Some idea of the importance of the Australian market to Ducati in the 1970s (it was in fact the company’s largest export market for most of the decade), can be seen in these two 750 models.
1978 Ducati 750 GT Australian special
1978 Ducati 750 GT Australian special
While at first glance they look like a normal 1974 GT and Sport they are in fact 1978 ‘models’ constructed from spare parts by the factory at the request of the Australian importer – Frasers.
1978 Ducati 750 Sport Australian special
1978 Ducati 750 Sport Australian special
At the time the recently released 860 GT was seen by the market as a backwards step from the 750 GT (at least aesthetically), which had ceased production in 1974, and there was no Sport equivalent available with the “square case” motor.
The 1978 Ducati 750 GT proved a racing success in the Superbike class in Australia
1978 Ducati 750 GT Australian special
The 750 GT had proved to be very successful first step into the Superbike class with Australian sales rising from 33 upon introduction in ’71, to 151 in ’72, 202 in ’73 and 396 in ’74. The 860 GT’s figures were 181 in ’74, 270 in ’75 and 244 (including 14 GTEs) in ’76 – quite a drop from the “round case” 750.
1978 Ducati 750 GT
1978 Ducati 750 GT
There were only a few differences between the ’78 and ’74 GT models. The later bikes used the same CEV switch gear as the ’78 SS and had the newer “double line” Ducati logo stencilled on the rear of the seat. A total of 41 were imported.
1978 Ducati 750 Sport
1978 Ducati 750 Sport
1978 Ducati 750 Sport
The 22 ’78 750 Sports built had even less changes. Some had slightly different switch-gear fitted but they were basically identical to the earlier versions.
What I photographed here is a beautifully restored 1971 Ducati 750 GT, a bike that was a real pleasure to spend time with!
1971 Ducati 750 GT
The 750 GT went into production in mid-1971, with the first 404 examples (this bike has frame number 61 and engine number 62), having sand-cast crankcases and many other differences compared to later bikes.
1971 Ducati 750 GT
The engine cases featured large circular recesses in the sump, originally designed for the footpeg mounts. In addition the clutch cover was without a separate inspection cover; the tank was uniquely shaped, as was the seat; the valve covers were polished; the foot-pegs were positioned further forward than on the later bikes; both the Grand Turismo handgrips and this shape choke lever were only found on these early bikes.
1971 Ducati 750 GT
The rear drum brake was a twin leading shoe type as opposed to the single leading shoe fitted to all later production (up to around frame number 80, the same with the one piece clutch cover).
1971 Ducati 750 GT
The owner of the bike chose to paint the frame silver grey as seen in the factory brochures and possibly on some very early production bikes, but no one has ever actually seen one as far as anyone can now tell.
1971 Ducati 750 GT
1971 Ducati 750 GT
1971 Ducati 750 GT
The ’71 750 GT made 57 hp at 7700 rpm and had a dry weight of 185 kg. Top speed was 200 km/h. It was the first of a very long run of Ducati V-twins that of course continues to this very day! And it is gorgeous!
With the 2020 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in a holding pattern, we touched base with Cube Performance Centre owner, and DesmoSport Ducati Co-Owner, Ben Henry to chat about the season, the bike, and what happens now.
DesmoSport Ducati V4 R
The V4R from Ducati has grabbed headlines around the world in 2019, but you chose not to race it, and instead took the ASBK championship on the Panigale Final Edition. Ultimately, it was the right decision, but why didn’t you change over to the new bike as expected?
“There was a few reasons why we didn’t change. We started the season with Troy (Bayliss) on the bike, and we had intentions of racing the V4R during the (2019) season, but it was difficult to source all the parts we needed to even build it the way we wanted to. The bike we unveiled at the first round, we actually built using items that the World Superbike teams transported over for us from Europe, which included a chassis and blank fairings, so I was pretty proud to turn around and unveil a completed ASBK-spec race bike over the race weekend. As it turned out, that weekend ended Troy’s 2019 campaign, we couldn’t secure a second V4R, and when we drafted Mike in, he was already familiar with riding a Ducati twin, so it made sense to stick with a bike that we already developed and knew.”
