Bad news and Good News

[slob]

Originally Posted by slob

If anyone has any questions about Ducati’s choice to pursue this technical direction let me know. i’ve been invited to an online meeting on the subject, so can forward on any questions you have.

I logged on to the meeting yesterday, basically we got the information from the link in the OP presented by Nicolo Antonelli (Marketing Dept, not #23) and Stefano Tarabusi (Product Manager) with the opportunity to ask questions.

They stressed that the design process was entirely engineering led, remember Domenicali is an engineer by trade.

The V4 was chosen for its adaptabilty. Note 'Multistrada' means Many roads. When riding off road at very low speeds you want a smooth motor at low revs, in a way that V twins aren't, The configuration of the V4 gives this, along with punchy V2 like mid-range and sportsbike type performance at higher revs.

The spring rather than Desmo choice was prompted by trying to extend service intervals, since this is what they think high mileage adventure riders want from the product. 60K Km is at least double what the competition offers at the moment, When challenged 'why not get a Aprilia then?' they pointed out that the service interval there is 20K Km. I've ridden a V4S Pani' on track and an Aprilia RSV4 Factory, as well as most of the Jap litre offerings, on the road, and frankly there's no comparison. Although The V4S is Desmo and revs to ~15K, the larger capacity Granturismo revs to 10.5K and makes about 40BHP less.
They will still be offering the V2 Multistrada, alongside the V4 if that's what you want.

They also stress that Desmo rather than springs will still be used in sports/race bikes going forward as it's still the right solution for ultimate performance.

They suggested, when asked, that there was no particular emissions advantage with traditional valve train per se. The rear cylinder ‘cut’ when stationary is purely to avoid cooking your backside, any reduced emissions are incidental.

They also talked about the sound of the bike. The offset crank gives it a twin-like rumble but they've made it quiet enough that you won't have a headaches all evening after repeated 800Km days.
Also they did static noise tests that come in at under 95dB, which is the strictest Italian limit (Sudtyrol region).

We talked a little about the Radar (the units themselves look the same as Audi's A3)
Which are forward facing: for adaptive cruise control, with software suitably modified to ensure the rider still gets full control and won't get tied in knots of someone swerves in front of you while the bike's leaned over. Rear facing: which will light a warning in your mirrors if someone gets in your blind spot.

Whether the Granturismo motor would find its way into other models and the trellis frame question were beyond the scope of the talk, although clearly the possibility of using the motor elsewhere is there, after all they've invested around 3 years in developing it.

The official bike launch for the V4 Multistrada will be on 4th November.

[Luddite]

Interesting. Thanks for that, Rob.

[slob]

So sure the answer to that one is no, I’m not even going to ask.

[Dirty]

Dammit, I'll have to buy one!!

You say that but a YouTuber I follow was given an Audi RS free for six months, and he's even allowed to mod it!

[Dirty]

The world has changed massively. People make a living from playing video games.

[slob]

If you have two million (slack jawed, snowflake) instagram followers, you can ask them yourself ;-)

I can't even crack 30 followers

[Dirty]

Got 2k twitter followers. maybe they'll lend me an Audi T shirt?

[stopintime]

Given that the race bikes keep it, I 'regret' to say it's not a big image problem. The image of Ducatis as sporty bikes is based on (mostly) quite old victories, supported by sound and design. The factory and we, the Ducatisti, are brilliant at keeping the 'Ferrari of motorcycles' idea alive - for a loooong time after it was deserved (if it ever was).
So, our image will survive the last few years of combustion engines.

In the electric future, Ducati can re-launch a Desmodromic "inverter" on their e-bikes - thus starting the story all over again. First mentioned by flounder Stu at http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/in...?topic=78464.0

[Uncle Bob]

It’s a real shame that this kind of exclusive attitude still exists in biking. Judging another motorcyclist because they turn up their trousers and have a beard rather than scraping their oily fingernails across the tarmac? Literally everything about owning any kind of motorcycle is a lifestyle choice.

Personally, if I can have a bike that has 40k service intervals and still gives me the same feeling as my Ducatis have then I’ll be a happy bunny.

[Dirty]

It's a real shame that having an opinion seems to upset so many people today. Saying 'their loss' isn't 'judging' or exclusive. My whole point is 'they are young, let them do whatever they want to, like I did'. That's as far from 'judging' as it gets. Am I supposed to like it and join in as well? Am I obliged to think it's as rewarding as other things? Are all things equal now, no winners, no losers, well done cupcake you tried!
And I call bull on everything about owning a bike is lifestyle. Nothing about my bike ownership is a lifestyle choice. It's simply one of many hobbies. I have many similar friends who just happen to own bikes and also many for who biking is a lifestyle. Some even have beards and turn their trousers up. They also have a soh

No one is against 40k service intervals. It's not obligatory to even change your own oil, I don't anymore. But I could if I wanted to...

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Dirty

It's a real shame that having an opinion seems to upset so many people today.

Doesn’t it just

The irony lol

[Dirty]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

The irony lol

Yes, your own

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Dirty

Yes, your own

Ok fella, whatever you say