[ddk632]

To me people who tag others or seek to be tagged as fans of specific brands are the Borg of the motorcycling world, they buy into the whole idea that brands are important and they seek out those who belong to the same brand hive. The term Ducatista only has significance to the Borgs of motorcycling.

Resistance is futile.

:abduct:

 

[desmodue68]

I guess it really comes down to what each one of us defines as "Ducatista". I consider myself one since my early teens. I normally tell no one outside my riding friends about what brands of bikes I own. For that matter, I also consider myself as an "aprilista", a "Hondista" and a "Triumphalista" ( now, that sounds cool). I have a poster of Dr. Fabio Taglione on my garage, I enjoy his desmo engines very much, I wrench them, I race them, I enjoy listening them. But I also enjoy many aspects of my other bikes as well. Mostly in silence as I don't parade around on brand specific attire. So a "Guido" posing on the street? My rich friend who owns many Ducatis but don't care for them? Not Ducatistas at all.
So, I guess it is a very personal matter.

 

[RomeoMW]

I'll be honest, my Sport1000 is a tempermental little bitch but I love it nonetheless. I guess I've always like troublemaker hoes as long as the ride was good!!!

Temperamental? Really? Those DS1000 engines are nearly as solid as the oil head boxer on my BMW! The gas tanks qualify I suppose, haha...

I sure love the uniqueness of my Ducati but less so when the nearest dealer is almost 200 miles away. I'd probably get branded as one by other people just for having one, if they knew the word existed. Central NY is not a hotbed for euro bikes, and I routinely heard things like, "I don't know that I've ever seen a Ducati around here before" this summer. I do like rider enthusiast more as a label...



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[KTOGUN]

Electrically temperamental. And I like the term Douchatista. Just came up with that.

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[C-simian]

In my opinion, at the heart of this is manufacturer marketing . . . To me people who tag others or seek to be tagged as fans of specific brands are the Borg of the motorcycling world, they buy into the whole idea that brands are important and they seek out those who belong to the same brand hive. The term Ducatista only has significance to the Borgs of motorcycling.

Hhhmmmm . . . I understand that point of view, and I don't use the term Ducatista for myself, but don't particularly mind when my buddies (almost all of whom ride other brands) use it of me.

I guess my problem with the unqualified rant against brand affiliation is that I really like my motorcycles after having owned many others over the years. For better or for worse, I decided that I'd like to get to know a couple of good bikes inside and out in the last few decades of motorcycle riding.

So I do a lot of work on my bikes myself, I have the tools and the garage space, and have spent quite a bit of time coming to terms with desmoquatro and testastretta engines. I like the engineering (most of the time - the space arrangements sometimes suck) and am fascinated by their mechanical attributes.

Does that make me a 'Borg'? I don't know, but I do like the metaphor employed by Brent Spiegel (who rode a Bimota) "The Upper Half of the Motorcycle!" And I also like the attitude of Matthew Crawford in his book "Shop Class as Soul Craft," which treats wrenching bikes as a valuable attribute of life.

Since there's not enough time in a year to ride every type of bike, work on every type of bike, and have a full time job outside of the industry, it stands to reason that one would pick a brand out of sheer temporal constraints.

I just count myself lucky that I can enjoy Ducati motorcycles at this time in my life, learning as much as I can and not worrying too much about the culture wars.

Ron

 

[baimo]

Lol. I hate the douchey Ducati guys though more than the douchey harley guys. And BTW, harleys are great bikes. And BMWs and all others. I understand a fetish, especially for types of women lol. But being brand loyal is annoying to me. Like Chevy guys who will drink whatever swill of a truck that's pumped out. I have a ford f150 and the first truck ive ever had. I wouldnt hesitate to get a Chevy but I think the style sucks. Personal taste, but the chevies are damn good trucks as well, just not my style. I'll be honest, my Sport1000 is a tempermental little bitch but I love it nonetheless. I guess I've always like troublemaker hoes as long as the ride was good!!!

