Your desires for future roadgoing Ducatis

Not going to tell you anymore....too hard on the pocketbook. There's a 1200R and a 90th anniversary I'm trying to figure out how to fit in financially....

Plus one for the V4 R here! It would need to keep the lightweight and slim feel of the Panigale to really tick all the boxes. I've been tempted by the RSV4 for the engine in particular but it lacks the Ducati ... appeal for me and would love to see something similar in Red.

Regarding the existing models I have no desire for anything bigger than 1299. It's certainly the right decision for the road and its made the 1299S a serious contender against the BMW where the 1199S was a little too raw. Whilst I loved the 1299 I did slightly notice the extra engine weight on fast direction changes and prefer the smaller engine of the new R which I went for instead.

One big problem that I don't know the best answer for is noise level. If the 1299S could get onto Brands Hatch and some of the other noise restricted UK and European tracks then I would swap my S1000RR in and be the proud owner of three Panigales. As it is I am better keeping the BMW because I have full power and no noise problems. At Spa last months I was losing 15mph on the straights because of the baffles I had to run on my 1199S termis. I'm not sure the 1199R would have even got on with stock cans that don't take baffles? I'm almost definite that it will not get onto Brands Hatch. All this said, I can't stand the look of the massive cans on the 959 so I'm very curious to see where the next 1299 will go with the euro 4 regs. Ducatis are supposed to be loud so it's a difficult situation.

My desires are for TJ and Ducati to continue interacting with their enthusiastic fans as they have been. Many other manufactures are scaling back on new models and going away from offering sporty machines in their lineups, while Ducati seems intent on growing the brand and appears to be enjoying record breaking success as a result.

So I guess I'm just saying kudos to TJ and I look forward to whatever exciting machines end up coming out of Italy.

But really.......Supercharged 2-stroke GP replica is what I'm saying =)

Maybe a street fighter, not toned down, just angry and r ready to annihilate the roads. Also maybe a v4 at some point. It would be interesting to see what you guys are capable of with that.

Really though, the monster R needs a quick shifter. I can see how it gives you the old school feel without it but it needs one. Also cruise on a monster 1200S would be a nice touch to see

i think i've posted it before...

TFSI V4... scaled down to 130kg. 220 horses.


si, per favore, grazie, bella macchina. forza ducati per sempre.

that's all i speak ...

As I mentioned in another thread, this is what I want....

A Middleweight bike based on the Panigale. With going to the 899 (then 959), it ruled the Ducati ineligible for MW/600cc/Supersport racing.

I have been really hoping the bump to 959 was done to create room for a new MW Panigale (749cc perhaps?).

BUT...I want it to be a 749S or 749R, not some bargain basement offering. In other words, come out with a MW homologation version with forged Marchesini's, quality Brembo Calipers, Ohlins suspension, up/down Quickshifter, etc. In other words, a MW version of my 1299S.

Myself and many other races would jump all over that bike. Of course there could also be a base model for street riding. But please put out a competitive MW with S/R level parts.

Aside from that, I would like to see a 1000cc V4 that is lightweight and narrow like the Panigale.

I love the power delivery/mechanical grip of my RSV4, but it is so...so...so heavy. The weight is in the motor and chassis, so even in race trim it is still very heavy. Both of them race prepped, my 1299S is probably 80lbs less than the RSV4, if not more.

b9009b said:

Hey TJ.


Take the 899 as it sits and add Mag wheels, full nix30 and ttxgp ohlins and a few other trick bits(some ti engine parts) and make it a right out the box package for insane street riding and track/race fun. That could all be had for around $17.5-18k USD ish lol.

Click to expand...

The thing is, it doesn't fit into any race categories. So it would be a complete waste. That stuff won't improve/change/speed up the street guys trip to Starbucks or the gym, and the bike doesn't fit into MW race classes. So there is no need in that.

I agree I want a MW bike that is an R/S, but it needs to have the appropriate cc's (either 749 or 799, whatever the rules allow). Bigger is better, so I would built it to the maximum cc's the rules allow for twins. If a 799 is legal, that would be awesome.

