Ducati Vyper muscle bike???

[Mr. Whippy]

Looks like a tugboat.  

[atadaskew]

I don't think that's smoke.  Looks like the photo was taken through a dirty car window.

[Mookie]

Yesh.  But with the V4 motor...
Actually I think it's cool as is, as it's meant to be ridiculous.  The power of the Vmax, but for 300lbs less weight...
Ducati, showing how it's done! Awwwright!

It's actually got the testastreta V-twin bored out to 1400cc.  I think it's ugly but I could see it finding a niche next to that giant Triumph thing, which I can't remember the name of....Is that selling well these days?

[Rincewind]

It's actually got the testastreta V-twin bored out to 1400cc.  I think it's ugly but I could see it finding a niche next to that giant Triumph thing, which I can't remember the name of....Is that selling well these days?

The Rocket III.  And yes, I believe it's doing well.  They just launched a Roadster version this year, to compliment the base model and the new touring model from last year.

[falconati]

The Rocket is selling really well, though I think the new Thunderbird might be outselling it.

[Rincewind]

More spy pics @ MCN today.


Ducati muscle bike up close - new spy shots!

By Andy Downes -

 15 July 2010 12:28

Ducati’s new 1200cc V-twin muscle bike has been staked out by MCN just a week after amateur spy shots captured the bike testing on the road.

These new images give the best look yet at the bike's overall appearance and reveal a host of fascinating new details.  

We caught the bike leaving the factory last week as it underwent final prototype testing before a launch in November at the Milan motorcycle show.

The bike is a 150+ bhp 1200cc V-twin that has the appearance of a sport-cruiser but the performance of a superbike, with brilliant handling according to insiders, who have also revealed it will dramatically undercut weight expectations despite the imposing size.

[1KPerDay]

LOL they can't even resist photoshopping the spy pics. Morans.  

[UFO]

Dunno, looks kind of cool.  Cruisers not my thing, but Ducati sure seems to be going hell bent on nearly every street segment.

[falconati]

Pretty sexy, not sure if it's my thing though.

Anyway, I think this is actually going to happen.  My Ducati dealer could confirm 2 new models next year, but said that not even they knew what they'd be until the fall.

[atadaskew]

I'd get it.  Kinda like my dearly departed Street Bob except more bitchin'. In every respect.

Right now it seems that their are only 2 companies who are really going for all of motorcycling's segments with new product.  BMW and Ducati.

[Rincewind]

New sketch leaked by a Ducati Dealer.  I think it looks pretty exciting, and if they can provide a low weight power cruiser they will have redefined the class.



http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/July/jul1610-ducati-dealer-leaks-0803-sketch/

[st ryder]

I'd get it.  Kinda like my dearly departed Street Bob except more bitchin'. In every respect.

Right now it seems that their are only 2 companies who are really going for all of motorcycling's segments with new product.  BMW and Ducati.

What power cruiser does BMW build?

There's no way any Ducati can be more bitchin' than a BT HD or a V-Max, which is the "Gold Standard" for power cruisers IMO. I don't "get" this Ducati.   Maybe one day I will, but I can't help but think Ducati will be as successful at cruisers, especially power cruisers, as HD was at building sport bikes. Not very.   The thing with V-max bikes is they're over built. You can launch them hard all day, week, month etc, with no issues. I'd be really impressed if Ducati could build anything with such anvil-like reliability under the type of constant abuse V-Maxes are subjected to, and keep desmos and rubber timing belts.   Not to say they wouldn't hold up, but the maintenance required would be very expensive in comparison to a V-max.  

[atadaskew]

New sketch leaked by a Ducati Dealer.  I think it looks pretty exciting, and if they can provide a low weight power cruiser they will have redefined the class.



http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/July/jul1610-ducati-dealer-leaks-0803-sketch/

Looks like a Harley Vrod

[Rincewind]

Looks like a Harley Vrod

Not so much to me, other than both being in the general power-cruiser category.  Here's the latest spy shot.  

Fork rake seems pretty short for a power cruiser.



http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/07/is-the-ducati-0803-a-cruiser-o.html

[Rabidsnipe]

I like the concept sketch better.  The front wheel looks like it is too close to the rest of the frame/motor and the rear wheel looks too far away.

[st ryder]

I like the concept sketch better.  The front wheel looks like it is too close to the rest of the frame/motor and the rear wheel looks too far away.

No matter what you do, a power cruiser and a sport bike cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Low bike with a long swing arm/wb = great launchs but slow/limited handling. Raked out front end = stablility at high speeds in a straight line, but wheel barrow handling in the turns. The concept sketch shows a slammed bike with a nicley raked out fork that's far better suited for a muscle bike.  Dispense with any handling pretense, because it ain't gonna happen, and just build a street light to street light straight line rocket one trick bike that will collect dust in Ducati showrooms.

Ducati's lost its way with this bike IMO since it belies all that's good about Ducati which has never built a drag strip, muscle bike afaik. It's like Ferrari building an American style Camaro/Mustang muscle car. Preposterous IMO.  

[coho]

Maybe he'd just then grabbed a big handful of brakes?  

[Rincewind]

Maybe he'd just then grabbed a big handful of brakes?  

Maybe, though the fork is not very far compressed.  

I sort of agree with ST Ryder that there are conflicting principles at work.  Short rake with a long wheelbase and a fat tire?  Maybe the Ducati magic can make that work, maybe not - we'll see.

I don't think the bike is completely preposterous, but it is squarely aimed at America.

[scramblerracer123]

This looks like a V Max raped a V Rod while watching Biker Boyz.  Will this get the brotha's off slammed Hayabusas and into Ducati shops?  

[Rincewind]

They are being very thorough with testing this new bike, supposedly called the Devil (Diavel).  





Believe it or not, it doesn’t appear as if the test rider crashed due to the incredible girth of the 0803’s 240-section rear tire, but instead was hit by a turning car.

 

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/09/secret-ducati-muscle-bike-crashes/