Mike Jones – 2019 ASBK Champ on the 1299 Panigale R Final Edition – Image by Rob Mott
So fast forward to 2020 and the V4R is the bike that Mike Jones is racing. What has DesmoSport Ducati done to the standard V4R to get it up to speed in the ASBK?
“The rules for ASBK are designed to try and maintain a somewhat level playing field between the manufacturers without opening the floodgates and increasing the costs to be competitive. I think we saw that in 2019, with just about every brand taking race wins and in contention for the championship right until the end.
Rear sets help with ground clearance and rider positioning
“It does mean that we only have a limited number of things that we can do to our race bikes, but that’s the challenge, or the race, that I compete in for the championship. Mike has to be the best rider, and I have to give him the best bike. So on our V4R, starting from the ground up, we choose Pirelli tyres, and Spider rear sets to reposition the rider and improve the lean angle.
Termignoni system on the DesmoSport Ducati V4 R
“I tested a number of leading exhausts and the Termignoni gave us the best numbers and power curve. After round one, we re-routed the fuel tank breather into a small bottle, and use a Sprint Filter air filter, along with GB Racing protectors.
GB Racing protectors
“I do work on the motors to ensure all tolerances are correct and balanced, and we maintain a short service interval, pulling the motors down after every two track weekends to check and replace any components that look worn.
DesmoSport Ducati V4 R at 2020 Round One
“We use a JetPrime switch block on the handle bars with ProGrip grips, and always have a Speed Angle in place whenever on track for the rider. We use Plastic Bike race fairings and EaziGrip grip pads on the tank.
JetPrime switch block on the handle bars with ProGrip grips
“We’re limited with what we can do in the standard ECU, and so that puts more pressure on us to get the chassis and suspension working even better.”
So that brings us to the elephant in the room. In testing and round one, Wayne’s (Maxwell) V4R was faster than yours, why?
“Craig (McMartin) and their team have done a great job, there’s no question. Wayne is a rider that you can’t give an inch to, and they’ve come out of the gates firing. If you look at the times through the weekend, we weren’t too far off where we needed to be in the final race, and we missed some critical track time when we were pulled off the grid in race one, so while I don’t know that we would’ve won, I think if we had that track time, we might have moved to the suspension settings we eventually got to earlier, and been closer to the front.
Wayne Maxwell took out the 2020 ASBK season opener at Phillip Island – Image by Rob Mott
“We could see how Wayne was riding the bike, how it was set up. They had a plan and have played to their strengths and it’s paid off for them. In saying that, we were missing something else, we could see from the box that the bike was a little unsettled, and it wasn’t allowing Mike to ride it to its potential.
Mike Jones testing at Wakefield Park – Image by TDJ
“We tested at Wakefield and I saw the same issues there and although we were improving, we didn’t have an impact on that problem, so we went back to basics, and also went over the information we gathered from the WSBK team at Phillip Island. We actually measured the World Superbike V4R’s and found a lot more similarities to the standard bike than in previous years in a few key areas, so we’ve used their experience and translated some of their advice over to our race bike.
Mike Jones testing at Wakefield Park – Image by TDJ
“We tested at Morgan Park prior to the more stringent social distancing guidelines and we’ve taken some strong steps forward that should see us back where we belong, at the front.”
Mike Jones at Phillip Island – Image by Rob Mott
So from your answer, can we assume that changes you’re referring to are suspension related?
“Essentially yes. The V4R is fast out of the box, Troy showed that when he raced the bike at MotoGP. The changes we make from standard improve the ergonomics, the power and its delivery to the back wheel, we make it a race bike, improving lean angles, and remove non-essential components. We’re limited by the lack of changes we can make through the ECU for things like engine braking, fuel and traction control, so it puts even more focus on our suspension settings to get the most from both Mike and the bike.”
Winners and losers in ASBK are often decided by the internal settings of the forks and shock
So with the season paused, what does DesmoSport Ducati do now?
“We were lucky to get that last test in at Morgan Park. Mike did over 150 laps, and instead of sitting here theorising about the changes we want, we’ve tested them, proved them, and now focus on the small things.
