wtf ...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/209fe0b8-18a6-11dc-a961-000b5df10621,dwp_uuid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html

Cliffs for those who'll ask.  Ducati is considering a merger with Harley.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! 

Hmmm...what would a Ducati look like if it was marketed to baby boomers?

Fully upright riding position, with highway bars, wide cushy seat, lots of chome...

Wake me up, PLEASE! 

I think I just threw up in your mouth.

Quote from: CasiUSA on June 13, 2007, 08:59:27 AM
I think I just threw up in your mouth.

Mine?  ew

Yeah - hopefully if they go down this path they can find a way to do it like VW/Lambo instead of Ford/Jag.

Oh, yeah... a shovelhead, hardtail Monster with push rods and a big external belt for a primary drive... a trellis frame with an engine that goes "potato-potato-potato"...   how could anyone resist?

Quote from: MrDan on June 13, 2007, 09:01:22 AM

Quote from: CasiUSA on June 13, 2007, 08:59:27 AM
I think I just threw up in your mouth.

Mine?  ew

Yeah - hopefully if they go down this path they can find a way to do it like VW/Lambo instead of Ford/Jag.

+1

Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on June 13, 2007, 01:59:23 PM
Oh, yeah... a shovelhead, hardtail Monster with push rods and a big external belt for a primary drive... a trellis frame with an engine that goes "potato-potato-potato"...   how could anyone resist?

i could not bring myself to read it....but i;ll puke in buddies mouth too

I will say this that if they did partner and HD used Ducati's engines in some of the buells I would def look harder at the buells.  But then again they might just make some bastardized cruiser....

Plus HD dealers are easier to find then Ducati dealers

Just Ducati looking for some attention, maybe trying to get HD's attention.  My bet is nothing will come of it.  If anything does come of it, I think they will try to keep the brand identities separate

Quote from: natedawg120 on June 13, 2007, 05:44:06 PM
I will say this that if they did partner and HD used Ducati's engines in some of the buells I would def look harder at the buells.  But then again they might just make some bastardized cruiser....

There's all kinds of rumors about a new Buell engine for 2008 (aside from the future Buell dirtbike).  Some say they're finally getting a water cooled engine, others speculate they will make a new 2 stroke...  But then again there is this kinda speculation every year  

I test rode a Buell XB12scg at the local Buell dealer.  I thought that bike was pretty friggen awesome... the thing had torque like nothing I've ever rode.  It handled really well and the engine sounded pretty good and felt pretty damn powerful, I didn't get the impression at all that it was a bad engine.  Very cool bikes I thought...

That being said, not sure how I would feel about Ducati merging with HD.  It would surely be good for Ducati, they are a small company and clearly HD can market the HELL out of a bike... but one of the aspects I like about Ducati is not everyone has one. 

Wait for the 08's if your looking at a Buell, unless you just want the Harley power plant. I ride with the head of the regional Buell owners association occasionally and he swears that the 08 models are going to be using a liquid cooled Rotax power plant. Can anyone say American Aprilla?