We need a baby Pani to compete with the ktm 390 in both street and race trim.

For the streets, I'm hoping for continued use of twins. Bigger displacement will ALWAYS give a better low/mid grunt. Although I'd understand a move to a 4cyl for racing purposes in order to get more top end. Just not a straight4.. Keep it V... And I absoltely love the monocoque chassis! THAT'S unique!

Chaotic said:

Aside from that, I would like to see a 1000cc V4 that is lightweight and narrow like the Panigale.

I love the power delivery/mechanical grip of my RSV4, but it is so...so...so heavy. The weight is in the motor and chassis, so even in race trim it is still very heavy. Both of them race prepped, my 1299S is probably 80lbs less than the RSV4, if not more.

Click to expand...

I'm struggling to get excited by my S1000RR that I got to complement the Panigale and often look at alternatives. The RSV4 was near the top of my list as something I wanted to try after borrowing a friends new Tuono for a few hours, but I was quite surprised at how heavy it was. The sound and power delivery of the V4 is amazing and I'd love to have a Ducati with a V4 but as you say it would definitely have to tick the lightweight and narrow boxes that the Panigale has for me to look at getting one.

TurboLag said:

For the streets, I'm hoping for continued use of twins. Bigger displacement will ALWAYS give a better low/mid grunt. Although I'd understand a move to a 4cyl for racing purposes in order to get more top end. Just not a straight4.. Keep it V... And I absoltely love the monocoque chassis! THAT'S unique!

Click to expand...

I really hope the displacement does not increase as I notice the difference in the 1299 over the 1199 already. I reckon the 1299 is perfect for the road and the 1199 perfect for the track as it is. I guess if the weight stayed the same then I could stomach a displacement increase but it's not that likely is it?

royal said:

I'm struggling to get excited by my S1000RR that I got to complement the Panigale and often look at alternatives. The RSV4 was near the top of my list as something I wanted to try after borrowing a friends new Tuono for a few hours, but I was quite surprised at how heavy it was. The sound and power delivery of the V4 is amazing and I'd love to have a Ducati with a V4 but as you say it would definitely have to tick the lightweight and narrow boxes that the Panigale has for me to look at getting one.

Click to expand...

There are 2 MAJOR problems with the RSV4. I mean bad enough that I will never purchase another one until they are remedied....

1. The weight.

It is way too heavy. And like I said, it is all in the chassis and motor. The frame and swingarm are way too damn big and bulky.

I turned my personal best at JenningsGP in Florida on the RSV4 (1:16.9), but I cannot describe the effort it took to muscle it around the tight/technical back section. It was insane. There is no way I could maintain that pace for race distance (I did that lap time in a situation where I put on new tires specifically to go out and attempt a PB lap time).

2. Fueling.

Unlike other bikes where the injectors overlap at the swap from lowers to uppers, on the RSV4 the lowers completely stop spraying and the uppers start. That transition can be felt at race pace, so much so that it upsets the chassis. My tuner has spent hours trying to get rid of it. The only fix was to change the gearing so that I stayed above 7.5k RPM all the time.

It can only be remedied with a Marelli/Motec type of electronics system that lets you control the injectors.

Until they come out with a ground-up redesign that addresses those 2 issues, I will never own another one.

I think I've seen some of your other posts describing the fueling issues somewhere, that and particularly the weight is enough to put me right off the idea of getting one. I would like to experiment with being able to adjust the chassis setup though. The adjustable swingarm on the R is something I'm looking forward to messing around with.

3 things for me..

1. V4 that still measures up to Ducati standards. (lightweight, power, performance etc.)
2. Something to compete with the KTM RC390. Street version and track version preferrably.
3. MW Pani to compete in supersport classes with a focus on performance/competition out of the box.

