For many, this will come with a sigh of relief. Ducati VP of Marketing, Diego Sgorbati, has confirmed that Ducati has no intentions of making a cruiser motorcycle…for the time being. Long rumored to appear at the upcoming EICMA expo, the Ducati Vyper concept has stirred a few imaginations, as well as a few stomachs. Reported in various forms, we still like to visualize it with the renders that Luca from Bar-Design provided us with last year.
While Ducati has ruled out adding the cruiser segment to its model line-up, Sgorbati says Ducati hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making one in the future:
“Whether we make it in 4 or 5 years is hard to say. ‘custom’ motorcycles are something we are keeping an eye on to see if the style would garner the interest of buyers who are not your typical Ducati purchasers.”
If you were one of the many that resisted Ducati’s move with the Vyper concept, and are still waiting to see what happens with the upcoming Strada Aperta road-enduro, you may not want to read what we have to say next. According to Sgorbati, Ducati is considering expanding into other ranges that just street/sport bikes.
“Ducati is watching other segments as well: scooters, customs, enduros, and off-road. It’s natural. But before going in a set direction, we must also consider the possible barriers, including technology and distribution. How many dealerships can sell superbikes and motocross bikes in equal numbers? Also, you have to keep the ’soul’ of the brand, make sure it’s in synch with the product. What worked 20 years ago may not work today.”
Don’t think that Ducati is limiting itself to just internal combustion engines, the Bologna brand hasn’t ruled out making an electric motorcycle. We don’t expect to see Ducati at the next up-coming eGrand-Prix. It would seem instead, they prefer for the electric motorcycle startups to do the heavy lifting, and prove that the market exists.
“We are very interested in these technologies, but the question remains: does today’s rider feel responsible for pollution in the cities, and are they looking to produce less pollution?”
Thanks for parlo italiano Miguel.
Source: MotoBlog
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I doubt most riders are not looking for less pollution but there are other advantages to electric. Simplicity, lower maintenance (no oil changes, gummed up carbs, etc) Many riders are looking for new, cool and different. There is also a potential untapped audience intimidated by noise, heat, gears and vibration of I.C.E. bikes.
Does not sound like he has looked into it too hard.
I think the real question is what the max they are willing to pay for the level of performance they will get with todays electric technology?
Glad Ducati went ahead and squashed the chatter about that god awful POS. As for them expanding the market to enduros,dirtbikes and the like I say bring it on just dont make them look like cheap ,hrown together parts bin specials ala the new Monster.
I’m still waiting for Ducati to produce something like this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JBCSy1oyahI/Sco–2yIG0I/AAAAAAAAAcw/Vu9dMmGmduA/s1600-h/DUCATI+DESMOSCRAMBLER+696+O.B..jpg
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
Ducati Abandons Vyper Cruiser Concept – The Vyper is dead but it does look cool but not sellable – http://bit.ly/4xQ8Ll
It’s a shame that Ducati didn’t make use of that genius design of Luca Bar!!! i just do not get it, this is the ultimate gate for a cruiser world, and for a non Ducati potential buyers.
Just in case they are back to their senses, i will be the first one to book that brilliant cruiser design at any cost.