[bevel450]

Nothing like a provocative title, eh ?

Of course his designs were compromised. ( It is a consumer product for gods
sake.)

I've read at least six Terblanche interviews since the beginning of the year and what I seem to conclude from them is that he is really addressing the
product type and mix ( which is far more politically charged) , rather than details of his proposals for new "shiny parts" to Ducati management.

He has been a big proponent of a Supermono revival as well as a significantly improved SS, but these do not fit within Ducati management's plans. But more significantly, he has made it pretty clear that the Hyper Motard is the kind of new Ducati that the company needs and I think he is right.

He really sees his role as something as larger than in house designer.

Has anyone heard that Pierre Terblanche has alluded to Ducati compromising his designs? I recently heard this was true and I'd just like to read the source articles. TIA


bruce19

 

[bevel450]

And there you have it !

Clinical paranoia as expressed by an expert and diagnosed by an amateur.

I am the owner of a 749 Dark and a 749R .... both obviously designed by Terblanche.

If anyone wants to come in here and call my bike ugly... get ready for the flames from HELL. As I will be expressing my opinion as well.

I am tired of people bashing my choice of bike...

... this always happens when Terblanche's name comes up.

Or better yet: come over and tell me my bike is UGLY in real life. I will give you a time and place where you can do it.

 

[bevel450]

Huh ?

Just relax. No one said anything negative about your bike until you brought it up. The purpose of this board is discussion, right ? You forget that I think Terbie is magnificent. Check out the Hypermotard and the Supermono. Two bases loaded home runs in my opinion.

Minicoopers ? Actually they have something in common with the 999 bikes. They are both fabulous fun, but not to be confused with anything beautiful, ya know ?

My Mini is an ugly little enclosed skateboard of a thing that gives me 27-28 mpg with big smiles per mile. I've had them for years and they are great fun. One of these days when I get the time I want to get that conversion kit made in England where you can convert a Series 1 Mini to a "Twini-Mini" with two Hayabusa engines. About 350 hp/ 4 wheel drive fun on a 1300 pound platform.

Now go take that ugly, but well loved bike of yours out for a ride today. And learn to play well with others.

Hey Drivel -- don't get me started on mini coopers and people touching other's people's bikes and helmets ok?

 

[bevel450]

What ever happen to Bruce anyway ? He certainly was colorful.

haha yeah john, i was going to say go join club desmo or something but i didnt want to bash. Ever since Surf Dude left.. its never been the same.

 

[bevel450]

I own two (ST2, SS1000DS).

But I still think that the Sport 1000 is fat and ugly!

Tom

Tom,

I too thought that my ST was designed by Terblanche, but I have been corrected on this. It was designed by Miguel Galluzzi (sp?) as his last work before going to MV to start on the Brutale.

Terblanche did the update of the ST with the new headlight etc., much as he did the "update" on my 888SPO with the re-designed tail section and tank.

Cheers, b

 

[bevel450]

Start another poll !

Rainman-

Please don't delete this thread. Instead, think of it in pure business terms. As I am typing this, the thread has had over 1,000 hits in just 24 hours !

Can you think of a subject that draws more interest than this ? I cannot. So this is what you should do. It will dampen the flames and give a numerical basis for many of the opinions that we've all read.

Start another poll on the subject. The last one that was done many moons ago was pretty inconclusive. About 1/3 each pro, con, and "it really doesn't matter". A new poll would be even more interesting since we now have the Sportclassics on the road, and the HyperM is fresh in our minds.

Do it and give some of these strong feelings a different place to register them.

1,000 hits in 24 hours ! With popularity like that I should be selling ad space for you. lol

Cheers,

Look, here is the deal.

I own a Terblanche SS.
I love my bikes design.
Others hate it.

You know what?
I don't give a fuck.

Its my bike.
And that is all that matters.

Keep it civil people.

Last warning.

 

[bevel450]

Remember that each RETURNING person counts.
100 hits are due to me at least as I have followed this.
I don't mind people arguing over the designs, actually I am entertained by it.
BUT I just don't tolerate name calling, call-outs for fights excetera.

As long as it stays civil, I will leave the debate.
I give two warnings, and if not heeded, its out.
Right now it is good, and Migz nice apology....

Yes, I see your point. Aside from what I thought was a practical suggestion, my real point was that these threads...for all their vitriol and anger....do seem to put lots of numbers up there relative to the celebrated oil thread. As entertainment they are hard to beat- an opinion that is confirmed by the number of PM's that I get on the subject.

Maybe I see all this a bit differently than you having grown up in a neighborhood where insults were freely and colorfully exchanged- most very tongue-in-cheek by extended family who all thought they were lawyers - and thin skins were not tolerated. The internet is a far drier envirionment despite the use of smilies. Too bad. My intepretation of a "flame" is when it gets personal and not when someone says my bike, dog, car, landscaping etc. is ugly. Those are mere objects. They are not me.

Thanks for doing what you do and not pulling the plug on this thread. Most of these things work themselves out which obviously is what you feel too.

All the best, b.

 

[bevel450]

That's okay migz, you can be my wing man anytime.

Now the real question before this thread got all twisted up is... Why are yellow Ducatis so much more sexier then the red ones?

Someone please pass the popcorn.

Yellow ? Sexy ?

I am reminded of a story about Miles Davis the legendary jazz trumpeter who had a yellow Ferrari 275GTB/4 . None of his friends could understand why he had it ordered it in this "awful" color.

Miles responded...."man, since I got that car in yellow I don't get half the tickets. The cops just see another taxi cab."

