Ducati (ex) owners?

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I agree with you papa, it certainly isn t true of ALL members of a group, but propensities are easy to recognize. For example.. Sport bike riders ride more aggressively than cruiser riders. BMW riders put more miles on their bikes than Harley riders. Hondas are reliable and have good fit and finish. Buicks are driven by old people. There may be cases, there ARE cases, where each of those statements would be false, but generally speaking I would say they contain a modicrum of truth.

Believe me I have seen so much worse said about Japanese bikes and riders of Japanese bikes by Harley enthusiasts than I have ever seen the other way around. So it is not a one way street, and there is plenty of predjudice to go around. Lions hang with lions and they are not too fond of Cheetahs even though they are both big cats.

Not all pit bulls are mean and will bite you and not all labradors are loveable and will lick you instead, still given the choice of which breed I want around my children, by reputation, I would choose the lab. Long held reputations are usually earned.

You are becoming wise with your years.

I didn't see anything remotely approaching a slight or insult or slander in this thread so I don't know quite what is happening here.

The OP wanted to know about Ducatis. They are built for style and sex appeal, and are thus attractive to a certain kind of rider, generally one who doesn't use a spreadsheet to choose a bike (thank you to Capo for that one), but instead uses his or her heart.

But the contents of a man's heart are known only to the Almighty, whereas the spreadsheet is known to all.

I do know, although I am not as wise as the The ferret (nor as omniscient as the Almighty) that it is absolutely human nature for each one of us to feel he has the moral high ground well-staked.

Is it not true that the term "heartfelt" is generally construed as meaning the person described is a loving, feeling individual who will eschew material things for those of deep intrinsic value?

I can only say that the spreadsheet says Ducatis do not have the same inherent material value as do their Japanese counterparts.

And we know the spreadsheets can show this kind of thing. Cost of ownership, reliability, durability are all things more readily associated with Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki, probably in that order.

How about "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" as compared to this Ducati ad copy, from some time ago:

Ducati is for the connoisseur. The rider who demands quality craftsmanship. The rider who wants a machine, not a toy. Is this you? Then Ducati is for you. Definitely!

Ducati, you see, is made in Italy where old-world craftsmanship is still a fine art. The men who make Ducati take pride in their work. They don’t hurry. They don’t cut corners. They lavish skillful attention on every detail.

I am not sure that I do see, but at my age, I am willing to take some things on faith.

To speak of the Ducati marque, especially in this day and age, is to speak of affluence, or at the very least, a profligate spender. Just to show up on any late-model Ducati at the local roadhouse instantly says "this rider has money". It's no different than rolling up to the valet with a new Tesla, autopilot and all.

So going into any discussion regarding Ducati must needs admit the cachet of wealth, accompanied with the Ducati mythology of a bunch of old men slaving tirelessly over a drill press or grindstone, putting the final touches of old-world craftsmanship on a one-of-a-kind machine (not a toy, mind you, like those Japanese bikes).

The Ducati is not a practical motorcycle, as Capo has intimated. Perhaps it does speak to the heart, or to the id, ego, or superego.

I can only say one thing; when I decided to buy a superbike, I could have afforded any bike out there, including the Panigale, Aprilia RSV, Yamaha YZF-R1M, and so on. I am retired and wanted a bike and figured I can't take it with me, so why not splurge?

The Ducati was not on my radar for more than few moments.

My heart, ironically, is regularly informing me that my 30th Anniversary ZX-10R was the right move.