2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale Preview

[seruzawa]

Originally Posted by mlynch001

As far as H_D and Ducati "gaining" market share in the USA and Europe, those who buy their products are persons who have much larger disposable incomes (they are generally well off), while those who buy, say a HONDA might not have the same disposable income. The pie is indeed shrinking, this benefits companies whose demographic is more affluent.

What I am saying is that Ducati APPEARS to Spend a LOT of time and effort (i.e "money") on R&D for a relatively small company. Is that fair or not?

What does "fair" have to do with it? Ducati's bread and butter has been racing performance since the 70s. Their fans expect it. And their racing tech makes it to the street bikes quicker than the Japanese dream of doing it. If you want an uncompromised sportbike it's impossible to beat Ducati.

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by schizuki

I would agree 100%. Especially when you factor in their racing program.

To get to mlynch's point, yes, Ducati definitely spends more R&D dollars per unit than H-D, by far. Regarding Ducati's racing dollars, it's said that the racing budget is covered by sponsorship, primarily Phillip Morris. This is the same model Ferrari uses in Formula One. Nice arrangement if you have a brand strong enough to pull it off.

On another subject, I'm amazed that few have commented on the cool renderings we commissioned for this article. I thought they were worth the time and money, but maybe not...

[sarnali2]

Ummm...yeah Kev, they're really cool man.......(ahem)...

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

On another subject, I'm amazed that few have commented on the cool renderings we commissioned for this article. I thought they were worth the time and money, but maybe not...

Speaking for myself, I'm not really interested in hypothetical pictures. Even if they look really super keen, they're irrelevant unless they're guaranteed to look like the final product. Otherwise we're just oohing and ahhing over a pretty motorcycle picture.

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by schizuki

Speaking for myself, I'm not really interested in hypothetical pictures. Even if they look really super keen, they're irrelevant unless they're guaranteed to look like the final product. Otherwise we're just oohing and ahhing over a pretty motorcycle picture.

Well, it's a little more than a pretty picture. The actual bike won't look much different. I do appreciate getting input, though!

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

On another subject, I'm amazed that few have commented on the cool renderings we commissioned for this article. I thought they were worth the time and money, but maybe not...

I commented on them. I said the new bike "looks dope," which is a very trendy catchphrase. I've seen at least one other set of pictures of the bike in one of this month's crop of moto-mags. Guess I'll take a second look tonight; I didn't notice if they said it was an "artist's conception."

I'm amazed nobody commented on my comment about the GP team trying to put a frame back ON the bike. What about that? Huh? HUH??

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

I'm amazed nobody commented on my comment about the GP team trying to put a frame back ON the bike. What about that? Huh? HUH??

That'd be dope as hell, Yo.

[12er]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Well, it's a little more than a pretty picture. The actual bike won't look much different. I do appreciate getting input, though!

See my "Did MCN buy Mo?" post above. I could not care less what the "best Guess" is, that's what we do on the boards. I'd prefer you guys answering questions, not creating more. But that's just me.

[sarnali2]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

I commented on them. I said the new bike "looks dope," which is a very trendy catchphrase. I've seen at least one other set of pictures of the bike in one of this month's crop of moto-mags. Guess I'll take a second look tonight; I didn't notice if they said it was an "artist's conception."

I'm amazed nobody commented on my comment about the GP team trying to put a frame back ON the bike. What about that? Huh? HUH??

We down wit the set yo.....ya'll mobbin too real

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by 12er

See my "Did MCN buy Mo?" post above. I could not care less what the "best Guess" is, that's what we do on the boards. I'd prefer you guys answering questions, not creating more. But that's just me.

But we did answer questions. We gave bore/stroke and wheelbase dimensions, plus lots more details in the text. And the images we created support the "spy photos" already seen.