ToeShifter - The Motorcycle Blog

As a designer first and a motorcyclist second I love discussing motorcycle aesthetics. It cannot be argued that regardless of how well a bike gets around a race track, how comfortable it is or how good its components are, aesthetics are always a strong part of what sells motorcycles.

Ducati has long produced machines that are mechanically and aesthetically beautiful. They are engineered with a paired-down minimalism that I’ve grown to strongly appreciate.

My initial reaction to the streetfighter was intriguing at first, but I have grown to despise the machine now. All the correct ingredients are there: it’s constructed with Duck’s gorgeous trellis frame, it’s powered by a stout watercooled v-twin, and the Öhlins suspension components and Brembo brakes appear top-notch.

It’s the angular body work and headlight that truely ruin this machine. I’ve noticed this trend towards steath fighter inspired visuals in other manufacturers, particularly Suzuki. (I wonder if they learned their lesson with the second generation SV 650? or B-King?)

If I had to narrow it down to the exact elements of digression on this visual disaster it would probably be the headlight / instrument cowl, the exhaust, and the horrid chin fairing. The headlight gives the front end a sloping inbred forehead, the exhaust is big and clunky and ruins would could have been a very nice tail section, and the chin piece is a bad attempt to conceal an oil cooler.

Well, that’s all the opinon I have until I see this one in person!

Tags: design, Ducati, new bike, street fighter, streetfighter

This entry was posted on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 8:42 pm and is filed under New Bikes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.