Terblanche Leaves Ducati

[GAMBLER]

Soup :: Pierre Terblanche Leaves Ducati :: 12-19-2007


he is a genius.

the 916 can suck it.

[Turbo329]

Originally Posted by GAMBLER

Soup :: Pierre Terblanche Leaves Ducati :: 12-19-2007


he is a genius.

the 916 can suck it.

You can say that again. And so can the "Conformist" 1098.

J/K - Well, sort of.

[sburns2421]

People can say what they want to about him, but the Supermono, 999, Sport Classics, and Hypermotard are great designs. Some are polarizing for sure, but perhaps that isn't a bad thing with their niche.

I hope he goes to another motorcycle needing a severe style infusion, like BMW or Moto Guzzi.

[hebgan]

Originally Posted by sburns2421

People can say what they want to about him, but the Supermono, 999, Sport Classics, and Hypermotard are great designs. Some are polarizing for sure, but perhaps that isn't a bad thing with their niche.

I hope he goes to another motorcycle needing a severe style infusion, like Honda.

Fixed it for ya

[Busy Little Shop]

When I asked friends in Italy about Terblanche... they said "kill him
and his dog." mercy that's really bad because Italians absolutely love
dogs...

[roadkill]

Looks like he jumped ship before Ducati goes under. If they can't make a bike better than the Desmosidici, then they should just give the whole thing up.

[Duckling]

although his designs were polarizing as hell i eventually warmed up to all of his bikes. (except for the supermono, that was always pure sex!)

I wish him well, but its also going to be exciting to see what new designs come out of Borgo Panigale from here on out.

[Le Kiwi]

Despite loving the Supermono to bits, I really dislike everything Pierre has done since. I hope he goes to China, and nowhere near Moto-Guzzi...
Especially from the point of view to actually having to work on any of his creations.
The fairing of the ST2, 3 and 4 is a fiddly PITA to work on, even compared to the Paso. The Uglystrada, well, lets not even mention trying to do simple maintainence on that, the 999 nearly turned me off Ducati's for good (despite having good results racing them..) and the Sport Classics look nice, but are so full of frustrating stupidity and "designer" quirks, and the Hyperuglytard is an annoying pustule to work on. 3.4 gallons/12.4 litres in the tank !! 390 lbs/177 kg dry !! Without battery and fluids....

Then again, after the symphony of pleasure and joy that working on a Tamburini-engineered motorcycle brings, especially the beyond-sublime 916, I guess it's normal.
Ing. Tamburini was the hardest act to follow, and from my POV, all the best "designers" are engineers. Taglioni, Bordi, Carcano, Tonti, Magni, Zen, Baba-san, Yoda-san and the Godfather, Tamburini.
Designers like Pierre would be good at sticking to tea-pots and coffee mugs.

[LQQKR]

Originally Posted by Busy Little Shop

because Italians absolutely love
dogs...

You can say that again.

[Old Baldy]

Originally Posted by Le Kiwi

Then again, after the symphony of pleasure and joy that working on a Tamburini-engineered motorcycle brings, especially the beyond-sublime 916, I guess it's normal.

S'funny, but while very minor maintenance access is OK, I curse and rant and rave about the stupidity of lack of access to my 748's or 996's vertical exhaust valve access every time I have to check or service the valves/rockers.....and the lack of access to the rear brake master reservoir, and the ridiculous wiring access for removing the rear lights and tag plate for track days, and the lack of access to easily disconnect & emove the front indicator wiring, and the crazy number of different sized fasteners and allen keys. Besides the embarrassingly ugly bird's nest of wires and electronics and water piping and temp sensors with fairings removed.

[jhord]

Yeah, but have you worked on a ST or 999?

[Old Baldy]

Yes, a little on a friend's 749 at trackdays. I was kinda envious of the ease of detaching the lights for trackday duty, and of course, of the testastretta access which helps avoid the hassle I experience in valve access - something I'm looking forward to missing with my 999 motor in the 996 frame

Look, my point is even Tambie bikes have some major access issues, despite their great ease of access for minor maintenance. I actually remove the heads to do my valves, because I prefer not to have to deal with the vertical exhaust access. It's easier for me and less frustrating, if more expensive due to the head gasket replacement.

I would love the adjustability of the ergos missing on my Tambie bike too, but my budget does not extend to replacing the old 996/999 hybrid with a nice 999 at this time. One day, though!

[TrickLidz]

OB,
Besides working on my 748, which I don't think is that bad...I actually think everything is pretty much "quick disconnect", I've had to do 8 yrs of work on my ST2.
AND...years of work on a Paso. Trust me, the ST2 is the worst. The upper fairing has to come off before the side panels (for batt. maintance, etc) can even be removed!!! I converted it to Dzus fasteners...and it still SUX.

[TrickLidz]

[Old Baldy]

Originally Posted by TrickLidz

OB,
Trust me, the ST2 is the worst. The upper fairing has to come off before the side panels (for batt. maintance, etc) can even be removed!!! I converted it to Dzus fasteners...and it still SUX.

I have no opinion on whether the ST2 or even 999 is better or worse than the Tambie superbikes to work on, only that the Tambie superbikes are not the sublime perfection for working on as some have expressed, in my years of experience. They also have their issues, is all I was saying. Enough to force me to remove the rear head to more easily do the valves. They are a dream to work on in many respects, but definitely NOT perfect. That's my opinion, and it aint changing regardless of whether other bikes are worse or better to work on.

[duckdawg]

I'd like to hang a 999 motor in my 748 chassis someday, since you have done the swap, did you have to hack the frame much to get it done?...

[Old Baldy]

Originally Posted by duckdawg

I'd like to hang a 999 motor in my 748 chassis someday, since you have done the swap, did you have to hack the frame much to get it done?...

Mine's still work in progress (it's a LONG winter here!)....but in answer to your question, no, no frame changes are required, if you use the old mount bolts and sleeve them with ordinary 1/2" aluminum tube. Some throttle body bracket trimming is necessary, and then of course you have to get around the TPS issue if you're using a 999 motor and 999 TBs.

[Rocket51]

Is the guy good? Name 3 other modern day designers.

Yeah, he's good.

[nero]

I've owned 4 Ducs in seven years. 2 non-TB designed (monster and 748), 2 TB designs (999 and a multi) . I loved them all. My next bike will be a HM...
I think Ducati will soon be sorry he's gone.