This looks supercool to me, even tho' i'm not a biker http://www.thefloatingrock.com/Ducati_Sport1000.htm
Isn't that one of the three "retro"-inspired bikes they are now committed to producing? I saw the mock-ups at the NY bike show last year, along with the original models that inspired them. If i remember correctly, they are not producing all three designs initially, but will gradually roll out the full line.
Yep, that's one of them. There will be a 750SS inspired bike (A Paul Smart replica if I remember right?) , the Sport, and a GT. I'm finishing up a rebuild of a '74 GT right now, so I was very interested to see these bikes. The Sport was my favorite of the bunch, but i decided not to put a deposit down on one due to the long lead time. I'll wait until they're actually being built and I can see one in the flesh...
English magazine "Bike" gave the '05 Ducati 999 its top rating in the latest issue. Appears that Emilia-Romagna is the epi-center for all that is good in both the two and four wheeled world....
I was actually a little surprised they ended up making the GT, it doesn't have the good looks of the other two at all. The Sport and PS replica both look great, but I wonder how much appeal they will actually have being slightly overpriced (IMO) and monoposto. They may sell a couple thousand like the MH900e, but that wil be about it. The MH900e, while being a very cool bike in the flesh has a limited appeal and is depreciating. For the MSRP of a Sport you could nearly buy a perfect restored bike from '74. For me that would be more desirable, just like the Mike Hailwood Replicas compared to the MH900e. I wonder what they will have as a retro model next, perhaps an DarmahSS or F1 Evoluzione?
I never really like the 749/999 as 2003-04 models, there was just something missing that I couldn't put my finger on. The new 2005 models with different swingarm, black exhaust cover, new rear seat, and revised front end look 100% better than the original. That the 999 now has significantly more power I'm sure doesn't hurt as well. 2005 will be known as one of the great model years for Ducati. They have the improved 749/999. The baby Multistrada and high-end Multi-S model. The S4R monster is joined by a budget 800cc S2R that actually looks better than the water-cooled S4R. The desmosedici strada will hopefully be shown before year's end as well. Just about every model in the lineup is highly desirable based on differing criteria of price, appearance, or performance. For years I've wanted an MV F4, but after seeing the '05 999 in the flesh, I dunno. The gloss black 999 biposto is one bad mofo.
The GT actually has a lot of fans amongst the vintage crowd (but I'm not one of them). I don't think the lack of a passenger seat will hurt sales at all on the other bikes, a lot of Ducati owners find solo seats to be more desirable than dual seats anyway. I know I do, to the point that I bought a 996 over a 748 because they weren't building the 748 I wanted with a solo seat. Restored '74 Sports are going up in price... and then there's the added "comittment" it takes to own/ride one. I don't think it will come down to one vs the other for most potential buyers anyway though. I've heard rumors and seen a photo of an F1 remake. Not sure if it was photoshopped or not, but it looked pretty good. Speaking of the S2R... I just bought my plane tickets this morning to go to Italy for the 2005 Moto Giro d'Italia. I''ve requested an S2R as my rental bike for the event! Should be a good time.
The Smart bike wasn't all that fast. Those special bikes were essentially hand built at the factory, although they denied it. A friend of mine, Steve Wynne, from England, built the Hailwood bikes, and from the frame to the basic engine casting those were special. Having said that, Cook Neilson's California Special was faster than Hailwood's bike. The one that I rode, although it was several years later, was even faster. Still being riden on the Vintage circuit, I'm told. The basic engine was pretty good, to say the least. I'm getting an opportunity to ride a 999R in Feb at Buttonwillow, should be fun. Art
the new sport looks very cool! i like it...i'll take two!!! lol!!! btw, i would love to see an f-1b re-make. that would be a bike i would really like to own. pcb
art when you compare to the rapp bike...it may dissappoint? di you end up loaning the bike to chris u.? i have not heard you mention it for some time. hope you are well art! best, pcb
it looks so very "ducati" when compared to the 999. i think the 998 is much better penned than the 999. i have a 748 race bike ... i love how she looks!!
This thread has a poor pic of an F1 remake. I can't find the original pic... http://speedzilla.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=31274
thanks craig...i love that new f-1!! that is really sexy!! i still remember seeing the first one in 1985...it was out of this world. i really think i will get the new bike when offered.
