Why Ducati?
I have owned many motorcycles across brands and types.
But since 2016 I have gotten stuck to Ducati’s and have landed up owning back to back 4 machines from Ducati’s stable…and probably eyeing my 5th Ducati too!
Recently my daughter asked me a simple yet a very interesting question - “Why Ducati?!” Why not any other motorcycle?
Lets try and decode:
In order to answer the main question of “Why Ducati?” we need to answer a few basic questions like -
*”What attracts me to a motorcycle?”*
Motorcycles for me have to have the following:
**Excellent Designs**: Good to look at, proportionate from all angles, good paint schemes (My colour palette is very binary and limited for eg. my wardrobe is all black, grey, white and blue 😅…In motoring I like my machines either Black, White or Red) a combination of all 3 of these colours tastefully delivered would be a bonus. I like the designs simple and not too complex.
**Excellent performance**: The motorcycle HAS to be top notch in its category…NO COMPROMISES.
**Purpose focused**: While a swiss knife is a handy all rounder tool…I prefer to use the right tool for the right job and not prefer a “jugaad” if I can afford to. I like my motorcycles to be built for the job.
Now that I have zeroed down on a motorcycle based on design, performance and purpose, lets look at another question which would need to be deep dived into before we come to “Why Ducati?” -
*What would make me own/buy that motorcycle?*
**Budget**: The motorcycle will have to be within my financial reach
**Ease of Maintenance**: The after sales service capability, availability of spares, reliability are key parameters.
**Ownership experience**: This is a subjective aspect BUT one of the most important aspects. Everything from booking a motorcycle, to taking the delivery and later having platforms to enjoy and celebrate my ownership of it, are critical factors before I decide to buy one.
Buying motorcycles can be easy with multiple choices available in the market today, ease of financing options etc. BUT owning one and living with it is where the proof of pudding lies in.
And hence “Ownership Experience” is the MOST important factor!
*NOW lets come back to decoding “Why Ducati?”* :
- Unmatched design principles which are a benchmark in the industry
- Unmatched performance which is being proven time and again on worlds largest competitive motosports platforms like MotoGP and WSBK! With all that tech trickling down into their production motorcycles and not being limited to prototypes
- A wide variety of purpose focused product lineup with versatility
- Extremely competitive pricing in its class thanks to their ability to have a manufacturing and distribution setup in Asia (Thailand)
- Excellent dealership network, who are young, enthusiastic and eager to serve
- Top in class service intervals, with excellent after sales and spares support globally
- Benchmarked community engagement with their DOC (Ducati Owners Club) format for like minded people to engage..and by design having the dealer engage and participate with the community! One just does not buy a Ducati but gets adopted into a family!
- Undoubtedly in the top quadrant of motoring snobbery with premium ownership experience! Buying a Ducati is not like buying just any motorcycle…but its buying a piece of motoring history, legendary lineage, its like being able to own something which most people aspire to or dream of!
Are there better motorcycles in the market? Maybe…
Are there cheaper options? Definitely…
Is there any one brand of motorcycle packaging all of the above mentioned factors successfully in and through their motorcycles? Hell No!
Its ONLY Ducati which has managed to get the equation right on all fronts!
And this dream is in my reach…so…my answer to “Why Ducati?” Would be - WHY NOT!?
Cheers,
Ashutosh Mahadik
Big Wheels Motoring