| Ducati Racing...
Ducati Racing - where's it all going ?
Downwards I'm afraid. Due to a lot of things, but I recon mainly cost / availability / and the Japanese catching up - are 3 of the main.
Costs - 1 BSB SB rider = 2 bikes ( 03 999's 75K ? 02 998's 50K ? 01 996's 25K ?) and usually 4 / 5 engines ( 15 K each ) - and that's just the start. Bear in mind min service intervals for 999 etc will be 600 miles (heads) 1500 miles (full strip). One BSB weekend event covers 250 / 350 miles.
Availability - Ducati Corse produce worldwide approx 25 999's. So that ain't a lot to go round. 998's are just about on the gas - for the moment - 996's are just about Ok for top club racers - Converted Street 999's ain't worth getting out of the van. Miles off the pace.
Japanese 4 Cylinder kit. Well now then....Not probs with availability - take a stock Gixer / R1 / ZX10R ( and Blade soon ) all about 8 K each and about 155 / 160 bhp approx. Tune it / add some toys and you've got a 170 bhp missile - that owes you @ worst 15 / 18 K.( ok 25K being silly ) Service intervals ? Apart from oil and filters miles and miles - perhaps 2 twice in a season - and that's worst case sinario.
What have Ducati in reply? Different fairings for the new 999's ??
Honest - we're in for a hard time - at all levels. And I've not seen a Ducati Moto GP bike on E bay yet !
ta
Alan  | 
14-Apr-2004, 17:26 
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