[13630]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

Undoubtedly the worst Photoshopped picture I have seen this year - it looks like they took the original racebike pictures, added in some fake sky and pavement, and digitally slapped a license plate/taillight (an ugly one at that) on it. It doesn't even have front turnsignals!

On a related note, if they can make a V-4 streetbike that sells, more power to 'em. But it would be the biggest mistake they could make to abandon their own unique V-Twin heritage (IMHO).

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

I agree. Harley's V-Rod isn't exactly flying out the doors of dealerships.

Do you think even if Ducati made a 4 cylinder the KPauls of the world (godforbid there's more than one!) would buy one?

 

[417]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

Thing is its a bit like cheese - these things take time. Just remember what Ducati sold before they made twins - singles. Now who was saying then don't make a twin its abandoning the heritage blah blah blah. Likewise the first Hondas were singles. They seem to have done quite well out of bikes with more cylinders since. Remember 1969 and the first CB750. Who said damn its not a twin? I am sure if Ducati launched a four and it was a good machine it will sell, particularly if its faster than the twins. They might not sell them in large numbers straight away but they gain heritage through time, not overnight.

 

[john]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

man, if you look through their past, Fabio Taglioni himself designed a 1000cc V4, and tried to make the Apollo. IT never made it past production, but even the man who started the famed Vtwin heritage was never limited to just twins.

Taglioni, BTW is the creator of ducatis desmodromic valvetrain.

But seriously, if you listen to ducati....RACING is their heritage, not a Vtwin. They should make a V4 to be TRUE to their heritage.

 

[KPaulCook]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

I would absolutely buy one. Heck if they put lights on the beautiful MotoGP bike it would sell better than the ugly 999.

 

[KPaulCook]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

As much as I love inline 4s, I think the V-4, because it is narrower may be the best racing configuration. I think Honda proved this a while go right longride??? Say good bye to the ugly 999 (the Edsel of sportbikes) hello to future.

 

[john]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

shorter crank too, so less resistant to turning then you get with an inline 4. that is one of the reasons the FX bikes corner slower than the superbikes......crankshaft weight and inertia is a *****.

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

Who styled the MotoGP bike? It certainly is a gorgeous piece of machinery.

 

[longride]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

I think a v-6 or possibly even a v-8 would be the best racing configuration. You complain loudly about rules that give twins and advantage over fours, but you never have anything to say about rules giving fours an advantage over a 6 or and 8. Simply put, the Japanese are in love with fours because past and present rules favor that configuration. If the rules were open for the last 30 years, we would see v-6 and possibly v-8 configurations ruling racing.

 

[3917]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

You need to change with the times or die. Everyone lives the 1000CC class and four cylnder motors. As a person who loves VTwins I don't expect Ducati to give up the twin but I believe you'll see a line of V4's. Personally can't wait for Honda to produce the V5. Maybe with this V4 craze Honda will bring back the RC45.

 

[21072]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

V-Twin or no, Ducati is first and foremost a company that lives and breathes racing. In the past, Superbike rules allowed Ducati to develop its V-Twin to the point of dominance. The rules in place this year in World Superbike as well as in AMA Superbike (not that Ducati ever dominated there), make it rather plain that 1000cc four cylinder machines are the way to go. It will be no suprise when Ducati debuts its four cylinder 1000 cc machine, rather another example of Ducati doing what it has to in order to remain competitive.

 

[SilverBullet]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

Didn't you forget to add that they also have to price it about the same as your Kawasaki?

 

[bwarbiany23]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

I'd love to see Ducati give us a V4 for the road... That being said, I think it would be a true superbike, not a standard road-going bike.

A V4 is better than a V-Twin for racing, because it has a definite horsepower advantage, and better than an I-4 because of it's more compact and narrow design (and smaller/lighter crankshaft).

But I think for the majority of streetbikes, a V-Twin is a better engine configuration because of the low-end torque and the fact that you don't have to rev the nuts off it to get any power. I wouldn't expect to see Ducati change their monsters or their sport-tourers over to a V4, but for a homologated bike for WSB, it'd be great...

Full disclosure here though, I ride an SV650, so I'm a little biased to the V-Twins

 

[Pain_Seraphiin]

One woman is not Enough!

I am sooooo pro V-twin. I know own a 2002 VFR Interceptor, v-four. Doooh!

But I love the variety of engines configurations and styles of bikes. God, someday I may even buy a Harley (butt puckers). But seriously, if I had the bucks, I would have a Harely cruiser, a BMW K1200, Triumph 955I, Ducati 900SP, MotoGuzzi 1100 (forget name) and.............

a friggin Honda Goldwing!

How could anyone be satisfied with just one woman?!?!?!

 

[13630]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

The difference is:

1. When they started making twins they had only made singles for about five years or so, so they hadn't built up a history with singles.

2. You can't compare Honda with Ducati because their strategies are totally different - it's like comparing Ferrari with Toyota.

Besides, people don't buy Ducatis just because they are fast - the Japanese streetbikes have been and will probably always be faster than Ducatis. People buy it because it's a Ducati, and a large part of being a Ducati is being a twin.

They can build up heritage with a V-4 over time, but it will be tough. If they made them both simultaneously I think it would be a good move.

 

[BBD_Racing]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

The survival or death of V Twin sportbikes rests entirely in the hands of the race sanctioning bodies. There exists only one chance for twins to survive: open engine displacement. The 1000cc Twins will eventually be destroyed by the 1000cc fours. A 1200cc Twin might have a chance.

It is high time for the sanctioning bodies to stop with the random displacement regulations and leave the top classes (GP and SBK) wide open concerning engines. We'll see smooth turbo 600 twins and booming 1200 twins to go along with screaming blown 500 fours and roaring fours.

End the boredom, release the manufactuers to be creative!

 

[rsheidler]

Re: One woman is not Enough!

Couldn't agree more. My list would include Sophia Loren, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cameren Diaz, either (or both) of the Williams sisters, Lauren Bacall, Julia Roberts, Katja Poensgen, Tina Turner......

 

[rsheidler]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

My guess is that if they DO make a V4 street bike, they would continue to make the twins as well -- much like BMW continues with the boxer twins (which have a much longer heritage than even the V-twin Ducati) following the introduction of the inline 4 K-series.

 

[13630]

Re: Ducati V4 Streetbike

I think BMW at one time was thinking of doing away with the Boxer... I'll bet they're glad that plan never came to fruition.

 

[13630]

Re: One woman is not Enough!

I dunno, I think that if I had Catherine Zeta-Jones I would be pretty satisfied...