The interesting part is whenever the "man on the street" non-motorcyclist comments on how beautiful my bike is. The first day I had it, 2 people rolled down their car windows to say "Your bike is great looking" and a third gave me a thumbs up when they were crossing the street in front of me.
Jbraslins has probably hit the nail on the head.
Me, I prefer the 999 over the 1098. That's why I own one.
I agree with J here.. when I saw the 999 in person that was it. Bought it right on the spot over the 998. Having owned two 999's now I still love it (stuffed the first under a guard rail in Wisconsin).
__________________
Current Ride:
2006 Ducati 999S Mono in black.
Companies make fatal marketing blunders all the time. In this case Duc didn't go belly up as there is/was sufficient product spectrum to sort of fill the void from dismal 999 sales.
If we look at it, the iconic design of the 916 was obviously well accepted. What they should have done was to update the 916-998 design as opposed to a 'radical' departure to the double side arm and smoothed edge bodywork. As we recall, the 2002 998 was to be a one year wonder showcasing the new testastretta engine. But as the 999 tanked they did the ohshit what did we do here, and carried the single side arm bike through 2004 to offset lagging revenue from the new flagship.
Technically the 1098 should have been released in 2003 being an updated version of the accepted design. Flog that model for 3 years then introduce the 999. Today the 999 styling is not as obtrusive to the majority and with time on it appeals to many now.
Ducati now states that they will only carry a model for three years. It'll be interesting to see what pops next year as the 1098/1198 is now three years old and a mature product.
I agree with J here.. when I saw the 999 in person that was it. Bought it right on the spot over the 998. Having owned two 999's now I still love it (stuffed the first under a guard rail in Wisconsin).
Companies make fatal marketing blunders all the time. In this case Duc didn't go belly up as there is/was sufficient product spectrum to sort of fill the void from dismal 999 sales.
If we look at it, the iconic design of the 916 was obviously well accepted. What they should have done was to update the 916-998 design as opposed to a 'radical' departure to the double side arm and smoothed edge bodywork. As we recall, the 2002 998 was to be a one year wonder showcasing the new testastretta engine. But as the 999 tanked they did the ohshit what did we do here, and carried the single side arm bike through 2004 to offset lagging revenue from the new flagship.
Technically the 1098 should have been released in 2003 being an updated version of the accepted design. Flog that model for 3 years then introduce the 999. Today the 999 styling is not as obtrusive to the majority and with time on it appeals to many now.
Ducati now states that they will only carry a model for three years. It'll be interesting to see what pops next year as the 1098/1198 is now three years old and a mature product.
so they should have just kept the 999 as the 1098 then til now?
IMHO a company should be able to stray from the same bike every few decades and not go belly up
not a fan of the 999 myself and would never buy that model if i bought a duke but i do commend them for at least if not changing the motor at least stepping off the safe path
"Exercise restraint and discipline, only responding to posts from legit customers and those with constructive positive intent, you will find that the handgrenades explode harmlessly. You have many satisfied customers who are happy to have the parts you've made. My suggestion to you is keep making good parts, keep getting more customers, take care of them and let them speak for you."
Ducati's Niner niner niner sports the sexiest mirrors in all motorcycledom...
they are so good that I fabricated a set on Marv's ZX7R and his ZX10... I
also have a set of red Ducati mirrors that will grace Mr.RC45 because after
all Mr.Honda's best V4 deserves the best...
so they should have just kept the 999 as the 1098 then til now?
IMHO a company should be able to stray from the same bike every few decades and not go belly up
not a fan of the 999 myself and would never buy that model if i bought a duke but i do commend them for at least if not changing the motor at least stepping of the safe path
Yeah well, as the 'new for '03' 1098 would hold for three years and the stepping off the SSSA platform of the 1000 whatever they wanted to call it would be dated today forcing a change to something else.
*Maybe my beer logic isn't working. I'll re read this tomorrow and likely make the same marketing mistake Duc did with the 999.
My friends in Italy remarked to me that Ducat's 999 looked like a dog but
handled like a cat whereas the 916 handled like a dog but looked like a
cat... they also added Kill Terblanche and his dog...
Ducati School Imola...
Ducati Museum... what is the best way to package 999cc???
My friends in Italy remarked to me that Ducat's 999 looked like a dog but
handled like a cat whereas the 916 handled like a dog but looked like a
cat... they also added Kill Terblanche and his dog...
Ducati School Imola...
Ducati Museum... what is the best way to package 999cc???
Ducati dealer Verona...
Larry fondling a V2?! OMG what will the V4 gods say!
__________________
Current Ride:
2006 Ducati 999S Mono in black.
It is ironic that the last time the company was shut down due to failure to pay suppliers was in '95 IIRC, when the 916 was the considered the sexiest bike you could buy. So universally loved that Ducati was broke...
And then take into account the 999 was perhaps the most sucessful race platform they have ever had (3 out of 5 World Championships ain't bad). I have to think the 999 kicking butt on the track also sold more than a few Monster and ST models.
How the 999 Nearly Killed Ducati
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