Say it ain't so ......

[the Ferret]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2017/06/h...or-ducati/

[Aka Tsubasa_imp]

Well, they do have the same maintenance needs. Seems like a perfect fit to me.

[DAC]

H-D won't be doing that again. MV Augusta was bad enough.

Why is Ducati so cheap? Are they just too inefficient? If so, maybe somebody like Blackstone or Apollo could end up buying Ducati, rationalizing (i.e., offshoring) the production process and revamping the back office, then flipping it.

[the Ferret]

Well, they do have the same maintenance needs. Seems like a perfect fit to me.

My son does refer to his Duc as his Italian Harley

[LongRanger_imp]

I refer to my CB as "my Harley," simply because it's my cruiser.

Agree with the above -- it'd be surprising to see HD acquire Ducati, unless they learned something from their ownership of MV Agusta and are ready to try again.

[ride4now_imp]

You know... I hope this doesn't turn into a Harley bashing thread. My Harley requires less maintenance than my Honda does, has 23,000 no issue miles on it, doesn't leak oil (in case anyone is wondering), has better fit and finish, has no chain to lube... I could go on. So come on...

As for the Ducati purchase. I'd be surprised to see that happen. They did nothing with MV when they had it (as far as I know) and the only thing I could see come from this would be a whole bunch of debt. They've owned MV, they partnered with another Italian brand in the 60's, they've built snow mobiles, boats too I think, and they were owned by AMF in the '70's. None of these worked out very well. They'd be smart (imho) sticking to their core product and making it even cooler and better. Indian is starting to eat into their market share and it's not coming from the sport bike or exotic angle either... But, perhaps it would bring a younger customer into the dealers which is what everyone wants. The whole industry is in a funk because 'the kids' aren't riding. They're playing on their electronics!!!

[Lord Popgun]

I really don't know if it would be good or bad for HD, but OTOH, if they sell Ducatis at the HD shops there would be a lot more dealers and thus, maybe, more sales. I know where I am the nearest Ducati dealer is 90 miles away.

[the Ferret]

R4N I think it's more of a Ducati bashing thread lol. I know my son's Duc hasn't been the most reliable, braking down, leaking oil, electronics going out (all the things HD has a traditionally bad rep for) ... Although, knock on wood.. It hasn't given him any trouble lately. The last Harley I had (1994-1996) ran fine and was oil tight and only had one electrical issue which they fixed under warranty. It wasn't a particularly " great" motorcycle, but it wasn't an awful motorcycle either. I would say it was " ok". I do have a buddy who's motor burnt up at 38K on his touring Harley ( he bought another one) and a guy I rode to NC with on another had an exhaust pipe nut fall off and lost a side stand spring. We fixed it in a a motel lot and a gas station. Neither issue was trip ending. Another buddy, 30 year HD rider switched to Moto Guzzis ( that one confused me lol). All in all though I'd say Harley is doing a fine job of building and selling motorcycles. LOrd knows it's about all you see on the road these days.

They would never put Ducatis in HD dealerships. Their dealers are not interested in selling anything but Harleys ( they weren't even interested in selling Buells with Harley engines). If HD bought Ducati, it would be to re-sell, but I don't see it happening.

[ride4now_imp]

I forgot about Buell.... guess they made a big impression on me! Lol...

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

The rumor always pops up when Duc is for sale..

However it could happen this time

While ducs might not be sold in HD shops in the US. Hds could be sold in duc shops outside the US..

My other ride is a hd - it's been fine, I've had other bikes require more attention (cough cough ktm cough cough). Amongst my hd brethren there is some lack of understanding about the street line. Especially the street rod (hoped up street 750 just released). It's why make it, we've got the sportster. They don't get it. It wasn't made for the US.

In many other countries a motorcycle is a main source of transportation for many especially in urban spots (unlike the US where most are recreational). So hd needed something for em, that won't break the bank. HD's are hugely expensive in other countries and this the dealer network is sparser. So buying Duc would give hd a means of selling the street line to a bunch more as well enticing those with the $ to go bigger..