emily's driver
06-07-2006, 08:44 AM
No not George Michael again, but more evidence from an independent source of Ducati's intention with respect to the 999 and Monster ranges next year, confirmation of which will be revealed at the Milan show (since they are opting out of the NEC this year..apparently).
"Ducati has started to do some really serious R&D ahead of the 2007 model year. Ducati are in desperate need to gain ground on the world markets again after several years with shrinking sales particularly in Europe and at home in Italy. The Ferrari of bikes has been the 999, but next year Ducati will have a completely new animal to knock out any other protagonist to that particular throne with the Desmosedici RR. But more importantly, Ducati has developed a big bore L-twin that will find its way into all the range topping models for us less privileged people. The talk goes that the new 1200 will find its way into both the Multistrada and Monster ranges. We admit to being delighted about the news that a big engine will find its way into the 999 replacement as well, but really it's in a Monster and Multistrada that this engine can let that anticipated brutal torque curve loose on the roads. Ducatis with the trademark dry-clutch set up tends to be a bit grabby in the early gears. According to our sources Ducati might have a wet clutch in the new 1200cc engine. If it really is true that Ducati has developed both an air-cooled 2-valved 1200 and a liquid cooled 1088-1188 superbike we think we could be up for a treat. Everyone is either on holiday or on 4,5 hour long lunch breaks on the beach or watching the World Cup finals in Italy so we have no official comments yet. But as soon as we know more we will let you know first."
"Ducati has started to do some really serious R&D ahead of the 2007 model year. Ducati are in desperate need to gain ground on the world markets again after several years with shrinking sales particularly in Europe and at home in Italy. The Ferrari of bikes has been the 999, but next year Ducati will have a completely new animal to knock out any other protagonist to that particular throne with the Desmosedici RR. But more importantly, Ducati has developed a big bore L-twin that will find its way into all the range topping models for us less privileged people. The talk goes that the new 1200 will find its way into both the Multistrada and Monster ranges. We admit to being delighted about the news that a big engine will find its way into the 999 replacement as well, but really it's in a Monster and Multistrada that this engine can let that anticipated brutal torque curve loose on the roads. Ducatis with the trademark dry-clutch set up tends to be a bit grabby in the early gears. According to our sources Ducati might have a wet clutch in the new 1200cc engine. If it really is true that Ducati has developed both an air-cooled 2-valved 1200 and a liquid cooled 1088-1188 superbike we think we could be up for a treat. Everyone is either on holiday or on 4,5 hour long lunch breaks on the beach or watching the World Cup finals in Italy so we have no official comments yet. But as soon as we know more we will let you know first."