Having waited with anticipation for quite a while to see the new bike and read all the comments by folk about this bike,it seems to me the consenus opinion of this model is...yes it's good (I think the performance is it's main selling point) but,it doesn't grab you with a "run to your dealer now" feeling.
If this was an Aprillia,Yam,Suz etc we would all probably be fine with it,but the level of expectation with Ducati is different,whose core brand differenciation is Design (like Ferrari,MV,ALFA etc). Many of us are picking up on the Design inconcistancies i.e;
1.Exhaust/seat relationship or should I say,attractive seat with an exhaust thats being designed in isolation without ever seeing what it will be sat next to.
2.Heat shield.... say no more....buteasily sorted
3.Fairing side. This is fine but not striking,dynamic,different...back to expectations and what Ducati is known for.If you look at the images of the three bikes above,look at the sophisticated and elegant suface of the 996, the dynamic and new treatment of the 999 and then we have the 1098...which is fine but doesn't excit.
4. Lights/air intake. quite interesting,no strong feeling for or against.
These in isolation don't sound that big a problem when you put them in the context of the jap stuff (gixa 1000 exhausts,people accept them), but what you do expect with ducatis is a cohesive and sophisticated design.Look at the above images and thats what we have, even if people don't gell with the 999,its still consistent with its self.
Yes,we haven't seen it in the flesh,and yes it will grow on us but I'd be very interested to see how many deposits are being put down.I do think its biggest selling point and a great one is the performance.... but if thats al I wanted I would buy jap stuff. I want performance and DESIGN.
Address withheld for fear of having my windows stoned and burnt to the ground !!!! | 
