I've been in the market for bike #3 for a while now, and I've been trying to make up my mind ... the Hypermoto just looks like more fun than humans should be allowed to have, but I've sort of had my heart set on a pre-999 superbike (almost had a 748RS ... ) just because of the styling. Then I thought about the 999 - better ergos, better all around bike, etc. But I've also been toying with the idea of building up a Supersport and fitting into a Baines Racing kit - so a tweaked SS1000DS lump parked inside a retro-looking bike with modern-day components = total sleeper.
Anyway, there's been rumors here & there about it, but it sounds like Ducati is going to take the best of the 916/99# lines and merge them into something with either an 1116cc, 1148cc, 1188cc or 1199cc powerplant. And you know ... I can wait a year or so, I think, if they really do. It sounds like it; they've been pushing the AMA to change the displacement rules for racing - but even if they don't, Ducati is making noises like they're going to build it anyway.
The single sided swing arm is going to return, but the exhaust might be an underbelly unit (a cross between a Buell and the new GSXR-750) or something upswept - both pictured below. I was hoping for the Desmosedici's top-mount, but then they couldn't make a biposto. Styling will supposedly be a mix of Tamburini's 916 and Terblanche's 999 - the barge boards will remain, but the headlight unit might recall eaerlier models. 5 gets you 10 they'll go back to the side-by-side headlights, and they'll look something like the Desmosedici RR's. (There was a lot of noise made about Terblanche's freight-train headlight bucket ... )
Granted, I still want a 748/916/996/998, and a Hypermoto, and I'll still build up a retro SS ... but if they build this, I think this will be my next ride.
Some of the articles floating around:
- translated
- about a 1/4 of the way down
Personally, I like the idea of the first pic better; the sketch doesn't look ... Ducati enough, I guess.
So my friend, and you know who you are, is this what you were referring to, those months ago?
So, thoughts, anyone?
Too angular or something, not human enough. I can't decide if I'd rather see the under carriage exhaust or the vertical vent exhaust like the 'Sedici has ...