DUCATI WINS!

WOW, Ducati wins a GP. First year in competition and only their sixth race.
Quite surprising result BUT you had to figure, with the outstanding results
they have had so far , that this win was coming. Sure the World Champ made
a mistake but if he wasn't being pushed he would not make that mistake. No
I think it shows just how good at racing Ducati is. By all accounts they
have been very focused on this goal and have devoted a lot of talent to it.

I do have to wonder about the money. The Texas Pacific Group is rumored to
want out but with s sinking stock price they have been unwilling to jump.
While GP racing helps the old reputation I don't see how it will move many
more bikes or improve the manufacturing efficiencies to the point that Wall
Street will be happy. Ducati has always been good at selling the dream and
glamour to entice yet another investor to keep them afloat. Perhaps even a
group of hard core venture capitalists are not immune to the legendary
Italian charm?

What do you think?

What does Buell do next?

I think they make an M2 replacement. Downgrade the suspension components, use a conventional brake and wheel, detune the engine a bit and sell it at $8599. They fly out the door. Meanwhile the S and R get a 3 percent horsepower boost and some trick new paint schemes and keep the same price.

Meanwhile the $8995 pricing on the 2003’s move those bikes out the door. (This is a first for Buell and H-D, realizing that Buells sell like other sport bikes and pricing becomes a big issue as the summer moves on.)

Dave