899 a long term win for Ducati?

6517 Views 14 Replies 13 Participants Last post by rosscraw, Mar 23, 2014

Evolution

Discussion Starter · Mar 18, 2014

It strikes me that as I see more and more people join the forum, it seems that most of us are coming from a Japanese bike. As we know, brand loyaltly/lifestyle stuff is usually not a huge motivator when buying a bike from the big 4. It usually ends up that whatever bike is faster that year seems to sell more since all those bikes are in direct competition with eachother in their own segments. While bike sales have been on the decline lately, it seems that Ducati, Triumph and BMW have seen a steady stream of sales with some decent growth here and there (particularly North America for Ducati). It seems to me that it's a bit more rare for a Ducati or BMW or (dare I say it) Harley rider to leave their preferred manufacturer than it is with most brands. So that makes me wonder.... if the 899 is bringing so many new riders to Ducati, will they stay? Honestly even though I've only had the bike since November, I'm attached to it in a way that I never was to my other bikes. I really can't see a circumstance from now on when I won't own at least one Duc.

With it's power to draw new customers, and possibly lock them into the brand, might this be the most important Ducati superbike yet? I can't wait to see sales numbers for Ducati at the end of this year. I think it's going to blow people away.

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Ad_raz

· #2 · Mar 18, 2014

I've been interested in bikes since I can remember & I've always wanted to own a Ducati. I believe that Ducati Is a brand you want to buy into. I'm definitely interested as well to see final sales figures for the year. The 899 (in the uk) had been made a lot more affordable with their low rate finance offers which I think is drawing more customers in.

It's the old question isn't it, why ride say a Suzuki (like I did) when for the same sort of money I can ride a Ducati. Maybe that's a bit of bold statement but a lot of people feel that way.

IMO a Ducati is a special bike & it's a bike that makes you feel special. The 899 was my ticket into this Ducati world & one I'm proud to be a part of. This only being my first Ducati I already somehow feel a loyalty to the brand & would love to stay part of the duc community, well for as long my wallet allows me lol

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S.I.U.

· #3 · Mar 18, 2014

i think the 899 is indeed a long term win for them, but they need more long term win, maybe something just as epic but cheaper than the 899.

rjjr

· #4 · Mar 18, 2014

It was the Diavel which brought me to the brand. I was impressed by the engineering and performance. I started doing track days and knew right away the only superbike for me was the Ducati. I can't overstate the value of the dealership either. Extremely knowledgeable and service orientated.

d3rRiCk7

· #5 · Mar 18, 2014

I would say it certainly open up the market more. From where I come from, the 1199 base model is an additional of $9k. from the 899 @ $35k. It definitely make owning a Ducati an easier dream. For my case, if the price was any higher, I would have bought the Aprilia RSV4 Factory which is just slightly more expensive.

rjjr

· #6 · Mar 18, 2014

$9k more? Ducati lists the base 1199 at $ 18,995.00

Rowan

· #7 · Mar 19, 2014

Depends where he's from.

Warhammer

· #8 · Mar 19, 2014

I hope that it's a win for Ducati. 20 some odd years ago, the dealer network was still fairly sparse here. It has gotten a lot better. My '06 R1 never really moved me "emotionally" like this Duc does. True, the R1 was faster and cheaper, but to me it lacked a "soul". Not to mention it wasn't very unique, eleventybillion of them were built. The 899 may be the gateway Superbike in the lineup, but the fit and finish are worlds above my Yamaha.

Taylor

· #9 · Mar 19, 2014

Well speaking for myself I was looking at jap bikes until I saw this. Sure it is more than what i was first going to spend, but as warhammer said not everyones got one and well it's a 'Ducati' !

This isn't even comparable to the likes of an R1, CBR etc IMO and I'm glad I went this way....Only five weeks to wait !

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Evolution

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 19, 2014

Warhammer said:
True, the R1 was faster and cheaper, but to me it lacked a "soul".

Whenever I used to hear people justify a Duc over a faster Japanese bike because it has "soul" or "character", I used to shake my head. I always thought it was frankly quite foolish to buy a slower bike over a faster one for the same price. I rode a 748S and I just didn't like it at all, so I was pretty sure Ducs weren't for me.

Then I was at a track day with a good friend of mine who rides an 1198. In between sessions he asked me if I wanted to take the Duc out for the next run. As soon as I got off the bike, I knew I was going to be a Ducati owner. It's just such a different experience all the way around from riding anything else. Even other twins don't feel the same. I rode a Honda RC-51 for a day and thought it was a great bike, but it didn't have that raw feeling that the 1198 did. I kind of felt like that 1198 was trying to kick me right off the seat....I'll never laugh when someone says a bike has "soul" again.

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Hot Air

· #11 · Mar 20, 2014

I'm loving the words on here. I too used to wonder why someone would spend more money for a "lesser" bike just because it was red and said "Ducati" on it. I used to live in New Zealand and I dreamed of owning a 900ss. A new one cost $20,000 NZ back then (1994). I was half way to my savings target and I ended up buying a well looked after one year old FZR1,000EXUP instead (that was also one of my dream bikes back then).

I did eventually get to test ride a 900ss. The v-twin torque, the beautiful sound, including the rattliness, its head turning looks and a certain feel good factor all etched itself permanently into my psyche. I was destined to own a Duc one day...

The 899 is my first Duc and she's a lot of bike for the money, considering earlier Ducs were pricey without the fancy electronics. A new 899 costs $25,000NZ. Considering the price of a new 900ss almost 20 years ago was 20k, that's a very small price increase over all those years of inflation. Definitely much more bike for the money in that respect.

As for the "soul" - oh yes! Only a Duc owner really knows

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[email protected]

· #12 · Mar 21, 2014

Diavels, superbikes, monsters, hypers, etc, etc I think they have most of the market covered. Once you have an Italian bike you won't go back ;-)

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xeoroe

· #13 · Mar 23, 2014

Having been a rider who always dreams of the next epic ride and having owned over 15 motorcycles in my life, I have always looked for the right bike for me no matter what brand it was. Ducati has always had me in the 'extra $$ not justified' category for me in one way or another. Now, after reading all I can about the 899, I was instantly connected in a different way. And with its price point right in the sweet spot for just about any decent bike these days ... it is time. I need to test ride one first, but I can already feel it calling me.

Ugrin

· #14 · Mar 23, 2014

xeoroe said:
Having been a rider who always dreams of the next epic ride and having owned over 15 motorcycles in my life, I have always looked for the right bike for me no matter what brand it was. Ducati has always had me in the 'extra $$ not justified' category for me in one way or another. Now, after reading all I can about the 899, I was instantly connected in a different way. And with its price point right in the sweet spot for just about any decent bike these days ... it is time. I need to test ride one first, but I can already feel it calling me.

Be advise : you'll buy one if you test ride it . It hit me so hard that I sold my GSX in two days after I test rode the 899 and I have my vintage Honda for sale too just because I can't think of nothing else since I sat on one

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rosscraw

· #15 · Mar 23, 2014

Ugrin said:
Be advise : you'll buy one if you test ride it . It hit me so hard that I sold my GSX in two days after I test rode the 899 and I have my vintage Honda for sale too just because I can't think of nothing else since I sat on one

It got you too... Haha! I went to the dealer for a test ride to see what all the fuss was about. Had no plan on buying an 899. 1 hour later The dealer had my deposit and 1000 smiles later. I'm loving every second.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

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