Don't get mad at me.

Serdar Yavuz · Mar 30, 2015

zippy49 said:
Do you really think that our 821s lack character? Ducatis are still unique in many ways, unlike boring UJMs which are the mainstay of the Japanese makers. BTW that $3k number is unverified and from several years ago.

"Losing team?" You only cheer for winners with the big bucks? Ducati will never have the budget that Honda or Yamaha enjoy. In spite of that they won the 2014 World Superstock Championship, and had success in WSBK - even dominated - until they switched to that peaky Panigale. And they have won more GP championships in the four-stroke era than Suzuki or Kawasaki, also much bigger companies - they just need the right rider. With Audi behind them, it might not be too long until they start winning again. They are certainly competitive and improving.

Not that I don't love the sound and character of the engines (I do), but Ducati is now owned by the VW group through Lamborghini/Audi. Considering that the VW group is competing to be the world's largest automaker, and considering that Ducatis will be marketed through the Lamborghini brand, I'd venture to say that Ducati should have the budget that Honda has. If it doesn't, that's just lack of management foresight.

ferdi · Mar 31, 2015

Serdar Yavuz said:
Not that I don't love the sound and character of the engines (I do), but Ducati is now owned by the VW group through Lamborghini/Audi. Considering that the VW group is competing to be the world's largest automaker, and considering that Ducatis will be marketed through the Lamborghini brand, I'd venture to say that Ducati should have the budget that Honda has. If it doesn't, that's just lack of management foresight.

Ducati sells 45000 bikes a year, Honda sells 9 millions a year.
just to show you the relation.
of course Honda sells a lot of very little bikes and Ducati only large ones, but, the relation stays. maybe 45000:1000000

? Worldwide motorcycle sales of Honda 2014 | Statistic

zippy49 · Mar 31, 2015

MotoGP at Qatar - two Ducatis on the podium, no Hondas

Hey Appliance 821, you ready to eat those words about "losing team" yet?

BlueSwede · Mar 31, 2015

I can't remember when MotoGP was this close... great to have suzuki and aprilia entering, and totally awesome to see BOTH factory ducati's stay strong all the way to the flag. Very exciting race in Qatar!!

zippy49 · Mar 31, 2015

We have the online Video Pass, worth every Euro. They offer a "no spoiler' page so I can delay watching. All the GPs back to 2002 or so are on there, plus selected older races, any time I want. I thought last year was great...there seemed to be something amazing that happened at every event. This year looks even better. There are the most championship winners in the MotoGP field, ever!

Losail, under the lights, is a spectacular show. All three races were exciting, for completely different reasons. And I love my Ducati, but I am still a Rossi fan. It was good to see the old guy win. His joy was truly infectious.

Per the sticker on Gary Nixon's racebike's top clamp:

Old Age and Treachery will always beat Youth and Skill..."

appliance821 · Mar 31, 2015

zippy49 said:
Hey Appliance 821, you ready to eat those words about "losing team" yet?

I fried them with garlic and butter - delicious!

Don't get mad at me.

Serdar Yavuz

ferdi

zippy49

BlueSwede

zippy49

appliance821

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