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Ductalk: What's Up In The World Of Ducati
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Ductalk: What's Up In The World Of Ducati
Ducati News Roundup Curated by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
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Rescooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net from Ductalk: What's Up In The World Of Ducati |
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Where does Nicky Hayden fit in 2013? His Ducati option is expired and he is free to talk to other teams, other series or, stay right where he is at if the moon and the stars align. He takes with him a large fan base, many of whom are in the USA. So the question is, if Nicky Hayden isn’t on a factory GP bike, is Ducati changing focus from the American market?
How Ducati has arrived at this crossroads is clear and no question it’s complicated. There’s a saying in racing – “The first person you have to beat is your own team mate”. Well that’s not ideal if your team mate is the #1 rider on the Ducati Corse team and among a small handful of the most powerful men in motorcycle racing. In a year where Valentino Rossi wasn’t backed into an obvious professional corner things might be different and Nicky Hayden might have remained under the protective favor of VR46. But this year Valentino Rossi had enough to worry about and that left Nicky Hayden exposed. From a team perspective, with only so many spaces on factory bikes possible, Rossi approaching the end of his motorcycle racing career, it’s clear a younger future must be considered. Adding to the complication is the unfortunate fact that just about every gold standard rider’s contract expired this year. Decisions that might have waited until 2013 became 2012 issues. If they don’t get it right this year next year’s crop of available riders to pick from will be sparse. Finally, Rossi wields the Italian press like a bat to communicate what he wants from Ducati. Looking for balance in the garage to the largeness of superstar Rossi may have been the final straw.
To read the rest click HERE
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Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
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Where does Nicky Hayden fit in 2013? His Ducati option is expired and he is free to talk to other teams, other series or, stay right where he is at if the moon and the stars align. He takes with him a large fan base, many of whom are in the USA. So the question is, if Nicky Hayden isn’t on a factory GP bike, is Ducati changing focus from the American market?
How Ducati has arrived at this crossroads is clear and no question it’s complicated. There’s a saying in racing – “The first person you have to beat is your own team mate”. Well that’s not ideal if your team mate is the #1 rider on the Ducati Corse team and among a small handful of the most powerful men in motorcycle racing. In a year where Valentino Rossi wasn’t backed into an obvious professional corner things might be different and Nicky Hayden might have remained under the protective favor of VR46. But this year Valentino Rossi had enough to worry about and that left Nicky Hayden exposed. From a team perspective, with only so many spaces on factory bikes possible, Rossi approaching the end of his motorcycle racing career, it’s clear a younger future must be considered. Adding to the complication is the unfortunate fact that just about every gold standard rider’s contract expired this year. Decisions that might have waited until 2013 became 2012 issues. If they don’t get it right this year next year’s crop of available riders to pick from will be sparse. Finally, Rossi wields the Italian press like a bat to communicate what he wants from Ducati. Looking for balance in the garage to the largeness of superstar Rossi may have been the final straw.
To read the rest click HERE
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Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
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It called my name when I first saw it on the showroom floor. The Good Harley Angel on my one shoulder was whispering in my ear, “Don’t go there…it’s the Devil making you look! Don’t let those smooth lines tempt you!” On the other shoulder, the Devil put his hands on his hips and said, “Are you going to let Harley push YOU around?! You are Italian! You deserve to be on the finest Italian motorcycle ever built! GO FOR IT!”
I hurried out of the Ducati dealership before I could be tempted further. I had ridden a Harley for nearly 15 years and had owned my beloved white Heritage Softail for 10. What was I going to do—get rid of “Pearl” and get on this sweet red and black ride and take off for the Amalfi Coast?!
Then an invitation from Cycle World came to do a test ride in Fort Lauderdale. I put on my red cowboy boots, jumped on the Harley and took off for the meeting place. There, a group of riders were just returning from their test ride and as they took off their racing-style helmets, big smiles revealed their experience on the new Diavel which were all lined up, looking like Kentucky Derby horses waiting at the gate. All black, red and black and red—my favorite colors, and I knew that my red boots were aching to get on those foot pegs. Looking back, I must have looked pretty ridiculous—red pointed toe boots, a “Frenchy” half helmet and a black stretch jacket and jeans—so UN-sport bike clad, but at least I was color-coordinated to the bikes. I knew I could speak their language even if I didn’t have the “right” helmet, boots and jacket.
As I sat on the bike, the Harley Angel reappeared and hissed, “I can’t believe you are doing this! You look out of place—you ARE out of place. You are a HARLEY rider—get out while you can!” More here: http://www.ducati.net/2012/04/the-devil-made-me-do-it/
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The Retirement It Deserves | Jason DiSalvo's Ducati 848 Evo | Ducati.net
Words and photos by Vicki Smith
It took 24 years, almost a quarter century, but in March of 2011, Jason DiSalvo became the only man besides Cook Neilson to ever stand on the top step of the podium in a Daytona Superbike race by winning the Daytona 200 on a Ducati 848 EVO. Jason, a privateer, as was Neilson, did it with great riding, perseverance and a huge dose of luck no one can deny. He also did it with two motors. And on that day, Jason DiSalvo’s Ducati became one of the two most important Ducati’s in US racing history.
The next morning, over breakfast in a small B&B 20 miles west of the Daytona Speedway winners circle a group of enthusiasts were mulling over the whole incredible story....Read the whole story here: http://www.ducati.net/2012/04/the-retirement-it-deserves/
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Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
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Ductalk | Gear Review | Ducati.net Discussion Group Post | George Betzhold
I'm sure that a few of you have gotten promos for the Bell Revolver modular helmet. I took the bait (at $99.00 with free shipping) and ordered one a while back. I finally got it last week. I wore it yesterday and did about
100 miles on the Multistrada.
I found it to be a VERY pleasant surprise. The fit for me was extremely good, the detailing was excellent. I did not use my usual ear buds or ear plugs on this ride but the noise level was quite low. I bought the Rally Black (gloss black with a tasteful white "rally stripe" down the middle.) I was only in the mid-60's yesterday so the ventilation went untested. The flip-up control is easy to use and very positive. The integrated sun visor is really cool when heading directly into a setting sun. A quick slide of the button and it dropped down to provide just the right amount of extra shielding. I was a perfect complement to the regular prescription, wraparound sun glasses I was wearing. I have not mounted the dark external visor I bought along with it yet. Both visors (inner and outer) are pre-treated with anti-fog. You are admonished not to use any aftermarket anti-fog.
It is NOT Snell approved (it is DOT) which I am very happy with. (I know the Snell vs. not-Snell debate can go on forever.)
This is my first modular helmet and I must say, unless there are hidden flaws, it will probably become my "go to" helmet in the future.
1741e0a3-20df-4418-8424-01a8073eaf1f's comment January 9, 2012 8:50 AM
George, I ordered mine yesterday based on your review. I always saw the logic of modular helmet for long rides. The styling, features and reading multiple positive reviews flipped the switch. Thanks!
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Art Basel Miami is the place to be for art and fashion lovers worldwide this week and Duncan Quinn, designer of men's bespoke suits and long time Ducati lover has joined up with Ducati...
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