be...

Still, the real reason Chili won that second race has much more to do with the fact that he gambled on an intermediate rear. Everyone else was on full wets. If Laconi had been on intermediates, Chili would not have won. Simple as that, little to do with the bike.

This doesn't take anything away from Chili's win, but it does point out that (plagiarising from a certain Mr. Lemond) "it's not about the bike".

[Edited on 21-4-2004 by Felix]

Ducati marketing

Anyone else feel that Ducati as a company is going down a similar road to Harley D, where the marketing / "lifestyle" thing is more important than the bikes ?

It's probably a slightly naive point, but I do find the extensive Ducati branding a bit disconcerting.

Just my opinion of course

I suspect with the same tyres on a 999 he would NOT have won.
I fail to see why Ducati have to stop making the 998, has its sale numbers vastly dropped off especially when compared to the 999. Did the article in MCN not say that Ducati Fans helped determine what they produced. Is there not room for both so customers/fans have a choice.