[Ducati] OH Paahleeese (was: ducati scent)

[S & L Warburton]

First, let me get out the old boxing gloves and trunks.... Ooooo they don't fit like they use to... oh well, let the games begin.

Izzy, are you a bit FIZZY? I think you're spot on with your comments on cross marketing. It's a way of corporate life these days.
Same goes for Ducati's product placement in TV and print ads for everything from Chevy trucks to Payless shoes to whatever.
But, surely you were joking  when your wrote, "The only other motorcycle company which makes ONLY motorcycles is Harley Davidson."
If you believe that then obviously you do not know your industry history very well. H.D. have had their name on snowmobiles, golf
carts, three wheeled cars and utility items plus more. And yes some of these things were their design and built, (or partly
assembled) in factories owned by H.D.

Oh and in case some are not aware, Ducati started out in the electronics industry. They went through a period were they built and
sold everything from radios to clocks and cameras. And not that many years ago were into outboard boat motors.

Oh and this one, " If Ducati has a bad year or two, they could be sold off and bastardized beyond comprehension (Ducati Indiana,
anyone?  Thanks, Cagiva).

They have had, were sold, but still they make beautiful motorcycles. Yes, you (and all Ducati lovers the world over) should thank
Cagiva. If it hadn't been for Cagiva, Ducati the company would have been long gone. Cagiva not only saved the company but I believe
is primarily responsible for starting it's big turn around. Out with all the old, (out dated models) and in with exciting new ideas,
(new models). Where do you think the money came for R&D of the four valve engine? Remember the 916? That was Cagiva who hired
Tamborini.
So maybe the Indiana isn't your cup of tea. But it showed that they were thinking and willing to take a chance. Bastardized? Hardly!
Best cruiser to come out of the mid eighties! Can you name any other cruiser that had front and rear disk brakes, alloy swing arm
and a DRY clutch? Be glad I'm writing this and not my wife. She'd have your manhood in a sausage grinder before you could say,
"Elephant logo" for typing such a statement.


Back to your H.D. comparison. Many a die had Harley rider do not acknowledge the AMF years. But if it hadn't been for AMF Harley
would have been a long forgotten brand. AMF did for Harley what Cagiva did for Ducati.
Back to your cross marketing, H.D. have got to be the worst offenders at pimping their name to earn an extra couple of bucks. From
underwear to beer to oil to Barbie dolls to Ford trucks. If you pay them enough H.D. will let you put the bar and shield on just
about anything. At least Ducati is trying to keep their name on up scale "designer" items.


mo+omille,  don't think you're getting off without a couple of jabs from me either."Those Ferrari laptops... man... what a trip...
you can't tell me they don't look cheesy.  And... are they faster or better than anything out there?  I think not."

Yes I can and I will, They do NOT look cheesy! Everyone who sees mine has to ask about it. They love the Ferrari red exterior colour
and the little carbon fibre dash. And yes, at the time I bought mine, it was about the fastest lappy going. It had the latest AMD 64
mobile processor, a gig of fast RAM and 128 meg ATI video plus built in combo drive and five in one reader.

" People who won't be able to ever have a Ferrari can buy their logo. Ducati is trying to do the same thing."
And from a bean counter point of view, what's wrong with that? I know people who wear H.D. brand clothing and drive a Harley limited
edition Ford truck but have never, will never own a motorcycle. Still, they are walking, talking adverts for H.D. Ducati is trying
to be responsible to it's share holders by promoting it's brand name in an attempt to increase profits.

I'm sorry that I may not be able to respond to the flood of post that will follow this. But, the wife and I leave tomorrow afternoon
for Hiawassee Georgia and USDesmo's last rally of the season, Duc's Fly South. I will however take my old FERRARI laptop with me and
try to catch up on emails etc. when I can find internet access points.

the Dreamer
(a.k.a. Ducati Dreamin' Stephen)
Living life on the edge. Less crowded, better view.
'98 900 SS FE (biposto), silFEr
DOCC #19
DOC Liaison Coordinator
http://www2.reach.net/seven/
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