The whole color combo thread http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12848.0 got me thinking.

Ducati should sell the 696/1100 at the dealers like this:
when you purchase a bike you get your choice of frame/wheel color
696 - red or black frame with black wheels
1100 - red or black frame with silver wheels
1100s - red or black frame with gold wheels
then you take your pick of a color kit with the tank panels, front guard, bikini and tail fairing.
(red, gloss black, flat black, pearl white, silver, 80s, and others as they come out, yellow, stripes, etc.
for 1100s owners they also get the CF kit consisting of the front guard, rear guard, exhaust shields.

the dealers would get the stock of color kits which would be easier to ship and faster than waiting around for the right color bike to come in. the cost savings to ducati and the dealers would help them, and we, the buyer, could enjoy the fruits of their savings.

I think that's a viable idea, but if you are asking

Quote from: Raux on October 18, 2008, 06:57:11 PM
is DUCATI listening here.

They are not.  If you want to offer feedback to Ducati the best way to do so is through their website or phone. 

i was being sarcastic. BUT i do know some dealers are here.. hint hint.

  Holy hell!!! That is so absolutely reasonable and sane that I can't see any corp. ever doing something that cost effective. Great idea though.

Do bikes put serial/vin #s on body pieces like cars do?  With cars it is always a good way to see if it has been in an accident.   

not on the plastic panels for the 696. they are just covers.

FWIW.... DNA does moniter the DMF

Quote from: bobspapa on October 19, 2008, 07:24:31 AM
FWIW.... DNA does moniter the DMF

DNA aka bobspapa

Quote from: bobspapa on October 19, 2008, 07:24:31 AM
FWIW.... DNA does moniter the DMF

as they did on TOB.

great idea.........except ducati already has a hard enough time getting parts to the dealers in a decent amount of time.
plus, they would make the dealers pay for the extra bits, so dealers would never have exactly what you wanted.
then you would end up owning a bike that you couldnt ride while you waited for ducati to ship the color set that you prefered.

well if they package the kit in a single box from the factory. with all parts, then it would be reasonable for them to send them to the dealers in advance of bikes. plus the aftermarket of people buying color changes would be easier. so again money in their pocket and cool stuff for us.

the bikes show up with no kit on them. dealers wait til the people buy and pick their color and part of prep is putting together the bike. WHICH they do already.

it's a win win win for us and the dealers and DNA.

i know makes too much sense

im pretty sure ducati is reading here. Its a huge forum with a huge amount of information on the monster lineup.

 Although this is a great idea, the problem with implementing it wouldn't be with Ducati, or even at the dealer level. The problem would be with the DMV. Each bike/car comes from the factory with a certificate of origin with the color listed on it. It is illegial for it not to.

I have heard of dealers swapping out body work on different bikes in the past and while it may be ok to do on an occasional basis, doing it every day would raise some red flags. Getting it by the DMV probably would be all that difficult but imagine explaining it to your local law enforcement officer when you get puller over and the color on the registration doesn't match the color of the bike.

That's for real??  THe DMV knows the color of the bike???  Is this big brother or some other reason ( red not only goes faster but it costs more?? )

Quote from: Monstermash on October 19, 2008, 12:10:55 PM
Getting it by the DMV probably would be all that difficult but imagine explaining it to your local law enforcement officer when you get puller over and the color on the registration doesn't match the color of the bike.

They still gave me a ticket and when i fought it, the judge said, "color does not change anything".