Photo: A. Campbell
Ducati started out as the "Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati," a company founded by three Ducati brothers, Adriano, Bruno and Marcello Cavalieri Ducati, on the 4th of July 1926. Antonio, their father, supervised the whole thing.
Nine decades later, Ducati is no longer a small family business, but one of the most recognizable names in the motorcycle industry. A corporation under the umbrella of Audi, one of the biggest names in the automotive industry, Ducati reaches a milestone next summer.
Being also one of the most flamboyant makers in the field, and having enlisted some of the most creative designers available, Ducati is expected to show an anniversary motorcycle next year. Their R nineT, if you wish.
Of course, they might decide not to make such a move and wait for the 100th anniversary, but I doubt they'd miss such a festive opportunity.
The same secrecy surrounds the bike I suppose Ducati might prepare for the next year. Obviously, provided that such a bike exists, the biggest question is, how will it be? Will it be a unique model manufactured in a limited edition and expensive as hell, or will Ducati look over the fence (and The Alps) in BMW's yard and replicate the amazing R nineT recipe.
The R nineT was a production bike spawned from the 90th-anniversary Concept boxer created by Ola Stenegard and Roland Sands. BMW said that the R nineT would become a platform, the last to use the "airhead" flat twin engine, but the success of the whole thing surpassed even the most optimistic expectations.
Ducati could use the same strategy, namely creating the "masterbuilt" 90th anniversary "Novanta" (Italian for 90) machine and then build one, two or more bikes derived from it. As to whether Ducati would be interested in making a classic retro bike or a modern sport beast, this is what we hope to find out soon.
Even though it's hard to compare BMW to Ducati, the R nineT did the same thing: rekindled melancholia in the hearts of the seasoned riders, while offering contemporary technology and road safety. The result? Huge sales. This thing works. Period.
Could it work for Ducati? Most likely, the answer is yes, because Borgo Panigale has a very rich history, and with the multitude of designers who worked in Bologna, coming up with a bike to leave Ducatisti breathless would not be THAT hard.
While I am far from being a Ducati historian, I know that several amazing bikes would be identified in as short as a few hours one evening, over a cup of coffe or some beers. Or several bottles of wine, since we're talking about Italy.
On the other hand, some say that Ducati might think about going even more modern and deliver an anniversary bike heralding what's yet to come, instead of harking back to the days of yore.
In the absence of any info, we're down to suppositions in this matter, and my guess is as good as anyone else's. I cannot rule out this possibility, but as there is so much more about Ducati's past that it is to their future, I'd put my money on the retro-ish machine.
Whether it will be a 900SS replica, the 88, 996/998, or even the 999 (that so many seem to hate, don't know why), or even older sportbike icons from the past, I hope we will find out soon.
To me it looks like Ducati needs this bike next year, to cement the new era in the company's history. This year Ducati passed a most important milestone, selling more than 50,000 units for the first time in 90 years. What better way to make a bold statement than dishing out a machine that looks stunning and performs like the modern superbikes?
So, I put my two cents on a retro-ish superbike, what say you?
Being also one of the most flamboyant makers in the field, and having enlisted some of the most creative designers available, Ducati is expected to show an anniversary motorcycle next year. Their R nineT, if you wish.
Of course, they might decide not to make such a move and wait for the 100th anniversary, but I doubt they'd miss such a festive opportunity.
Total silence surrounds Ducati in this matter
This year, Ducati has been very secretive and unveiled the new bikes only hours before the debut of the EICMA 2015. Until the official Ducati event, the media only had spy shots of the Panigale 959, some pictures of the cruiser later confirmed as the XDiavel and rumors on the Hypermotard that was supposed to be equipped with a bigger engine.The same secrecy surrounds the bike I suppose Ducati might prepare for the next year. Obviously, provided that such a bike exists, the biggest question is, how will it be? Will it be a unique model manufactured in a limited edition and expensive as hell, or will Ducati look over the fence (and The Alps) in BMW's yard and replicate the amazing R nineT recipe.
The R nineT was a production bike spawned from the 90th-anniversary Concept boxer created by Ola Stenegard and Roland Sands. BMW said that the R nineT would become a platform, the last to use the "airhead" flat twin engine, but the success of the whole thing surpassed even the most optimistic expectations.
Ducati could use the same strategy, namely creating the "masterbuilt" 90th anniversary "Novanta" (Italian for 90) machine and then build one, two or more bikes derived from it. As to whether Ducati would be interested in making a classic retro bike or a modern sport beast, this is what we hope to find out soon.
Pondering between the old-school vibe and the modern-day prowess
Honestly, I am torn between the two. Seeing Ducati using their highest technology and delivering a retro-looks machine like so many sport bikes that flamed the imagination of generations of riders would spark the passion again.Even though it's hard to compare BMW to Ducati, the R nineT did the same thing: rekindled melancholia in the hearts of the seasoned riders, while offering contemporary technology and road safety. The result? Huge sales. This thing works. Period.
Could it work for Ducati? Most likely, the answer is yes, because Borgo Panigale has a very rich history, and with the multitude of designers who worked in Bologna, coming up with a bike to leave Ducatisti breathless would not be THAT hard.
While I am far from being a Ducati historian, I know that several amazing bikes would be identified in as short as a few hours one evening, over a cup of coffe or some beers. Or several bottles of wine, since we're talking about Italy.
On the other hand, some say that Ducati might think about going even more modern and deliver an anniversary bike heralding what's yet to come, instead of harking back to the days of yore.
In the absence of any info, we're down to suppositions in this matter, and my guess is as good as anyone else's. I cannot rule out this possibility, but as there is so much more about Ducati's past that it is to their future, I'd put my money on the retro-ish machine.
Whether it will be a 900SS replica, the 88, 996/998, or even the 999 (that so many seem to hate, don't know why), or even older sportbike icons from the past, I hope we will find out soon.
To me it looks like Ducati needs this bike next year, to cement the new era in the company's history. This year Ducati passed a most important milestone, selling more than 50,000 units for the first time in 90 years. What better way to make a bold statement than dishing out a machine that looks stunning and performs like the modern superbikes?
So, I put my two cents on a retro-ish superbike, what say you?
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