DesmoSport Ducati VR
“The bikes are in the Cube Performance Centre workshop, where, in between customers’ bikes they’re being pulled down and fine-tuned and generally maintained while we play our part to get through the current health crisis.
The Cube Performance Centre workshop
“We are keen to go racing, the ASBK is incredibly competitive with a group of 8 or 9 riders that are capable of winning races, and it would be great to give Australia something apart from Tiger King to watch!”
Ben Henry at work on the DesmoSport Ducati – Image by Rob Mott Source: MCNews.com.au
Navigation is easy. You can move your mouse around to scan left and right and up and down and use the arrows on the floor to move forward, back or into the side rooms.
The Ducati Museum attracts about 40,000 fans a year from around the world.
I visited the museum a few years ago as well as touring the factory and have included some photos on my Pinterest page. You can also check out my BMW and Harley museum pix.
The factory Ducati museum
Displays include the 1946 Cucciolo to the most recent Desmosedici GP and World Superbikes. The Museum covers an area of 850 square metres and the exhibition surrounds a giant red helmet with motorcycles displayed on an illuminated track. There are also seven thematic rooms, with displays, historic videos and mementoes.
The museum was officially recognised in 2012 by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Regional Activities as a site of significant cultural value and for the fourth consecutive year it has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
In 2014, more than 40,000 people from all over the world visited the Ducati Museum with TripAdvisor reviewers giving it a score of 4.5 out of 5.
To select the winners of the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor uses a special algorithm that takes into account a range of factors such as the quality, quantity and relevance of the reviews. It also considers the opinions posted by travellers over the last 12 months, the position of the attraction in the site’s popularity rankings and how long it has been in those rankings.
Ducati has revealed its new Streetfighter V4 in a live streaming show as its scheduled delivery may be delayed by the pandemic.
The live streaming may have been planned to satisfy anxious customers, although it didn’t reveal much more than we already knew.
Delivery delayed
It was scheduled to be available from March 2020.
However, given the company has closed it factory until further notice over the pandemic, deliveries are expected to be delayed.
The Steetfighter will come in a “base model” at €19,990 (about $32,500) and a V4 S version at €22,990 (about $A37,500).
Aussie prices may vary and the delivery schedule is not yet confirmed.
Power packed
It is only slightly detuned from the Panigale V4’s 211 (157kW) to 208hp (155kW) and weighs in at 201kg.
To control all that power and keep the front wheel on the ground, it has an aero package that creates 28kg of downforce at 270km/h.
The aggressive street brawl design is highlighted by two sets of wings on either side of the bike.
Here is the Ducati press release and tech specs:
The foundation of the Steetfighter V4 is a Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings and equipped with high, wide handlebars. Weighing 178 kg, it is powered by a 1103 cc Desmosedici Stradale engine, its 208 hp kept under control by biplane aerofoils and a latest-generation electronics package: a combination of factors and modifications that Ducati calls the “Fight Formula”. The result is an over-the-top naked Ducati, modern and technological, with an assertively eye-catching design. A bike that does nothing to hide its segment-leading performance, but which also ensures practicality and full-on fun during everyday rides.
The minimalist full-LED headlight with its V-shaped DRL captures the spirit of the Streetfighter V4 perfectly. On the one hand, it recalls the front of the Panigale V4 and, on the other, evokes the crazy grin of the Joker (the comic strip character from which the Ducati Style Center drew inspiration for this new Bologna-built naked).
On the Streetfighter V4, the Front Frame and Desmosedici Stradale engine take centre-stage. Only partially screened by superstructures that have been cut to a bare minimum, their sharp lines create a clean, essential whole.
Such powerful design demands a powerful engine, and the 1103 cc 208 hp Desmosedici Stradale fits the bill: for a naked, it packs an impressive punch, yet dedicated engine mapping lets the rider control the power with confidence. The engine – combined with a kerb weight of 178 kg (“S” version) – boosts the power/weight ratio to an impressive 1.17. Performance can be further improved by mounting the full-racing Ducati Performance exhaust by Akrapovič, which raises power to 220 hp and reduces weight by 6 kg.
