| I bought into the brand as a passionate person. I don't care so much what the other think to be honest.
For everyday I have a Honda actually and I only take the Ducati out for real fun riding among other Ducatisti or for track days. Today actually one guy at work was amazed that I was a biker (well he must be blind cos I am wearing biking gears everyday) and asked me what I rode. I told him that I had 3 bikes, mentioned the VTR Honda, did not mention the Ducatis.
I used to dream about the SS when I took my licence and what sealed it was my instructor lending me the Monster 600 of one of his mates (in 1994 that was something special) to go around the car park with it! I love riding a true Ducati. I miss so much my 900 Superlight with carbs. That bike is nothing really special to look at but riding it gives the essence of what a Ducati is about. Not much posing about it, just pure pleasure. I am currently doing up my SPS in proper style too a bit like a Harley owner would put a custom low rider together. I am replacing just every part with pure race bred stuff. Joe Bloke in the street would just not get the difference to a standard road bike, I just do it to enjoy the feeling of riding a special machine.
So the posing factor about a Duke, nope. I like the idea of choosing the Duke as an alternative to the jap bikes. Something pure race bred, no compromise, not designed for the road, total nonsense actually but who cares, every mile on it is an intense pleasure.
For me this is what Ducati is about, a brand for passionate people who appreciate the pleasure of riding something special, and taking care of the bike and its maintenance too. This is the total experience.
Somehow the current production has lost this appeal. The Ducati is no longer the sharpest tool in the shed vs the Jap competition. I agree (to an extend) that there should be some practical bikes in the range that appeal to a level of day to day use but the pinnacle of the range should be something totally race bred, no compromise... like a Desmosedici on the road. Instead we get pens and coffee cups! Ferrari did the F40 / F50 / Enzo, why does Ducati not do the same thing?
The milking of the brand also brings a lot of attention seekers that suddenly think that part of cool involves having a Ducati. And the cool brand becomes uncool. Somehow I will find disturbing being associated to the new attention seeker clientele and if anything that will turn me away from the brand.  |