+1 - it is very clear that Ducati do not know how to design a bike that can compete with Yamaha or Honda. They insist on an engine layout which no one else adopts and until this year a carbon frame which Yamaha have said would cause issues but yet Ducati stubbornly think there way is the best.
+1 - it is very clear that Ducati do not know how to design a bike that can compete with Yamaha or Honda. They insist on an engine layout which no one else adopts and until this year a carbon frame which Yamaha have said would cause issues but yet Ducati stubbornly think there way is the best.
Joined Aug 2008
6K Posts | 748+
Thailand
Yes, but u r speaking to the demons in ur own mind 'cause no one has said OR believes that...
You all really don't know what are you talking about. Maybe a lack of memory or interesting in a not so long ago history. It's just insane how unfair some of you are.
Ducati can't and will never try to challenge Honda or Yamanha in their own game. They've repeated that many times (their own words, not mine).
Sometimes it seems people think Ducati is a God like company. It's almost impossible for such small company without know-how in V's engine, Inline engines, aluminum chassis, twin spars, whatever, they can't follow the paths of Honda or Yamaha with their budget. They know it, but people in general do not. And that is the reason Ducati always took its own way. They risk. They try to innovate. It's their only chance to beat the giants. It's obvious that it's very hard to come out, but eventually it can work, like it did in 2007. Yes, that time Ducati's own way of doing things plus bridgestone tires plus Stoner payed dividends. The GP7, although people changed their opinion, was the best bike in the grid, no matter Casey's skills. No rider on this planet can ever win a title in the ultra competitive MotoGP field without some advantages of his machine. Take this year as an example. Honda is a very good bike, the difference to the Yamaha is very small, but they aren't the best anymore. And what a difference that make, huh? Jorge is the winner in the Casey's land, Qatar. Now you can imagine the rest of the championship. In 2007, Ducati started to write their own softwares, replaced the default ECU and some stuff. Ducati had the edge in electronics to control a much more powerful engine (remember Rossi complaining about too much electronic aids? maybe some of you won't recall), what for that time was the best thing on the grid. The best machinery + a rider like Stoner it's all they needed to win a title.
Anyway, some guys need to think better about what they are saying about Ducati. Yes, their bike is crap today compared to Yamaha or Honda, but for a company the size of Ducati, the Desmosedici project winning a title in 2007 was a very, very brave conquest. In that time they were very smart, and who negates it is mad.
Forget about Ducati being a japanese bike. It won't happen. Never. That's insane, they can't do that. Maybe with a massive injection of money and a decade of work they can start to compete with the giants on their own game, but it won't happen overnight. Actually I doubt it will happen a day.
Ducati will continue in MotoGP, but from now on they will continuing trying to find a different path that can catch Honda or Yamaha, and I believe someday it'll work again. Unless, of course, Audi (Volks) buys the company and from there I don't know what to expect.
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
Maybe... But let us not forget that Suzuki and Kawasaki have done worse than Ducati in the MotoGP era, and eventually gave up. And they did not even have the excuse of trying to implement different/original concepts... That means, you can fail in present-day MotoGP even if you are pure Jap and follow pure Japanese design...
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
I think Suzuki and Kawasaki failed for the same reason. Lack of commitment to the sport. they neither one wanted to spend money to run at the front. They were there in name only. I have no doubt that either of them could be competitive if they committed to doing so.
I completely agree and most people who ride gixxers have no clue wtf GP is, it really isn't relevant to bike sales in the US.
I agree, and Ducati also have Marboro and without this backing they would not be in the field either.........
Very true Talps, and my suspicion is that without Rossi they will struggle when that time comes based on the assumption that many of the current sponsors want to be associated with the Rossi brand firstly.
Of course, if some other vibrant personality comes along that can garner the attention of the corporate world, who knows but in todays financial climate I dare say that once Ducati (Audi?) have to foot the bills then thinking may change at factory level.
Gaz
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
IS Rossi's mentality of the type to drag Ducati down with him as he goes?
Its looking like that ........ and its pretty ugly.
Its looking like that ........ and its pretty ugly.
Joined Jul 2011
1K Posts | 872+
Dont Know
Anyone think Johnny Rea would be a good match for the Ducati? He loves to spin it up, has an mx background. Arthur Sissis just needs a bit more time before he signs up to save Ducati.
http://www.speedway....ght-on-4-march/
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/motorsport/arthur-sissis-riding-high/story-e6frecuu-1225775771581
http://www.speedway....ght-on-4-march/
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/motorsport/arthur-sissis-riding-high/story-e6frecuu-1225775771581
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
There are 30 other guys who should be ahead of Rea for a MotoGP ride. Even on the undesirable Ducati. Rea has done very little except make spectacular errors...
Joined Jul 2011
1K Posts | 872+
Dont Know
Yeah I just like him, but results are not great. Rea reminds me of Stoner on the LCR Honda. Yes lots of crashes. Still look at his current team mate, ex Motogp rider is a long way behind him. I think Rossi has had enough, Ducati are going to have to take a risk with the next rider.
BTW Sissis the future Ducati star was running 3rd for a while in his first ever moto3 race and finished 7th, ahead of Rossi!
http://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2012/QAT/Moto3/RAC/worldstanding.pdf?v1_8d728fd5
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Both ....... and they were both stupid to enter into it.
Ducati's only chance is with another "cheap" but effective colonial.
Even West would be better than Rossi, but he's still not the guy.
Sissus is ...... because he would try.
It would also be important NOW for Ducati to terminate the relationship.
I agree, occasionally Rea does something impressive but i just don't think he's GP material at this point. I don't think Ducati will have much trouble recruiting riders despite their issues. Particularly if Nicky continues to operate at the front of the mid-pack.
It's going to be interesting watching them on the shorter tracks, no long straights to make up for ...... cornering, I think they'll get exposed even more.
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Apr 2011
1K Posts | 87+
Pangea
Ant West has done sweet FA and would do less than sweet FA on a Ducati.
Sissus is a talented kid but is a long way off of being competitive in MGP at present.
Having a "colonial" ride for them wont necessarily solve any of their issues either - they need to spend money on fixing the bike before they can attract another talented rider. Ducati have lost all credibility and trust with any potential star of the future....who wants to ride for them at present? Answer...NO ONE.
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