The feisty performance of this bike is stabilised by sophisticated electronics lifted directly from the Panigale V4 and the ‘biplane’ aerofoils developed by Ducati Corse aerodynamicists. Brought forward to maximise their effect, the aerofoils generate 28 kg of downforce at 270 kph, attenuating front wheel ‘floating’ at high speed and the tendency to wheel-up. They also boost stability during braking at the turn-in point and through the corner. On the road, this dynamic behaviour instils confidence. On the track, instead, it boosts performance by limiting electronic control intervention and allowing delayed braking.
The latest-generation electronics package on the Streetfighter V4 is based on a 6-axis inertial measurement platform which instantly detects the bike’s roll, yaw and pitch angles. The electronics oversee every part of the ride: some controls manage start, acceleration and braking, others handle traction, while some lend a helping hand on corners and out-of-the-corner stretches. Safety, performance, and bags of personality: the new Ducati Streetfighter V4 has arrived!
Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust
4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 2 lambda probes
Transmission
Gearbox
6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2
Primary drive
Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.80:1
Ratio
1=38/14 2=36/17 3=33/19 4=32/21 5=30/22 6=30/24
Final drive
Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 42
Clutch
Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch
Chassis
Frame
Aluminium alloy “Front Frame”
Front suspension
Fully adjustable Showa BPF fork. 43 mm chromed inner tubes
Front wheel
5-spokes light alloy 3.50″ x 17″
Front tyre
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II 120/70 ZR17
Rear Suspension
Fully adjustable Sachs unit. Aluminum single-sided swingarm
Rear Wheel
5-spokes light alloy 6.00” x 17”
Rear tyre
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II 200/60 ZR17
Wheel travel (front/rear)
120 mm (4.7 in) – 130 mm (5.1 in)
Front brake
2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema® (M4.30) 4-piston callipers with Cornering ABS EVO
Rear brake
245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Cornering ABS EVO
Instrumentation
Last generation digital unit with 5″ TFT colour display
Dimensions and weights
Dry weight
180 kg (397 lb)
Kerb weight*
201 kg (443 lb)
Seat height
845 mm (33.3 in)
Wheelbase
1.488 mm (58.6 in)
Rake
24,5°
Front wheel trail
100 mm (4 in)
Fuel tank capacity
16 l – 4.23 gallon (US)
Number of seats
Dual seats
Equipment
Safety equipment
Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, Auto tyre calibration
Standard equipment
Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, Full LED lighting with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Sachs steering damper, Quick adjustment buttons, Auto-off indicators, Passenger seat and footpegs. Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).
Additional equipment
–
Ready for
Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+) with GPS module, Ducati LinkApp, anti-theft, heating grips, Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS)
Warranty
Warranty (months)
24 months unlimited mileage
Maintenance (km/months)
12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months
Valve clearance adjustment (km)
24,000 km (15,000 mi)
Consumption and Emissions (only for countries where Euro 4 standard applies)
Standard
Euro 4
*Kerb weights indicate total bike weight with all operating consumable liquids and a fuel tank filled to 90% of capacity (as per EU Regulation 44/2014 Annex XI).
Electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full ride-by-wire elliptical throttle bodies.
