Anyone heard the rumor that there may be a new Ducati store opening in Minneapolis?
I hadn't heard that, but I suppose it's possible. Surprising, but possible.
Didn't the big Ducati dealer in Wisconsin just close down a couple months ago? I think it was near Madison.
Yeah, If I won the Lottery!
seriously though... I have heard tidbits. Currently can't even recall who I was talking to about though. I can say it was someone I met outside of the Maddog group. Lol this is a great way to start rumors!
The rumor I heard sounds like "nickel back" opening a Ducati show room at the recently closed vintage auto place on Lyndale.
Quote from: R+B on February 06, 2010, 05:36:09 AM
The rumor I heard sounds like "nickel back" opening a Ducati show room at the recently closed vintage auto place on Lyndale.
Silverback!! [beer]
The rumour is true; duly confirmed by Fred at the MC Show yesterday. Silverback will be located on Lyndale not far from Bob's. They will have a customer lounge area where we can get together for MN Ducati/Notte Italiana meetings etc.
Let's support this exciting new venture; we are lucky to have the combined expertise of Fred and Doug right here in our back yard.
They will probably open in March.
[wine]
Quote from: Vino900 on February 08, 2010, 11:13:50 AM
The rumour is true; duly confirmed by Fred at the MC Show yesterday. Silverback will be located on Lyndale not far from Bob's. They will have a customer lounge area where we can get together for MN Ducati/Notte Italiana meetings etc.
Let's support this exciting new venture; we are lucky to have the combined expertise of Fred and Doug right here in our back yard.
They will probably open in March.
[wine]
Very, very cool. [thumbsup] [beer]
The new name is: MINNESOTA DUCATI
[wine]
Minneapolis Ducati [thumbsup]
Very cool [thumbsup]
Will it be exclusively Ducati?
Quote from: daftduc on February 12, 2010, 07:21:18 AM
Will it be exclusively Ducati?
At 1st yes, at least as far as bike sales. I'm sure the guys will still work on anything you bring them though.
There's gonna be a cafe to! Also sounded like they'd have a fairly good selection of gear and clothing.
Sounds like an awesome spot for a hangout [thumbsup]
Thats a pretty big space if its gonna be both upstairs and downstairs. And its only blocks away from the worst pet store on earth, so Mo can stop for cat squeekems on his way home from "hanging out" [cheeky] [bacon]
Quote from: atomic410 on February 15, 2010, 05:14:04 AM
Thats a pretty big space if its gonna be both upstairs and downstairs. And its only blocks away from the worst pet store on earth, so Mo can stop for cat squeekems on his way home from "hanging out" [cheeky] [bacon]
LOL maybe i can bring Jackie Chan with me ;D
This sounds like it'll be a cool joint. I don't see how Ducati (or a business person if it's an independent dealership) sees this as a good time, in our current economy, to market their bikes here though. Glad that they are though!
Any new update's on the Ducati Minneapolis store opening...have they opened yet?
Found this in the local press (Twin Cities Business Journal) on Friday, March 5:
The Twin Cities’ first Ducati-only motorcycle dealership will open in Uptown this spring.
Ducati Minneapolis will occupy a 5,000-square-foot space at 2800 S. Lyndale Ave. in Minneapolis. The store will include a showfloor with room for about 20 motorcycles, a service department and space for retail products such as clothing, parts and accessories.
The dealership is expected to open in late March or early April.
Italian manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding makes a wide range of motorcycles, but is best known for its high-performance models. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices range from about $9,000 up to $25,000.
“Ducatis have an image that is closer to Ferrari than to Chevrolet,†said Ducati Minneapolis co-owner Tim Parker, who previously worked in the publishing industry, where he focused on car and motorcycle books. “There’s a certain amount of exclusivity and desirability that only Ducati can fulfill. It’s exotic, high-performance fun.â€
Parker’s business partners are Fred Snyder and Merrill Ferguson. Snyder owns Silverback Performance, a motorcycle repair shop that specializes in Ducatis. The shop will close its St. Paul location, relocating to the Ducati Minneapolis store.
Ducati Minneapolis will join Delano Sports Center Inc. in Delano and Motoprimo in Lakeville as the only Minnesota motorcycle dealers with Ducati franchises.
Delano Sports Center sold between 40 and 45 Ducati motorcycles in 2009 and expects to sell roughly that many again this year, Sales Manager Tim Schulz said.
