AMG to buy Ducati (rumor)

[rideserotta]

Diavel reminds me of a cousin no one likes at Thanksgiving. Definitely a part of the family but no one wants to hang out with him. I can honestly say that I would much rather have my M620 than a new Diavel... seriously. I think it will be a commercial flop.

[RichD]

I think as the V-Rod is to Harly purists, the Diavel is to Duc purists.

The V-rod was (is still?) HATED by the panhead crowd
...but it is a good bike with merits ...so a new Harley market was opened up
With a new segment of not-previously-Harly-owners consumers to fill the void

The situation is a similar parallel, but there is a big difference this time around.
Basically: "global financial health".

I wish them the best on the project.  It's just (no fault of Ducati) not the best timing.

[Speedbag]

The V-rod was (is still?) HATED by the panhead crowd

Wrong!

Heehee. I own a V-Rod AND a panhead. 

[ducatiz]

Yeah, the panhead crowd hates you.

[zooom]

I think as the V-Rod is to Harly purists, the Diavel is to Duc purists.

The V-rod was (is still?) HATED by the panhead crowd
...but it is a good bike with merits ...so a new Harley market was opened up
With a new segment of not-previously-Harly-owners consumers to fill the void

The situation is a similar parallel, but there is a big difference this time around.
Basically: "global financial health".

I wish them the best on the project.  It's just (no fault of Ducati) not the best timing.

I mostly agree with you with the addition of one thing...the core audience of the former with a mindset of a similar riding style as apposed to the latter....it will bring more diversity to their customer base as far as riding style in comparo to the HD V-Rod....

[Speedbag]

Yeah, the panhead crowd hates you.

It's funny, I've run into a few folks (usually newbs on their brand-new late model H-D) on my V-Rod that give me static, usually "why don't you buy a REAL Harley" or some such tripe.

To which I respond, "If I want to ride an antique, I ride my panhead."

Usually shuts them right the hell up. 

[rideserotta]

I agree that it will bring in a different crowd. And I think all companies to that to some extent to try and generate more revenue. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Some Porsche owners think anything but a 911 is not a Porsche. They hated the 944 and smirked at the Cayenne. The Cayenne at one point (may still be) the best seller volume wise. financially it helped out tremendously. Cadillac and their SUV is similar. So, I guess it could work out for them. The timing with the economy is bad so it will be interested to see if it helps or not.

[justinrhenry]

This rumor about AMG buying Ducati is very odd because I bought Ducati last weekend.   

[Popeye the Sailor]

AMG is making a hypermotard?!?

[Drunken Monkey]

AMG is making a hypermotard?!?

That joke never gets old 

Oddly, a lot of folks were all  about the new 'strada (it looks like an aardvark!) and yet I keep running into guys riding it. Admittedly it's a small sample (3) but all of them were ex -BMW guys who appreciated the lighter weight and higher "zoot" factor of the 'strada. So, three converts based on power / weight / flexibility.

I suspect the Diavel is going to have the same effect on folks currently riding whatever it is that they ride.

While, it's not the bike for me, I'm coming around to the idea that for for people who like that sort of thing, it's the sort of thing they like.

[sbrguy]

i think other have it here the main thing that they have against them is just that its a 18k bike and the economy stinks right now so getting msrp from the dealers is going to be tough, its just tough for motorcycle companies period and something new is eitehr going to be good, as in taking business away from a competitor, ie, hd, vmax, or any of the outher power cruisers, or like other said it just won't have enough people buying if for no other reason nobody is buying bikes.

[RichD]

i think other have it here the main thing that they have against them is just that its a 18k bike and the economy stinks right now so getting msrp from the dealers is going to be tough, its just tough for motorcycle companies period and something new is eitehr going to be good, as in taking business away from a competitor, ie, hd, vmax, or any of the outher power cruisers, or like other said it just won't have enough people buying if for no other reason nobody is buying bikes.

Holy run-on sentences Batman!!!

[Christian]

i think other have it here the main thing that they have against them is just that its a 18k bike and the economy stinks right now so getting msrp from the dealers is going to be tough, its just tough for motorcycle companies period and something new is eitehr going to be good, as in taking business away from a competitor, ie, hd, vmax, or any of the outher power cruisers, or like other said it just won't have enough people buying if for no other reason nobody is buying bikes.

By that logic, no one would be buying expensive Multistradas, and then are, so. *shrug*

[sbrguy]

you are right nobody should be buying multistradas.

then again who know. maybe this new diavel will turn out to be a best seller for ducati.  only time will tell.

[RichD]

...then again who know. maybe this new diavel will turn out to be a best seller for ducati.  only time will tell.

Ducati didn't think the Monster was going to be succesful ...it was a special project/favor.

It is the all-time best selling Duc.   

You never know! (or at least I never know ...I'm not much on marketing I guess)