berto said:
I just feel sorry for those who purchased 999's this year >>>
Errrr - why? They still are exceedingly good bikes with a huge following and some still prefer them to the 916/996/998 and 1098. There will always be a market for them especially for those who cannot afford a brand new bike.
We have sold many Superbikes since it was public knowledge there was a new machine around the corner. Remember the speculation has been around for literally months.
Time / technology moves on. Sure residuals will be affected but isn't every manufacturers when a machine is superceeded????? Look at some of the competitors bike deals every 12 - 18 months or so, especially round new model time.
Ducati have a reputation for staying power with their models. Nearly a decade with the 916 shape and 4 years for the 999. Very few manufacturers do that. To me, that goes a good way to continue looking after their customers.
berto said:
especially as Ducati didn't seem to care about residuals when releasing details about the new bike and saying how disapointed they have been in the 749/999 range>>>
The factory
are dissapointed about sales in that range, that much is blatantly obvious to all and sundry. Superbike sales have dropped in comparison previous years. What do
you think they should do - just keep producing a bike thats sales have not been what they wanted / needed? Or develop it - when the majority of the potential buyers / journalists / current owners have been very vocal they wanted an evolution of the previous design?
Ducatis accounts
are public, both their shareholders and investors want to sell bikes to make money. If that isn't happening they want to know why and what they can do to counteract that!!
This is business, not personal - although it may feel that way to some.
I'm sure we as customers would prefer to see our favourite brand survive profitably & successfully.
Any market analyst could see a change was needed, I don't really think any of us is truly surprised to see a new bike at this time.
I know for a fact (after having the benefit of speaking to those in the factory face to face) Ducati are not happy about the scenario but they find themselves between a rock and a hard place. What else can they do?
After all thats what it's all about. Bike sales. Ducati has a very wealthy and brand new investor - they will be looking for a return on their money.
When our customers buy a new bike - every one of them realise that it will depreciate immediatley, that is the motor industry. Most of them also know what residuals are in the market at that same time, they have done their homework before buying new. They are not stupid, they know what they are doing. I mean they have probably walked by quite a few used machines as they come through our store.
berto said:
IMO the 749/999 are far better road bikes than the previous range>>>
Totally agreed, we two are not the only people that think that way, that's why there will always be a market for them.
(See "craic" thread!) No, I don't want to see the photos!!
have a good run though - if anyone decides to go and i hope the weather's slightly better than it is today!