+1 Do people really think that Harley and BMW sell all those bikes and they suck. The american car manufacturers put out an inferior product for awhile and lost their number 1 ranking worldwide. They learned their lesson and are putting out quality machines again. Lot of great bikes out there, just a matter of taste. The harley forums have similar threads but they do not concern Harley bikes, just "What makes a real biker?" A different thread of BS

 

[officerleroy]

+1 Do people really think that Harley and BMW sell all those bikes and they suck.

Define "Suck". Overpriced, heavy, low performance, shiny, image enablers? Ya I'll say they suck all day long. Hey if you like it for what it is fine, I'm not talking about the people that like them, I'm talking about the actual bikes themselves. While it is apples to oranges, I have no problem comparing any motorcycle to another one.

And since when is the amount sold a determinant of quality? I guess ke$ha and corrolas are top-notch?

 

[KTOGUN]

Ke$ha IS top notch!! Lee my girl alone!! Lol

I love Harleys. Freight train of the highway. Never wanna stop riding. Been on one for a 16 hour day and over 1K miles. Different bikes suit different applications. Just like autos. When I want to chill and ride to look at scenery and relax and take in the world, Harley is my choice. On my sport1000 I spend more time working on lines and hugging guardrails and looking over my shoulder.

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[Wislon]

"For those guys that are very knowledgable and really enjoy and appreciate their Ducatis, "Ducatista" works just fine".
"Ducatista" is not an insult or a compliment. It depends on who's using the word.
Fanboys might use the word about themselves: "I'm a Honda man all the way" or "I'm a Chevy guy" or "I'm a Ducatista" ? Yes, Borgs. Unreasoning consumers who've latched on to something that relieves the need for further thought.
Aficionados I've met never use that term. They may grudgingly admit to it if pressed in a friendly manner, but they'll make an effort to qualify the meaning, not wanting to be branded as Fanboys. C-Simian got it right.
Just, "Rider who appreciates these nice Italian bikes" is fine.

 

[baimo]

Define "Suck". Overpriced, heavy, low performance, shiny, image enablers? Ya I'll say they suck all day long. Hey if you like it for what it is fine, I'm not talking about the people that like them, I'm talking about the actual bikes themselves. While it is apples to oranges, I have no problem comparing any motorcycle to another one.

And since when is the amount sold a determinant of quality? I guess ke$ha and corrolas are top-notch?

I don't know what a ke$ha is but from what I gather, a corolla is a great car. I drive a Mercedes CLS550 but it does not make it more reliable than a Toyota. Its not a Ferrari, just a good car. As far as low volume sales, some people don't like rolls royces. Corvettes outperform them, but that is not why people buy rolls royces. I bought a streetfighter this year and am honestly thinking of selling my Harley for another sportsbike (Not another duc). But quality wise, I have a lot less problems with the Harley. I have never had more fun on a bike than I do on my Ducati, but it does not make it better than a Japanese sportbike and certainly the quality control is better on the Japanes bikes.

All my vehicles rock - I wish I had room to keep another bike but the Harley might be replaced by a Kawasaki zx-10r or a BMW S 1000 RR. Anyway I will have fun with all of them. Love my Duc but I don't have it tattooed on my chest. Lot of nice stuff out there. open your eyes

 

[FatCobra]

Hhhmmmm . . . I understand that point of view, and I don't use the term Ducatista for myself, but don't particularly mind when my buddies (almost all of whom ride other brands) use it of me.

I guess my problem with the unqualified rant against brand affiliation is that I really like my motorcycles after having owned many others over the years. For better or for worse, I decided that I'd like to get to know a couple of good bikes inside and out in the last few decades of motorcycle riding.

So I do a lot of work on my bikes myself, I have the tools and the garage space, and have spent quite a bit of time coming to terms with desmoquatro and testastretta engines. I like the engineering (most of the time - the space arrangements sometimes suck) and am fascinated by their mechanical attributes.