**Pie in the sky.. Full track version of the Pani like KTM did with the RC8R?

Flagship bike no matter what engine layout (V2 or V4)

DVT
DSG or seamless Transmission (eletro shifter either foot or handle bar operated)
Wet/Sport/Race modes change engine mapping rather than just Throttle.
Fix low down fuelling!!!! (you can use the UPmap to unlock the OEM map to one which works not just for enviro compliance)
Mobile apps which connect to bike like the DDS/GPS system and the new Upmap system app
Launch Control (adjustable)
Pit lane limiter
Cruise Control standard!!!
Less faulty conpontants (brake MC's, Fork forks, Clutch slave cyclinders, Water pumps)


-New 749 type bike so we can race in the 600cc (what ever they call that in your own countries)

-899/959 type bikes to come more like the 1299 base. SSSAm TFN and up/down shift would of made the 959 a killer bike for same money

-Supersport bike

-Motard which is around the 450-600 range. The current motards are awsome but cant enter in any races due to size.

Easier access to Genuine Corse parts

I wouldn't be too sad if they change over to a V4, means I'd own the last L-twin Superbike from Ducati .
But If they decide to do the V4 route, I'd say do a similar thing with the current Panigales... a 1000cc V4 'R' model for racing homologation purposes, and a 1200cc V4 for their base and 'S' models, the increased size to make up for the lack of torque 4 cylinders tend to have. There was that rumor of Norton developing a 1200cc V4 superbike, Ducati could follow suite.

Also some more...

Direct Fuel injection

Integrated Indicators into headlight or at lease not in the mirrors

Forced Induction is becoming the in thing at the moment. It wouldnt be to great on the V2 but maybe on the V4

996 or 998 Limited Re-release. Updated with modern technology

750 class of 4 cylinder bikes allows for 999 cylinder V2's. If the 959 grows up to become a 999ish CC bike that could be exciting. After they exhaust the V2 999 idea, they can play with the idea of a 750cc V4 and a 1000cc V4 ; )

Otherwise things I'd like:
- electronically adjustable/adaptive suspension
- adaptive/better headlights
- a seat that doesn't disown my future generations, rerouted exhaust pipes back under seat to comply with Euro 4 in an integrated aesthetic design instead of this created on the fly shotgun exhaust...
- launch control, DI fueling

There's not much I want changed otherwise.

shakazulu12 said:

My desires are for TJ and Ducati to continue interacting with their enthusiastic fans as they have been. Many other manufactures are scaling back on new models and going away from offering sporty machines in their lineups, while Ducati seems intent on growing the brand and appears to be enjoying record breaking success as a result.

So I guess I'm just saying kudos to TJ and I look forward to whatever exciting machines end up coming out of Italy.

But really.......Supercharged 2-stroke GP replica is what I'm saying =)

Click to expand...

Thank you Shaka. I should be clear and say that as far as the interaction, I've always been here on my own accord, i.e. not in an official capacity.

Reason being that I personally believe it is vital for anyone involved in product development to be as closely connected as possible to customers. And I don't get out of the office to speak with people, nearly as much as I'd like. So I view forums as a great source of information from a group of, generally, very informed, intelligent, and influential customers (you guys). Not everyone shares my opinion, but hey, they're entitled to be wrong

Anyway with that said, I have something to share with you all. This is my last week with Ducati. I'll be moving shortly to do product development at another motorcycle OEM. I thank you all for what you've shared with me here, and I hope you've found our interaction valuable as well. I haven't been able to spend a ton of time here of course but I've tried to contribute useful information especially where I saw there was a big need.

I'll still come around here from time to time, as having been at one time or another the PM for the SL, Pani, Hyper, Diavel, and Streetfighter lines I will always feel a connection to those bikes. Plus I'll want to see everyone's reactions to the cool stuff that I know is in Ducati's future plans.

To save everyone the trouble of asking, NO I absolutely will not reveal anything about what those plans are, even after I've left - I have too much respect for my colleagues and friends who are working very hard on those projects to make them come to life. But I will tell you all that you have a lot to look forward to, it's a great time to be a motorcyclist and a Ducatista.

So, yeah. Back to work now for me, trying to close out everything before I leave my desk for good on friday. It's been a wild ride to say the least but one I'll never forget (kind of like the Panigale, then).

Cheers guys!!