Who is excited about the Ducati V4?

BenF04 said:

Please can someone with photoshop skill put the gold wheels from the Anniversario on the Speciale ? Just want to see what that looks like..

Click to expand...

gold lipstick on a pig.

jarelj said:

USA Prices:

Panigale V4 - $21,195 MSRP

Panigale V4S - $26,995 MSRP

Panigale V4 Speciale - $39,995 MSRP

Click to expand...

12 and 13 hundred price increase. Incredible. Are you sure you wanted twice your offered wholesale. These prices are well above the tops of the Superbike competition.

Been around Ducati’s long? Ducati’s have always been priced well above the competition.

Thanks for all the Info Jarelj!

I really hope that the bike is more convincing in person than it is in the pics. On that note- I just don't get the sense that there's a horde of guys eager to run out and hop on the V4, so the limited availability won't really be an issue.... In comparison when the 1199 or the 1098 launched it's fair to say it was love at first sight for everyone especially us loyalists.
With the V4 it's a bit of a different story I'm afraid. In spite of being technically astounding, many folks can't help but to compare it to it's better looking predecessor, which still offers world class performance by any objective measure. Time will tell how successful the bike will be, but for the moment we're all sensing just how crucial "Design" is to a Ducati Superbike
#999lessonslearned.....

Gold wheels and PS might take a while, however as posted elsewhere, this is the direction I might be going in with a V4S. Akra exhaust, SL style/derived paintwork and a colour matched black frame (means taking the bike to bits...again. Just as I did with both the 1199 & 1299, where I colour matched or rather Cerakoted the airbox/frame and swingarms in magnesium).

Looks like the rear wheel wont clear that akra stubby for quick trackday changes
anymore. So its probably stubby on and off all the time. Poor design a la MTS.

jarelj said:

I don't have any studio pics yet, but here's one from the EICMA show:

Click to expand...

Thanks Jarel for doing this kinda stuff for us.

You said the exhaust was asymmetrical but I didn't understand until you posted a pic.

sometimes when I look at the bike I think bimota don't know why.

I don't think the looks are that bad I keep telling myself it is just different enough to distinguish itself from the L2.

V4 Speciale sounds good

[youtube]gpV-bDUVbdU[/youtube]

990Glen said:

Looks like the rear wheel wont clear that akra stubby for quick trackday changes
anymore. So its probably stubby on and off all the time. Poor design a la MTS.

Click to expand...

I don't think so, looked to me like it would come off with the exhaust in place when I saw it at the dealer conference. You won't pull is straight off, just angle it a little bit probably. Won't know for sure until it's here.

AmpForE said:

12 and 13 hundred price increase. Incredible. Are you sure you wanted twice your offered wholesale. These prices are well above the tops of the Superbike competition.

Click to expand...

So what you're saying is Ducati has lost their way by pricing their bikes too high?? Wow, never heard that one before. Some of us remember when the Ducati was nearly double the price of the competition, and we still bought them.

Market dictates the price


Economics 101

topolino said:

V4 Speciale sounds good

[youtube]gpV-bDUVbdU[/youtube]

Click to expand...

I am not sure if the video is doing the sound justice. I was expecting a deep, throaty tone like the RSV4 and the video makes the Panigale V4 sound raspy and high pitched. Sound preference is subjective because people think the V2 Panigale sounds good when I think it sounds like a lawnmower.

CaliRosso said:

Thanks for all the Info Jarelj!

I really hope that the bike is more convincing in person than it is in the pics. On that note- I just don't get the sense that there's a horde of guys eager to run out and hop on the V4, so the limited availability won't really be an issue.... In comparison when the 1199 or the 1098 launched it's fair to say it was love at first sight for everyone especially us loyalists.
With the V4 it's a bit of a different story I'm afraid. In spite of being technically astounding, many folks can't help but to compare it to it's better looking predecessor, which still offers world class performance by any objective measure. Time will tell how successful the bike will be, but for the moment we're all sensing just how crucial "Design" is to a Ducati Superbike
#999lessonslearned.....

Click to expand...

Well, I wouldn't compare this to the 999, it's almost the opposite really. The 999 was a radical and complete redesign that changed the entire perception of the bike, a perception that most found negative. In this case, Ducati decided they wanted to have an "evolution" of the Panigale showcasing the new engine and performance package, and they didn't radically change the look of the bike, it still looks similar to the 1299 in total. Not everyone will be happy they didn't change the look, but in the end it isn't going to alter the course of things, it's just a momentary judgement.

I think you're overestimating the instant appeal of the 1199, that's not how it was in reality. When spy shots were out, and the bike was unveiled at EICMA, it was a constant barrage of critics out on the forums about disappointment at the loss of the undertail exhaust, the loss of the dry clutch, the "japanese" look of the bike, etc. Even the Superquadro engine was taking fire for the loss of the hallmark Ducati trait of strong midrange torque, now it's a "screamer", no better than a Japanese bike, etc. I still remember all of that, that's why every time this happens AGAIN, I just let the water roll off my back and keep going forward as a Ducatista.