So if you yellow Duc owners ever see someone waving at you, it's not a compliment. The person is just confused and in a rush to get somewhere.

 

[bevel450]

Good thoughts T.Bob. What I am really interested in is the design/styling of the 999 follow on. With the sole exception of the Monster ( ! ) all of these designs have a limited market life.

If we are now into, what, 4 years of the 999 design, then when will the follow on appear and what will it look like ? And will it make us consider the 999 as a piece of genius or a welcome relief ?

Personally, I think that the upcoming Desmosedici will get our eyes used to some new design idioms in preparation for the new Superbike.

Well I might as well join in the fun and get my but kicked..
Keep in mind I understand that the 749/999 Ducati's are an evolution of the earlier design. Engine improvement's comfort and handling are all improved.
Also keep in mind I am attacking no one, these are only my thoughts. I honestly do not think there is a bad Ducati. One of my personal favorites is a mach 3 from the early 1970's Why then did I deliberatily seek out a 748 in yellow, the finest I could find in the country? Simple, the lines appeal to me more than the latest version. Like others on this board the new design has grown on me and perhaps later I will step up to a 999 or such. Another good alternative would be an MV Augusta F4 which I believe is right now the prettiest motorcyle on this earth from a side view. Notice I said a side view. Frankly the view of the nose of both bikes still bug me. I do not think either one of our favorite designers have "hit it" with these new projector headlights. A few thoughts. No one needs a motorcycle of this caliber, this is a purchase of passion and desire. I personally find great pleasure in beauty for it's own sake. My car is a classic Porsche which I rebuilt to new. Is it because I could not afford a new one? No, I prefer the classic lines to the soft watered down effect of the latest generation of Porsche's. Regarding the Duc the older generation of headlights in the 748/916 series just seems to be more integrated into the design. Perhaps over time I will get used the idea of this new look. It shall be be interesting to see if the new design is considered classic in a few years on either the MV or the new Ducati's. I know the older one is still considered lovely right now. Perhaps the new design will become as immortal.

Regards to All

Tobago Bob

2002 748 yellow stock except tires and brakes

 

[bevel450]

Amullo,

Thanks for posting up these piccys, but..... not so fast there ! It is the mid fairing treatment which completely defines the Terbie SS with it's deep gore point and waisting and which is completely absent on the SuperM. Yes, similiarity of the top ( light) fairing, though difficult w/o a light on the SuperM.

I'm with you on the fuel tank if you accept that the SS version looks like an elephant put it's foot on the SuperM. tank to produce it.

But, these details aside, what is impressive to me is the difference in the market response to both designs. What Terb. had with one, he lost with the other. But, all product design is a gamble.

The Sup
ermono looks more like the 98- SS, but you can see the resemblance as you say red.

*Fairings - Almost exactly identical in all parts except the mid-sidefairing.
*swingarm - smaller on the Mono, but not by much
*windshield - look at where it connects and the curves
*gastank - forget the plastic part on the SS and they are alomst identical

 

[bevel450]

You know I did believe them for a while, and it did make me question my purchase, that perhaps I made a mistake... and I feel foolish.

I don't believe them for one second anymore ... because I know what they are missing out on... too bad I'm not going to be the last guy who will be made to feel foolish by people who believe 'a little too much' in their very own opinions... and go out to impose it on others.

Migz......you seem to send mixed messages. And so I am confused. Nobody has even remotely suggested that a buyer is a goof ball for buying the latest generation Superbike !

Just don't understand why anything said here about an AESTHETIC point would get tweaked. As you have said many, many times, Ducati people are very passionate about the bikes.

And with passion comes controversy. And it generates some ( to my mind ) very interesting points of view. Everytime this subject comes up I am both bored and delighted with what I read.

Lastly, there isn't a soul here who can argue that the lastest gen bikes aren't a better bike under the skin. The improvements in the functionality of the new bikes are HUGE. I buy what I love and wouldn't suggest anything else do otherwise. The 749 really talks to you. What more could anyone ask for ?

b.

 

[bevel450]

+1

I think this speaks to the point I was trying to make in a previous post. Only you can allow yourself to enjoy the bike of your dreams. As an "old guy" I can assure you that I have spent all too much time in my life letting other's opinions influence how I regarded various things/events in life. Everyone gets to have their "vision/understanding/opinion" of things in life. It doesn't have to be yours. And, when you allow someone's opinion to be yours, it's not their fault. It's your own damned fault for accepting it. (as it has been mine and most everyone else over the years.) So don't waste your time telling other people that they should be nice to you. It's not going to happen. I mean really, if I tell you it hurts my feelings that you think/express a certain opinion are you going to change? What I'm trying to get at is basically this: don't believe other people's "truths." Find your own and enjoy them.

bruce19

 

[bevel450]

FWIW, I've had 3 Ducs since 1997. Had 2 900 SS/SP's ('97 & 96) and my current '02 998. Last Spring I was looking for a DS 1000 SS and couldn't find any, so began including a 748s in the search. But then, thanks to a call from Susie at BCM, I got a lead on the 998. For $8500 I just couldn't avoid buying it, even though there's no way I can use it all on the street (and due to my limited talent).

bruce19

A 998 for 8500 ? Sounds pretty sweet to me.

Per the question, I ride an 888SPO and love the bike. I expect to get a more modern Ducati Superbike when a hot deal falls into my lap, or when a new model shows up that makes me grab for my wallet !

I am patient. Plenty to do and ride in the interim.

 

[bevel450]

+1

I have a 749 and a 996. I love them both.