2009 Ducati Fighter

[VTRIDER]

"I want to leave you with a particular thought to consider while I’m away.

This week, as usual, the new issue of InMoto (an Italian bike magazine) arrived on my desk, and I noticed that on the cover they feature their own concept of a new Ducati bike. We enjoyed reading about this and had a good discussion about it. We have our opinions about it, and I would like to hear yours.
What do you think? Is it the kind of bike that could fit the “Ducati style?” Do you think I should send it on to our designers for “insipiration?”
Let me have your opinion and when I get back we can talk about it.

Have a good summer!
Gabriele"

Found this on the blog.ducati.com.  So no need to worry

[vampireduc]

As I see everyday in the Army...

You get a group...give them options...they whine like mules...then get the job done.

Ducati owners are no different. 

We have a group...we are given new options in the direction of our bikes...we whine like mules...then someone rides one...then buys one...and we all run out and put the next available one on order.

I just want to know when ya'll are going to be selling off your "old" bikes cheap so that you can justify picking up the new one.  I'm there for you all.

[♣ McKraut ♣]

meh....this doesn't do it for me.  give me an S2R or S4R (or a dss monster) any day over these new monster/fighter models.  it's a timeless design that, to me, i could never get tired of.

[foggy123]

I guess I don't understand the fighter.

Why buy a naked, detuned 1098 when I can buy a used upgraded one for cheaper that is arguably better looking? 

[Beyote]

meh....this doesn't do it for me.  give me an S2R or S4R (or a sss monster) any day over these new monster/fighter models.  it's a timeless design that, to me, i could never get tired of.

+1.

Give me my classic, round headlight, SSS, and a dry clutch.   I will be happy.   In my eyes, they aren't dated.  In my eyes, the 'classic' Monster is a pivot point, a bueatiful age and segment in Ducati's history.  And I have a classic that likes to snack on repli-racers.

(except when I wreck,..  LOL)

[10/10ths]

Beyote,

YES!

That's exactly why I've dumped a ludicrous amount of money into my '97 Monster to restore her.

Cheers.

[Karna]

I think the point... of the Fighter is to make  "Ducati Sport bike" with less aggressive ergo more accessible power for the street... I just wish it was better looking then a Brutale or  "comparable " handling power of Tuono... Ive had  S4Rs and Tuono, Ridden Brutale 750-910R... there something special about naked ... also more fun to ride in the canyons ... I currently have a Hyper love it... for that reason... I was seriously looking at Bimota before the hyper came out ... because I like the molded tank/ergo custom  great suspension great torque and power range is accessible... I just hope the Fighter doesn't loose all that beautiful torque and have more accessibility for the track and occasional commute/jaunt... miss going distance with my monster... damn gas tank too small on the hyper... wouldn't hurt to be a little more aerodynamic  ...

[Vindingo]

I just hope that the bike doesn't look anything like the 696.  Everytime I see it in person, it gets uglier and uglier. 

In all honesty, I think the naked SBK thing is just silly.  Engines with too much power, suspensions and brakes designed for riding on the track, then go and make the bike as aero dynamic as a brick.  Just because other companies are doing it doesn't mean Ducati needs to in order to stay compeditive.  I still dont really like the "classic" S4 or S4rs.  I think the radiators, hoses and water pump are ugly and take away from the bike.  IMO they arent "classic" monsters either.  This is the one thing I think the Fighter has going for it - it is not pretending to be a monster.

[ducatiz]

I wonder if there was the same hoo haaa when they moved away from bevel drives

Not really, plenty of ppl knew the bevels were going and the Pantah had been well proven in racing by the time they were in the showrooms.

[ducatiz]

As I see everyday in the Army...

You get a group...give them options...they whine like mules...then get the job done.

Ducati owners are no different. 

We have a group...we are given new options in the direction of our bikes...we whine like mules...then someone rides one...then buys one...and we all run out and put the next available one on order.

I just want to know when ya'll are going to be selling off your "old" bikes cheap so that you can justify picking up the new one.  I'm there for you all.

rofl..

ducati owners = bunch of jackasses.   

[zvezdah1]

I just hope that the bike doesn't look anything like the 696.  Everytime I see it in person, it gets uglier and uglier. 

In all honesty, I think the naked SBK thing is just silly.  Engines with too much power, suspensions and brakes designed for riding on the track, then go and make the bike as aero dynamic as a brick.  Just because other companies are doing it doesn't mean Ducati needs to in order to stay compeditive.  I still dont really like the "classic" S4 or S4rs.  I think the radiators, hoses and water pump are ugly and take away from the bike.  IMO they arent "classic" monsters either.  This is the one thing I think the Fighter has going for it - it is not pretending to be a monster.

We don't even know what the streetfighter will look like, tho just on the strength of my dealer's description, I'm puttting a deposit down. It's taken ducati a long time to get on the same sheet as the brutale and tuono. A duc with 1098 (even if slightly less tuned) and a more upright seating posture is made for old guys like me who like the performance but don't like the position of the hypersports.

C'mon ducati bring it on, they're due here in April June range.

BTW> I love the looks of the 696 and a nice progression to the monster line (I've owned an m750 and m800 as well as 748 and 996 and an old 900SP, so I like em all)

Chris

[Pedro-bot]

The naked SBK concept is a popular one with Ducatisti. Check out these 2 bikes that entered the 2008 Ducati USA Superbike Concorso.







I could care less what Ducati builds or how they build it. As for the new 696 style Monster, let them build it, I've got my old school vintage Ducati already. The Ducati bike designs to die hard fans are only a suggestion of what the final product should look like. Truth of that statement is in your own bike, just take a look and you'll agree.   

[ducatiz]

The naked SBK concept is a popular one with Ducatisti. Check out these 2 bikes that entered the 2008 Ducati USA Superbike Concorso.

916 type fairing on an SS, single front rotor, SSS, etc.

lot of work put into thsi bike, very nice.

[TAftonomos]

916 type fairing on an SS, single front rotor, SSS, etc.

lot of work put into thsi bike, very nice.

Look again, thats a SBK frame   Any the perfect example of what to do when a desmoquattro motor eats it's rockers and cams for breakfast.  I still can't believe ducati survived as a company after it's highest line of motors self destruct in 5-10K miles without expensive owner repair.

[ducatiz]

Look again, thats a SBK frame   Any the perfect example of what to do when a desmoquattro motor eats it's rockers and cams for breakfast.  I still can't believe ducati survived as a company after it's highest line of motors self destruct in 5-10K miles without expensive owner repair.

wow, so it is -- but that's definitely a desmodue engine.  someone shoehorned a 900ss engine into that SBK frame, wow.

the main reason Ducati survived was Toseland and Fogarty kept winning races and people who love Italian stuff have accepted the QA issues.

Also, Ducati only sells 30-40k bikes per year, so they're a niche product anyhow -- i wonder how many 916s have never been ridden much at all, or are just sitting in some guy's office?