“Ducati has been on the rise for us the past couple of years, slowly increasing,†he said. “I think they’re starting to get to be a little more well known in this area.â€
Ducati sells more than 10,000 motorcycles per year in the United States.
That's pretty cool stuff. Silverback's moving to the new place... gotta like that.
I'll certainly visit. Delano is way, way too far for me. Same thing with Moto Primo.
Anyone know if Silverback is still open? I need to make a stop. Gotta say it was nice having a shop on the Eastside. Gets old going to Mpls for everything.
Where in Minneapolis are you currently going?
Quote from: atomic410 on February 15, 2010, 05:14:04 AM
Thats a pretty big space if its gonna be both upstairs and downstairs. And its only blocks away from the worst pet store on earth, so Mo can stop for cat squeekems on his way home from "hanging out" [cheeky] [bacon]
Smitten Kitten : P
Quote from: Sgt_H on March 15, 2010, 05:38:56 AM
Anyone know if Silverback is still open? I need to make a stop. Gotta say it was nice having a shop on the Eastside. Gets old going to Mpls for everything.
yes I was there on saturday picking up my bike. I think they will be there through the end of the month. btw they make a brakeline kit for putting clipons on monsters and my brakes have never been better. [bacon]
Hope they put some info up on their new site soon - http://www.ducatiminneapolis.com/ (http://www.ducatiminneapolis.com/)
Anyone been to the new store yet? Are they even open?
I rode by there yesterday and there was a hyper sitting outside and there was an 848 inside the window. I tried to peak in and I saw what looked to be an espresso machine? and some chairs, but thats about it. couldnt tell if it was open, certainly didn't look like it was ready to be open.
They are open..I got a new back tire on the monster on Tuesday [moto]. I was in and out in about 1 hour. FYI...they are stacked with bikes needing service...so it looks like at least their service department is off and running. The store was open and had a few few bikes on display. I think that the store will be a work in progress for a while, but in the end it will be very nice. Stop by there in a few weeks and it will probably look like a "proper" store.
Westy
I just stopped by and they are kind of open. Really nice people the service department is open. Sales and parts are kind of open. I asked if they were going to stock man bags and said they were planning a lot of urban ducati accessories, I guess that's a yes. I can't wait!
Man bags? Nevermind, I don't wanna know.
Anybody know the new shop hours? I need to bring my bike in before this weekends ride. How about the phone number over there?
"It's a European Shoulderbag...and it was a gift" [laugh]
Quote from: minnesotamonster on April 27, 2010, 07:26:46 AM
Man bags? Nevermind, I don't wanna know.
Anybody know the new shop hours? I need to bring my bike in before this weekends ride. How about the phone number over there?
I got one for my ipad. the girls think it is sexy!
what are doing - bring it over and we can tear it apart.
mpls ducati 612-746-5116
[laugh]
I've got to get my exhaust clearance issue sorted out. I'm pretty sure the chain is just a link (maybe two) short and will probably end up needing a new chain. Even tho the one on there is practically new. And I don't have a chain breaker or a way to rivet a new chain together.
They got their dealers license last Thursday and Fred posted to Craigslist that they were open. They still have allot of setup to do, but they'll do service, order parts, and sell bikes. Doug will work out St. Paul for a while.
I visited last Friday. Here are some pics.
1198 rolled onto the floor, still needing setup.
(http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/ray916mn/Ducati%20Minneapolis/IMAG0018.jpg)
Shop area sits behind a wall of glass. I'm sure Fred, Doug and Anthony will enjoy the fishbowl effect. I for one intend to make cheek puffing fish faces at them whenever I visit. This pic is of the shop area from the doorway.
(http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/ray916mn/Ducati%20Minneapolis/IMAG0020.jpg)
Something your not going to see at many other dealerships, if any. One of the owners, Fred, working on a bike.
(http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/ray916mn/Ducati%20Minneapolis/IMAG0019.jpg)
The parts and accessory counter.
(http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/ray916mn/Ducati%20Minneapolis/IMAG0021.jpg)
Anthony and Heather (parts manager - former Manley and Delano) behind the counter.
(http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss273/ray916mn/Ducati%20Minneapolis/IMAG0022.jpg)
Didn't take a pic of the humungo red expresso/cappucino machine, and they haven't put together the customer lounge area yet. They intend to have a big screen and have MotoGP and WSBK parties.
