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Ducati VS MV Agusta: The Real Story

31462 Views 102 Replies 27 Participants Last post by cgarrison, Apr 26, 2006

badass916sp

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2006

There's been a lot of discussion about certain designers and their bikes. Most of it has been about whose designs are better, and which bikes suck, etc.

But my top two most favorite bikes are designed by the same guy. So let's talk about him...

I understand the MV Agusta design, minus the four-cylinder engine, was originally designed for Ducati. Tamburini has been called a "bandit" by Ducati. He managed to take his designs with him when he left, right? How did that happen, and why did he leave Ducati?

Does anybody have the real story from a reliable source? I can't find anything on it in any books.

Rumors and hearsay are great, but does anybody have the real truth?

Thanks, and ride safe.

alexxx

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bevel450

· #2 · Jan 11, 2006

this is too funny...

So now those morons at Ducati are offering Tamburini a back handed compliment by calling him a "bandit" as you say ?

What happened to their high esteem for their golden boy Terblanche who gave the world the 999 cut pumpkin cum streamline moderne choo choo superbike ? Even he must be offended by the attention focused on his former mentor.

This is just too funny. Tamburini as a "bandit". Thanks for a good laugh on a very gray morning.

migz123

· #3 · Jan 11, 2006

I'm ready with my popcorn

eljeffe

· #4 · Jan 11, 2006

Actually, Ducati chose NOT to renew their contract with Tamburini. It wasn't Tamburini who left Ducati.

BTW, the same brain surgeons that hired Terblanche are the same ones that let Tamburini go AFTER they rejected the designs that eventually became what is now the MV Agusta F4.

Then again, with Proton divesting itself of MV and GEVI taking on all the debt, Tamburini might move on to better things.

bevel450

· #5 · Jan 11, 2006

Well, Tamburini is actually an owner of MV, though his share would be worth, uh.....yeah.

He better be looking for another gig as well !!!

MV_999R

· #6 · Jan 11, 2006

Why discuss??

migz123

· #7 · Jan 11, 2006

MV_999R said:
Why discuss??

I think you set a good example -- a man must own both and be done with it ... have the "real stories" parked in the garage :think:

bevel450

· #8 · Jan 11, 2006

Are you local ?

MV_999R said:
Why discuss??

Yes, you are quite right. Name the track day where we can be 'tutored' on both bikes. I for one shall trade discussion for seat time.

MV_999R

· #9 · Jan 11, 2006

migz123 said:
I think you set a good example -- a man must own both and be done with it ... have the "real stories" parked in the garage :think:

Right on, get both

MV_999R

· #10 · Jan 11, 2006

bevel450 said:
Yes, you are quite right. Name the track day where we can be 'tutored' on both bikes. I for one shall trade discussion for seat time.

What's local? I don't know where you are?

Anyway, i don't think so. I'm in Portugal

bevel450

· #11 · Jan 11, 2006

Nice try bevel...

Well, for purposes of this subject local was meant to be anywhere USA. However, I am a reasonable man and if I ever find my way to the Iberian Peninsula you WILL get a PM from me.

MV_999R

· #12 · Jan 11, 2006

bevel450 said:
Well, for purposes of this subject local was meant to be anywhere USA. However, I am a reasonable man and if I ever find my way to the Iberian Peninsula you WILL get a PM from me.

Hahahahahahahaha, ok sure.
Anytime

Hickey

· #13 · Jan 11, 2006

bevel450 said:
Well, Tamburini is actually an owner of MV, though his share would be worth, uh.....yeah.

He better be looking for another gig as well !!!

I thought he was a part owner of Bimota, not MV/Agusta. I could be wrong, though.

MV_999R

· #14 · Jan 11, 2006

Hickey said:
I thought he was a part owner of Bimota, not MV/Agusta. I could be wrong, though.

He has a small part of MV and he had (i think) a part of Bimota.

Bruce_Allison

· #15 · Jan 11, 2006

Three men started Bimota> BIanchi, MOrri, and TAmburini. I think Tamborini left the company in 1990 or so.

"Bimota Bruce"

hank

· #16 · Jan 12, 2006

I heard that he left Ducati after they sold a majority stake to Texas Pacific Group - an American venture capital company..... supposedly he was angry that they sold an Italian legend to American's....

I never believed that story myself, but it was an Italian guy who works in the motorcycle industry who told me, so one never knows....

bevel450

· #17 · Jan 12, 2006

Not quite, but close.

He may have been unhappy with the TPG aquisition, but the fact is that he was, as was stated earlier in this thread, not invited to leave Cagiva Research and go to TPG Ducati. Terbie was invited and the rest....gulp...is history. Bad for Ducati, good for the rest of us.

And BTW, all of you cats out there who profess some interest in the history of Italian motorcycle design, you should check out the Bimota history book.

You will come away from reading that awesome work with the belief that Tamburini ( and his two partners in Bimota ) were phenomenal motorcycle DESIGNERS, not mere stylists, such as Terblanche. If you don't agree with this opinion, then show me where Terblanche has designed anything other than the painted parts and trim on the current Ducati product line.

Bimota history is an amazing experience as you will see that Tamburini and partners did it all. All of it ! For about 25 years ! The credit lines between the three cross over and throughout the body work, the chassis and suspension work. There is no current comparison within the modern Ducati product development staff that I am aware of.

Much exposure to Bimota history and you may well join me in agreeing that Terblanche is a real poser by comparison. But he is all that we currently have
and we hope that he can inspire, and sell to Ducati management, something that is closer to what many of us regard as classy Italian product than what we've seen from him so far.

Not to put too much of a dramatic edge on it, but if people don't like the product then the company goes down the sewer. The January 24th meeting in Bologna should be quite interesting.

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badass916sp

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 12, 2006

MV_999R asks "Why discuss?"

I think the answer is self-evident... yes, we are all riders primarily, but where do the machines we love come from, and how were they created?

Two totally different bikes, each worth owning, each with their own characterisics and personalities. Each valid, each inspired (well the 916 incarnation mostly), but all worthy of discussion.

The discussion is crucial to Ducati owners. It defines where we are going as supporters, where the company is headed, and what our attributes are as Ducati-lovers, in this collective group.

Yep, so I am going to get that Bimota book. What's the title?

Okay, I gotta go. Let's see... where did I put my helmet?

Bruce_Allison

· #19 · Jan 12, 2006

"Bimota, 25 Years of Excellence" by Giorgio Sarti.

It's been out of print for a couple years. I've seen them on Ebay fairly often.

"Bimota Bruce"

MV_999R

· #20 · Jan 12, 2006

badass916sp said:
MV_999R asks "Why discuss?"
I think the answer is self-evident... yes, we are all riders primarily, but where do the machines we love come from, and how were they created?

Sure, what is said was meant as a joke

badass916sp said:
Two totally different bikes, each worth owning, each with their own characterisics and personalities. Each valid, each inspired (well the 916 incarnation mostly), but all worthy of discussion.

And you're so right there. (even more so between the MV and the 999)

1 - 20 of 103 Posts

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