| Like I said I like both shapes for different reasons. I own a 2003 999s and love it. I love the looks and I love the way it rides. I think people have got it all wrong when they say it is ugly, and one day will eat their words when it will be looked at as ahead of its time and as much a classic as any other Ducati. Will it be iconic, to be honest maybe not as that is completley different. The 916 was like nothing else when it came out in the 90's and it is hard to see any motorcycle being that iconic again but who knows!
When I showed mine last year at the Bristol Italian Auto Moto Festival I had alot of interest from engineers who loved the trelis and the pipe work of the exhaust. I had photographers from Bristol University taking pictures of it from all angles for their courses and not to mention the general public who wanted their pictures with it or their kids sat on it. I came away thinking "well it cant be that ugly".
Another thing which bugs me about the bike mags is how they say how crap the 999 range is compared to 1000 4's. Well mmm yes but I dont look to compete with the 1000's but look to the 750's as that is where itshould be pitched anyway. If Ducati bring out a 1200 then fair enough because that will be where it will be marketed anyway but the press should play fair.
And another thing which bugs. I read last week some where that said the Ducati 999 was no match for the Japanese 4's and then I think the same mag said that the new Ducati S4RS was a rival for the big 4's sportbikes. I sat there s******ing saying outloud. "So the engine was rubbish a minute ago and now its good"
The press seem to have it in for Ducati at the moment with lots of anti stuff flying about. I think it is just the British way of build them up and knock them down. Its like this debate about raising the limit in WSB. I wont to see a race of level performance bikes and dont want to see a return to the twins advantage as seen before but as long as the rules are changed to stop Ducati tuning their bikes to the max like they have to at the moment (with GP costs) then I cant see what the fuss is all about. Ducati are doing amazing things at the moment but at the cost of a small African country. And I agree with Ducati that that is not in the spirit of superbike racing. I thought it was interesting to see the Japanese dont want the 1200 vtwin and dont want to see desmosedicci arrive in WSB. I think that says we dont want you lot in full stop as we want to win and you keep ruining the party.
There said it now.  |