Way OT: Retro Ducks

UberXY · 03-02-2004, 10:26 AM

FWIW, the local Ducati dealer called today and asked for a deposit on a Paul Smart. Current final price $13,995, bike due to ship in Nov 2005.

Dingo Joe · 03-02-2004, 10:53 AM

does it come with hard bags?...

you really buying it? are they making the others that were shown a while ago?

roger albert · 03-02-2004, 12:08 PM

They're supposedly making all three now. I like the above a bunch, but am only a little iffy with the black mufflers. My eyes will need some time to adjust

repoe3 · 03-02-2004, 01:37 PM

$14k for that? come on. i am sure the others wont be as much, but still. at want point does nostalgia become bull***** and people are just not willing to fork out that much dough for an underperformer? where is the retro with the 999 engine shoe-horned into a frame...wait they are calling that the monster...so what is the point, unless someone wants an air/oil cooled v-twin with italian character that costs too much. mind you i have a soft spot in my heart for ducati as it was my beloved first bike and to say it sang to me while in the saddle would not be far from the truth. but these bikes are a pathetic attempt at, well...i dunno. it is exactly these types of exercises that i think puts ducati at risk financially. they really need to work on volume and trickle-down tech from motoGP into their production bikes and suck it up and compete with aprillia.

repoe3

bikpaintr · 03-02-2004, 04:39 PM

I don't believe Ducati is risking a damn thing with the Retros. Yours are the first negative comments I've read since they were announced. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable which is why they decided to go ahead with production. The Sport 1000 is scheduled for a March 06 release & the GT for Sept. 06 according to the latest Dealer News.

VetteRacer · 03-02-2004, 06:07 PM

I still want the MH900E from 00-01.. I think its sexier then any of these will be. Not that these arent awesome looking machines! The Smart is a damn fine looking bike. Like said above, pipes dont fit it well. And that rear plate/signal thing is horrid looking...
Definitly want to see one when they come out

http://www.ducati.com/images/pg_mh900_01.jpg Thats got my vote for best retro

Matt

jclark · jclark's Garage

These are delicious bikes.
MH900e - classic!
MGS01 - und weider!

jeff
Yum...

pdonnell · 03-02-2004, 06:53 PM

MH900 is my fav retro bike. Yummie....

BMWRider · 03-02-2004, 07:17 PM

those bikes look better than the new duc's

UberXY · 03-03-2004, 02:43 AM

Roger; agree with you on the pipes; they need to be replaced with some proper upswept chrome numbers, one per side.

repoe3 · 03-03-2004, 02:46 AM

read carefully...i never said they were ugly or anything like that. in fact i have liked them ever since i have seen them..but for $13k?!?!?! give me a break. i would much rather have a monster S4 at that price. it is simply the pricing structurfe i am beetching about. either their strategy is exclusivity or well i dont know what. maybe $10k, but not a penny more.

and last i checked bikes are just those types of things that either push your buttons or not...well one of the buttons they pushed was the "TOO *****IN PRICEY" button.

as for the risk, what i am saying is they really should try to pump up sales a bit and not with the 602ie monster. i made the arguments the entier time i owned the 916 and continue the same argument, it is not about peak power but the total package, the power, the suspension, the chasis, and the brakes. they put a wonderful package together, but theire pricing is chasing away potential buyers, hence the reference to aprillia. i think the next italian twin in my garage will be an aprillia not a ducati just for that reason. everything they produce looks goods, runs greats, and performs...all for a decent price; albeit still higher than the yapanese.

repoe3

UberXY · 03-03-2004, 04:37 AM

Heritage.

bikpaintr · 03-03-2004, 05:35 AM

The Paul Smart Rep. is a tribute to the original Imola 750 bike not the 750SS. The Imola bike had a high pipe on the left & low on the right. The twin pipes together looks much better & saves the liability issues of toasting the owners left leg. Check out
www.ducatimeccanica.com/imola750-3 for pics.

bikpaintr · 03-03-2004, 05:39 AM

This will work better: www.ducatimeccanica.com/imola750-3.html

718Rider · 03-03-2004, 05:50 AM

I saw these bikes at the NYC show and they were GOREGOUS. The three bikes at the show were far and away more beautiful than any of the other bikes lined up. I would happily pay 13K to own one of these beauties.

I'd be happier if they were priced around 9K, but the design is worth it in my opinion.

Firebolter · 03-03-2004, 05:51 AM

Well it's better than those "new" Norton repro's.....They are 20K

Daniel Restrepo · 03-03-2004, 07:28 AM

i see repoe's point all the way. i paid 5k for my used 95 900ss cr. and it's a beautiful bike IMO. on the other hand, the paul smart really tickles my fancy. damn them for pricing it so high!! turning me away just like repoe say. if it was a little less i'd think about trading.

repoe3 · 03-03-2004, 07:38 AM

if they really wanted to make it look/feel like an old bike, why didnt they stick with the orignial LOOOOONG wheelbase

restrepo, your 900SS may perform just as well, if not better.

repoe3

Daniel Restrepo · 03-03-2004, 07:46 AM

mmm, 900ss cr, yummy. thats my dad btw trying to race me to idaho!! it was a tie.

VetteRacer · 03-03-2004, 11:11 AM

repoe: At 1000 units being built, I dont think price is really an issue. They could charge $20k and would probably sell every one of them.
What makes these bikes perform so bad? Look to have current suspension, new forks, Ohlins rear shock. Not seeing any wheelbase or head angle or other information on the bikes, how do you know they will perform worse then the 95 900SS?

Matt