I wish them luck and look forward to seeing it when their done putting everything together and really look forward to not having to haul stuff over to St. Paul for service.
Cool! I'll have to stop by and say hi soon.
That's great! Thanks for posting the pics. Fred looks thrilled that you're pointing a camera at him. [laugh]
I'm going to have to stop by and visit the new store. [thumbsup]
Does anyone want to meet up Saturday morning for coffee and then head over to Ducati Minneapolis?
Quote from: Schwanger on May 10, 2010, 02:30:51 PM
Does anyone want to meet up Saturday morning for coffee and then head over to Ducati Minneapolis?
why not have coffee there [roll]
Quote from: cyclops on May 10, 2010, 02:38:33 PM
why not have coffee there [roll]
We can do that too. I was thinking we should meet somewhere before hand and ride in.
I'm in
Sounds fun. Also Bobs is a block away...
I would like to come out, if I can get away from the wife and kid for a few hours. What time?
Quote from: Schwanger on May 13, 2010, 03:04:06 AM
8:30 at Bob's
Wow, Early..
I'm assuming this is what you mean by Bob's:
http://www.bobsjavahut.com/ (http://www.bobsjavahut.com/)
Quote from: 4DoorSi on May 13, 2010, 04:30:25 AM
Wow, Early..
I'm assuming this is what you mean by Bob's:
http://www.bobsjavahut.com/ (http://www.bobsjavahut.com/)
That's the place.
Are you all going by on Friday as well? We could ride before and end up at the party for some free ULF juice.
I'm going to cage it on Friday.
Quote from: minnesotamonster on May 13, 2010, 01:25:28 PM
boo.
I thinking about getting a beer afterward. Anyone care to join me?
Quote from: Schwanger on May 13, 2010, 04:45:26 PM
I thinking about getting a beer afterward. Anyone care to join me?
Absolutely!
Quote from: Schwanger on May 13, 2010, 04:45:26 PM
I thinking about getting a beer afterward. Anyone care to join me?
I may entertain that option. Do you have a place in mind?
[wine]
Quote from: Vino900 on May 14, 2010, 05:51:19 AM
I may entertain that option. Do you have a place in mind?
[wine]
Probably somewhere close by...maybe Herkimer
It was good to get out and see you guys. Also nice to ride some bikes I wouldn't normally be able to ride too.
Sorry if I held you guys up in the clovers, I'm not an expert rider by an means.
I wanna start a new tradition, meet at duc mpls for coffee like once a week. Then I can drool on them bikes 8). I'm gonna head there tonight just to chill
be there or be square [moto]
Quote from: cyclops on May 18, 2010, 07:58:52 AM
I wanna start a new tradition, meet at duc mpls for coffee like once a week. Then I can drool on them bikes 8). I'm gonna head there tonight just to chill
That is a good idea... Duc Minneapolis is sweet. I was there late Saturday afternoon (couldn't make the group gathering.)
The downside is that it made me want to spend a lot of money. That 796 hyper is nice.
Quote from: cyclops on May 18, 2010, 07:58:52 AM
I wanna start a new tradition, meet at duc mpls for coffee like once a week. Then I can drool on them bikes 8). I'm gonna head there tonight just to chill
What time?
Quote from: Schwanger on May 18, 2010, 11:24:26 AM
What time?
they're open till 7, I'm thinking 6. Can't make it before that anyways
Jake, are you going to be there?
Yeah Im going to stop by after work. I work til 6 so I'll probably be there around 6:15ish
I'll take the day off tomorrow and see this store. If they are good, they might get some $$$ out of me.
fred's the man. He hooked me up on fixing my pos race bike on the quick and it seems great. anyone with a ducati is a fool not to bring it here for repair. the store is shaping up nicely and models seem to be flowing in day by day. I'm actually excited to go to a ducati dealership for the 1st time in my life, when I have to. mad props to Mpls. Ducati [bacon]
Called today looking for some fasteners for my clutch cover. Fred answered the phone and said he would take a look for some in his used stuff.
Ran down over lunch, scored the fasteners for a very reasonable fee, life is good.
Stopped in the shop and had a chat with my old friend Doug, he figures to have the dyno up and running today.
Nice comfortable place, me likey.