[MikeM]

Sounds like they want to slash prices in order to clear out some bikes without making it look like they HAVE to slash prices in order to move some bikes.

Turn signals and lights nonwithstanding, I wonder if they are "Non-US Spec" bikes that just aren't moving in other markets...

 

[MikeM]

At least they tried to be clever in moving the left over '05 models out, let me guess, they had about 30 left over they need to sell?

30 bikes at $7,999 apiece is nearly a quarter of a million dollars... You want that in cash or in inventory gathering dust?

Keep in mind that Ducati may not sell 1,000 SuperSports for the whole of 2005 and next year, when the rest of the Sport Classics arrive, they'll probably sell even fewer of them. In that context, 30 bikes is a fairly significant number - 3% of annual sales or more than 10% of what they sell in any quarter.

For all we know Ducati may be in the process of killing the SuperSport line completely. Or maybe the Sport Classic line will kill it for them. Anybody wanna guess how many SuperSports Ducati will sell next year now that the Classics are on the way???

 

[MikeM]

and a higher price tag.

 

[MikeM]

I can't see the Sport Classics cutting into SS sales that much.

At this point, Ducati only sells 1,000 SuperSports per year, so it's not going to take a whole lot of guys to say "I'll take a Classic instead" before the impact is felt.

We'll get a preliminary indication of what SC sales are doing to SS sales next week when Ducati releases last year's Q4 sales figures. Of course, it will be difficult to tell which is impacting SS sales more, the Paul Smart or the 1,000cc Monster S2.

It's rumored that the next Sport Classic in the Ducati lineup will be an F1 Replica. If the pictures can be believed, that bike - IMO - will be the best of the Retros. I'm starting to think that bike - and the new Monster - will be the final straw for what we know as the Super Sport line unless Ducati makes some significant changes to the standard bike.

 

[MikeM]

I REALLY like that F-1 and it's the only one of the SC's I'd consider. To me (I bought a 1977 SuperSport brand-new) it's kind of weird trying to dress up a rubber-band motor to look like a bevelhead. The single-sided swingarms and goofy shocks don't make it for me on a "Retro" bike, either.

But IMO the F-1 really works. Still an F-1, just updated. Now if they'd only bump the HP to 105 or 110...

Offer a dual-seat kit for those who ride two-up and the SuperSports will sell again in decent numbers.

 

[MikeM]

.

Why does Ducati think its OK to let existing lines languish (SS, Monster, ST) while releasing new niche entries? I'm sorry, but I don't understand this approach at all.

After what has happened to the SuperSports and Superbikes, Ducati execs are probably terrified of Terblanche laying a finger on the basic Monster design.

 

[MikeM]

What might have happened if Ducati had revised the appearance and reduced the weight to a figure lower than all the Japanese 600s (under 400# wet), in effect re-creating the excitement of the original 750SS in the process (what other manufacturer has a bike like this on sale)?

Good point. When I purchased my 900 Super Sport way back in 1977, horsepower was somewhat less than a Japanese 1000 but weight was significantly lower. Cook Neilson's Daytona winner of 30 years ago notched 88 or 89hp with less than 900ccs.

Today, Buell claims they can get 150hp out of a 1300cc air-coooled AND make the bike last all season on the racetrack despite the inherent vibration problems that a Ducati wouldn't have. Numerous firms have shown how to lighten the air-cooled bikes, and that's without the benefit of changes to the cases or the overall size of the motor. It's not that Ducati can't make a more-powerful, lighter bike. They simply won't. People do like the simplicity of air-cooled motors, and motors that can be tinkered with ala Ducati DS have a tremendous appeal, too.

The latest rationale is that they are keeping a the "improved" SS off the market to protect sales of the 749 - a bike that doesn't sell all that many units in the first place. LOL

'05 sales figures will be out in a week. They've got to do something.