The 1098 was the bike that was received as you stated, universally praised, people couldn't wait to see it, there were tears in the eyes of the dealers during the unveiling at the dealer show in 2006, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience probably. We're not likely to ever have that again. It was the lull created by the 999 that made that possible.

jarelj said:

So what you're saying is Ducati has lost their way by pricing their bikes too high?? Wow, never heard that one before. Some of us remember when the Ducati was nearly double the price of the competition, and we still bought them.

Click to expand...

This is why I figured he hasn't been around Ducati long.

Twistedracer said:

This is why I figured he hasn't been around Ducati long.

Click to expand...

Some of us have been going down the wrong path for a very long time.....

AmpForE said:

12 and 13 hundred price increase. Incredible. Are you sure you wanted twice your offered wholesale. These prices are well above the tops of the Superbike competition.

Click to expand...

R models at one point used to be $40k like 10 years ago. That money is probably $45-$50k in today's market. While $40k might be a lot for a sportbike, the latest tech and everything else that comes with a premier model is justifiable by many that can and some who even can't afford it. The same can be said about cars but again, people will still spend the cash n will be able to justify the price. Things may not be numbered or even a collectible but they will still sell because there are plenty of people who want the latest n greatest. If I was in the market, I'd definitely consider the tricolore V4 over the base or S. While it may be $13k or so more, red is too simple n boring for my taste and I'd be able to justify the difference in price simply because it is different n stands out. Plus, I've got an MV RC. They would match ☺

How long before the inevitable 1299 v V4 v RSV4 magazine tests come out?

I'll wait to order one until I have ridden it. I really hope it has a strong midrange as I ride mostly on the road with a few track days a year. I bought an 1199 without test riding one and was really disappointed on the first ride with the lack of midrange compared to the 1098. Lesson learned.

The pics make the bike seem much taller than the RSV4 - again, I'll wait until I see it to make my mind up. I want to like it though

double0 said:

R models at one point used to be $40k like 10 years ago. That money is probably $45-$50k in today's market. While $40k might be a lot for a sportbike, the latest tech and everything else that comes with a premier model is justifiable by many that can and some who even can't afford it. The same can be said about cars but again, people will still spend the cash n will be able to justify the price. Things may not be numbered or even a collectible but they will still sell because there are plenty of people who want the latest n greatest. If I was in the market, I'd definitely consider the tricolore V4 over the base or S. While it may be $13k or so more, red is too simple n boring for my taste and I'd be able to justify the difference in price simply because it is different n stands out. Plus, I've got an MV RC. They would match ☺

Click to expand...

jarelj said:

So what you're saying is Ducati has lost their way by pricing their bikes too high?? Wow, never heard that one before. Some of us remember when the Ducati was nearly double the price of the competition, and we still bought them.

Click to expand...

Lol,

Pricing models is what I do for one of the big six, and my background is is Econ. I know my customers, and admittedly, you know your customs better that I know your customers.

But like I said, I can afford the new models, all of them, but I'm beginning to scratch my head as to why I'd pay that much when there are equally competent alternatives. I guess the future will tell us the most after the launch sales have faded, and the competition reacts to this latest iteration from Ducati.

jarelj said:

I think you're overestimating the instant appeal of the 1199, that's not how it was in reality. When spy shots were out, and the bike was unveiled at EICMA, it was a constant barrage of critics out on the forums about disappointment at the loss of the undertail exhaust, the loss of the dry clutch, the "japanese" look of the bike, etc. Even the Superquadro engine was taking fire for the loss of the hallmark Ducati trait of strong midrange torque, now it's a "screamer", no better than a Japanese bike, etc. I still remember all of that, that's why every time this happens AGAIN, I just let the water roll off my back and keep going forward as a Ducatista.

Click to expand...

I remember all this exactly, and I remember not being totally enchanted with the 1199 until I saw mine in person. Why is the shock hanging out there? Why is the tail so short?

I had an 848 previously and unfortunately totaled it in September 2011, so I was looking for a new bike just in time for the 1199 to come out. First, I was gonna get another 848, then I decided to look at leftover 1198s. I looked at a BMW too, but didn't fit well on it (tank was way too wide) and didn't like the build quality (everyone complained about all the "cheap plastic" on the 1199, but the BMW was covered with it). Friend of mine was buying at the same time too, and started thinking about an 1199. He went for it, then ended up convincing me to go with one too. Couldn't be happier, in retrospect. The bike is lighter and nimbler than my 848 ever was, the engine was smooth and powerful, sounded great, and was fast. What else do you want?

Well, for me, a V4 superbike. Why? Because of GP, I guess. The sound of those V4s running around Indy was intoxicating. To me the configuration just screams "race bike". So I'll get one. Not this year, as having 3 kids in the past 2 years has put a damper on discretional spending, but in the next couple years, absolutely.