Does that make me a 'Borg'? I don't know, but I do like the metaphor employed by Brent Spiegel (who rode a Bimota) "The Upper Half of the Motorcycle!" And I also like the attitude of Matthew Crawford in his book "Shop Class as Soul Craft," which treats wrenching bikes as a valuable attribute of life.

Since there's not enough time in a year to ride every type of bike, work on every type of bike, and have a full time job outside of the industry, it stands to reason that one would pick a brand out of sheer temporal constraints.

I just count myself lucky that I can enjoy Ducati motorcycles at this time in my life, learning as much as I can and not worrying too much about the culture wars.

Ron

This seems pretty sensible - no?
Funny no one else felt that way-

 

[baimo]

Hhhmmmm . . . I understand that point of view, and I don't use the term Ducatista for myself, but don't particularly mind when my buddies (almost all of whom ride other brands) use it of me.

I guess my problem with the unqualified rant against brand affiliation is that I really like my motorcycles after having owned many others over the years. For better or for worse, I decided that I'd like to get to know a couple of good bikes inside and out in the last few decades of motorcycle riding.

So I do a lot of work on my bikes myself, I have the tools and the garage space, and have spent quite a bit of time coming to terms with desmoquatro and testastretta engines. I like the engineering (most of the time - the space arrangements sometimes suck) and am fascinated by their mechanical attributes.

Does that make me a 'Borg'? I don't know, but I do like the metaphor employed by Brent Spiegel (who rode a Bimota) "The Upper Half of the Motorcycle!" And I also like the attitude of Matthew Crawford in his book "Shop Class as Soul Craft," which treats wrenching bikes as a valuable attribute of life.

Since there's not enough time in a year to ride every type of bike, work on every type of bike, and have a full time job outside of the industry, it stands to reason that one would pick a brand out of sheer temporal constraints.

I just count myself lucky that I can enjoy Ducati motorcycles at this time in my life, learning as much as I can and not worrying too much about the culture wars.

Ron

Does not make you a borg, just a smart gentleman

 

[Chick]

This seems pretty sensible - no?
Funny no one else felt that way-

Enjoyed your comment but take a minor exception. Many of us feel that way but simply did not or could not express it.

 

[ray916mn]

Hhhmmmm . . . I understand that point of view, and I don't use the term Ducatista for myself, but don't particularly mind when my buddies (almost all of whom ride other brands) use it of me.

I guess my problem with the unqualified rant against brand affiliation is that I really like my motorcycles after having owned many others over the years. For better or for worse, I decided that I'd like to get to know a couple of good bikes inside and out in the last few decades of motorcycle riding.

So I do a lot of work on my bikes myself, I have the tools and the garage space, and have spent quite a bit of time coming to terms with desmoquatro and testastretta engines. I like the engineering (most of the time - the space arrangements sometimes suck) and am fascinated by their mechanical attributes.

Does that make me a 'Borg'? I don't know, but I do like the metaphor employed by Brent Spiegel (who rode a Bimota) "The Upper Half of the Motorcycle!" And I also like the attitude of Matthew Crawford in his book "Shop Class as Soul Craft," which treats wrenching bikes as a valuable attribute of life.

Since there's not enough time in a year to ride every type of bike, work on every type of bike, and have a full time job outside of the industry, it stands to reason that one would pick a brand out of sheer temporal constraints.

I just count myself lucky that I can enjoy Ducati motorcycles at this time in my life, learning as much as I can and not worrying too much about the culture wars.

Ron

It only makes you the Borg, if your enjoyment of some bikes of a given maker, leads you to believe all bikes the maker makes are superior to those of every other maker. The Borg put brand above and beyond any individual bike made by the brand. They believe because a given bike is the best in their opinion that all bikes from the same maker must be the best in their respective market category. Given enough time and resource, they would never buy a different brand of bike. Why bother, their chosen brand is the best irrespective of model.

It sounds very unlikely that you are part of the Borg. A Borg would say Ducati's space arrangements are better than those of any maker....

 

[st2lemans]

The term Ducatista only has significance to the Borgs of motorcycling.

Or your average Italian, motorcyclist or not.

Tom