Quote from: DesmoDisciple on November 09, 2008, 12:01:23 AM
I don't quite understand this beef with 'selling out'.

Ducati has a brand that holds a certain romantic allure. They want to make money. They're a small company. Who cares?

Some people own Ducati motorcycles. Some people (with more money than sense evidently) own merchandise that says 'Ducati' on it. If that makes Ducati a couple bucks, great.

the people that say that are "johnny come latelies" to the brand.

Ducati has co-branded for YEARS, it is just that most of that stuff doesn't reach US shores.

Somewhere I have a set of sneakers from Italy with a Cagiva/Ducati logo on them.  They've always had various clothing available, and I mean non-riding apparel. 

Also, the whole universe of motorcycles and cars has changed in the last 20-30 years.  Margins are very slim and today's climate means "cobrand or die."

The only way Harley stayed profitable was selling Harley cigarettes, shirts and jackets.  It became their primary means of advertising for the bikes -- people would see a shirt (hey! i like that shirt) and end up buying a harley bike because of it.

Ducati is a niche bike company.  It would be better for us all if their annual sales topped 100k bikes.  More dealers and locations would be a very good thing.

I would be more disappointed if Ducati wasn't out marketing. The fact that they can sell a set of espresso cups with their name on it, means that they have a strong brand with good cross industry recognition. It's important for their business and I support anything that keeps the company afloat and making great bikes.

Oh, and "Breaking Away" rules!! I grew up 30 minutes away from Bloomington and have seen that movie several time. 

Quote from: ducatizzzz on November 08, 2008, 11:50:20 AM
do you have vhs, beta, laserdisc, dvd and blueray copies of "Breaking Away" too?

Nope, nor do I have a collection of funny colored socks or jerseys.  I must not be that dedicated.

Quote from: psycledelic on November 09, 2008, 07:20:40 AM
Nope, nor do I have a collection of funny colored socks or jerseys.  I must not be that dedicated.

but i guess that means you shave your legs.....?  eeyew

Damn Ducati!

Next thing you know, they'll be selling radios, and cameras, and cute little engines you can bolt on to any old bicycle!

yep

I've got this in my bathroom:

Quote from: Remy on November 11, 2008, 04:08:51 PM
I've got this in my bathroom:

Looks fast and light.

Quote from: Remy on November 11, 2008, 04:08:51 PM
I've got this in my bathroom:

oh yea??

official factory light switch

I'll have to admit that some of those products look pretty good. I actually dig the luggage. Anyway, I've never bought any Ducati branded gear but my friends have given me (for my bday) a Ducati t-shirt and jacket (warm up type) and I must admit I do like the jacket. After going to the dealer and really looking around I found a nice Monster cap that I want to get and I'm sure there's other "Ducati" gear that I wouldn't mind buying. Maybe drinking the Ducati branded kool-aid for the past 2-3 years I'm finally giving in to the marketing side.

My 00 Monster 900 is turning out to be one of my favorite bikes I've ever owned.  Ducati is winning me over. I think I better go buy a KTM or something just to keep grounded. [moto]

Quote from: AleksT on November 14, 2008, 08:47:39 AM
I'll have to admit that some of those products look pretty good. I actually dig the luggage. Anyway, I've never bought any Ducati branded gear but my friends have given me (for my bday) a Ducati t-shirt and jacket (warm up type) and I must admit I do like the jacket. After going to the dealer and really looking around I found a nice Monster cap that I want to get and I'm sure there's other "Ducati" gear that I wouldn't mind buying. Maybe drinking the Ducati branded kool-aid for the past 2-3 years I'm finally giving in to the marketing side.

My 00 Monster 900 is turning out to be one of my favorite bikes I've ever owned.  Ducati is winning me over. I think I better go buy a KTM or something just to keep grounded. [moto]

because KTM never makes shirts?

Quote from: A.duc.H.duc. on November 14, 2008, 09:25:42 AM
because KTM never makes shirts?

Haha! No... just to try something else. I don't think I would actually. I'm really diggin the new Monster and the Streetfighter. So I'd most likely get one of those.

I don't think there is anything wrong with co-branding. It makes a desirable brand like Ducati more accessible to people, and that is a good thing for any company that wants to grow or even stick around more then a few years. The person that buys a Ducati shirt knows the name is premium and in this case, cool. And one day, they might even go and get a bike. Which is exactly what Ducati wants. But early adopters of any brand or product will always hate it when more people have access to something they deem 'theirs'. It's like when you find a great band that you love, and no one else knows about them. Then all of a sudden everyone else catches on, and your beloved band loses a bit of luster.

However, it could go horribly wrong if any brand just slaps their name on anything. So far, I don't think Ducati has sold out with any of the co-branding and licensing deals it has done. But if they go out and start to make a Ducati/KFC bucket of 'speed chicken', well, that would be 'selling out.' 

Quote from: ducatizzzz on November 11, 2008, 04:02:20 PM
yep

Is that the camera you used to take those IZ_ pics? 

If selling sequined ducati g-strings allows them to keep manufacturing bikes I'm all for it!


Chris