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EICMA Motorcycle Show - Day 0 Ducati (13 photos) |
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File under Exhibitions Ducati
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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Ducati started the press conference dance with cocktails. Good way, feed 'em, get'em drunk, and then tell your story.
TVs, Hot food, lots of booze....
They had two motorcycles on static display, the new HyperMotard, and the Desmo. More about the HyperMotard later.
The press conference was opened by Francesco Rapisarda, Director of Communications. He was quickly followed by THE BOSS:
Frederico Minoli, CEO of Ducati started his speech about turning Ducati around. During the expensive US$, it was a very difficult time for the Italian firm. They decided to invest for the future, while keeping their core values.
They eventually reached a good financial base, on which they are now building a solid future.
Miloni wants that whenever in the world a Ducati is in front of a streetlight, the Ducati will have the most power and performance to win any drag, and brakes to match.
Ducati have reduced their cost by 50%, making their products cheaper to develop. But it remains a difficult fight; Ducati produce some 40,000 motorcycles per year, compared to Honda's 9 Million ! But still they beat Honda at their own MotoGP race track.
Next was Claudio Domenicali, Director of Product Development, ie, the man in charge of making sexy products.
He started with the HyperMotard, 1100 cc, 2 valves. 2 versions will be available, the normal and the S version.
The engine develops 95 hp, weights 180 kg (178 for the S) dry, uses a dry clutch, and most surprising, they have doubled the service intervals to 12,000 Kms !
The motorcycle is a two seater, but one seat can be totally removed, without any trace !
He then introduced the two main engineers who dreamed up this fantastic motorcycle.
The normal version will be available May 2007, the S version during April 2007 (The S has a lot of carbon fibers).
Then came the moment most people were waiting for:
The new Ducati 1098 was presented. It slowly turned towards the audience, receiving a standing ovation !
The motorcycles are again visibly slightly different, a normal version and a S version.
The design team were introduced. Frame, engine and electrical dream team in action.
Then one of two test riders were introduced. This man did most of the test, and said he loved the motorcycle. He felt totally in line with his bike.
Then the 2nd test rider was introduced:
None other than Loris Capirossi. He stated that the motorcycle is incredible, and totally beautiful !
The 1098 will have a full data acquisition system, than is stored in a special 2 Gbyte USB Flash Memory stick. Unplug the stick, plug it in your computer (USB port), and analyze 2.5 hours of data !!
The display, is fully digital, and comes from the MotoGP bike. In fact, it's as good as identical. Controls for the display are on the left handle.
The bike has lost a lot of weight (5 kgs less), and increased its power (160 hp @ 9750). According to Domenicali "Power is like money, you can never get enough".
The rev limiter is set to 10,700, and you get 12.5 Kgm @8,000 rpm. Weight is 173 or 171 Kgs for the S (dry weight).
Service is also every 12,000 kms....
Availability: Dec 2006, so start saving your Pennies.
No press kits were available, I should get them tomorrow. Here's a last view of the press conference:
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