Exhaust
4-2-1-2 system, with 2 catalytic converters and 2 lambda probes
Transmission
Gearbox
6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2
Primary drive
Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.80:1
Ratio
1=38/14 2=36/17 3=33/19 4=32/21 5=30/22 6=30/24
Final drive
Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 42
Clutch
Hydraulically controlled slipper and self-servo wet multiplate clutch
Chassis
Frame
Aluminium alloy “Front Frame”
Front suspension
Öhlins NIX30 43 mm fully adjustable fork with TiN treatment. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode
Front wheel
3-spokes forged aluminum alloy 3.50″ x 17″
Front tyre
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II 120/70 ZR17
Rear Suspension
Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 event-based mode. Aluminium single-sided swingarm
Rear Wheel
3-spokes forged aluminum alloy 6.00″ x 17″
Rear tyre
Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II 200/60 ZR17
Wheel travel (front/rear)
120 mm (4.7 in) – 130 mm (5.1 in)
Front brake
2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Stylema® (M4.30) 4-piston callipers with Cornering ABS EVO
Rear brake
245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Cornering ABS EVO
Instrumentation
Last generation digital unit with 5″ TFT colour display
Dimensions and weights
Dry weight
178 kg (392 lb)
Kerb weight*
199 kg (439 lb)
Seat height
845 mm (33.3 in)
Wheelbase
1.488 mm (58.6 in)
Rake
24,5°
Front wheel trail
100 mm (4 in)
Fuel tank capacity
16 l – 4.23 gallon (US)
Number of seats
Dual seats
Equipment
Safety equipment
Riding Modes, Power Modes, Cornering ABS EVO, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Slide Control (DSC), Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO, Auto tyre calibration
Standard equipment
Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down EVO 2, Full LED lighting with Daytime Running Light (DRL), Ducati Electronic Suspension (DES) EVO with Ohlins suspension and steering damper, Quick adjustment buttons, Auto-off indicators, Passenger seat and footpegs, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS). Marchesini aluminium forged wheels
Additional equipment
–
Ready for
Ducati Data Analyser+ (DDA+) with GPS module, Ducati LinkApp, anti-theft, heating grips, Ducati Lap Timer GPS (DLT GPS)
Warranty
Warranty (months)
24 months unlimited mileage
Maintenance (km/months)
12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months
Valve clearance adjustment (km)
24,000 km (15,000 mi)
Consumption and Emissions (only for countries where Euro 4 standard applies)
Standard
Euro 4
*Kerb weights indicate total bike weight with all operating consumable liquids and a fuel tank filled to 90% of capacity (as per EU Regulation 44/2014 Annex XI).
Ducati expects to reopen the factory on Wednesday (25 March 2020).
Several motorcycle factories have also closed across Europe and Asia for cleaning as well as Harley-Davidson in the USA.
The latest to join the factory closures is Royal Enfield in India and the UK until March 31.
All these production halts may not have an immediate effect on motorcycle supplies, but could result in longer term delays, especially on spare parts.
Ducati results
Ducati has announced it “delivered” 53,183 motorcycles last year. That doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how many were sold.
It’s the fifth consecutive year the Bologna factory has receded deliveries above 50,000.
Ducati report turnover of €716 million ($A1332m) and €52m ($A97m) in operating profit, equal to 7.2% of operating margin.
While the Scrambler has become the biggest-selling model since its release in 2015, Panigale and Multistrada are generating the most income.
The company says turnover per bike of about €13,500 ($A235,120) per motorcycle represents the highest value in the history of the company.
They say this indicates a move toward the premium part of the market.
Panigale was the best-selling super sports bike in the world for the second consecutive year, with a market share of 25%.
The Multistrada family recorded the highest value of motorcycles sold since entering the market in 2003. last year the Multistrada family added the 950 S and 1260 Enduro.
Premium Streetfighter V4
Ducati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA
The premium Streetfighter V4 should also help lift turnover-per-motorcycle when it is released this year.
It was unveiled in November 2019 at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan where it won the most beautiful bike award.
Price and delivery have not yet been revealed.
However, we expect they may be announced when Ducati telecasts a presentation on Wednesday (25 March 2020) featuring techs involved in developing the bike.
BMW Motorrad has halted manufacturing at its Spandau factory n Berlin, but we believe G 310 production is continuing in the TVR plant in India.
The company has also closed its Munich HQ and two museums.
In Australia, BMW’s GS Safari has been postponed from this month until May 24-29.
GS Safari in doubt
A spokeswoman says the event will “most definitely go ahead in May”, but we think that’s unlikely given the pandemic expected to be at its peak then.
“We are aware that medically we will still be in the midst of dealing with the COVID-19 virus Australia wide however under advisement the current travel restrictions will have changed which will allow us to run the event as planned,” the spokeswoman says.
Several motorcycle factories have closed across Europe while Harley-Davidson joined the temporary closure to clean its factories after a worker tested positive at their Milwaukee engine plant.
Ducati has extended its factory closure until March 25 and Brembo and Yamaha have closed their European factories until next Monday.
Moto Morini, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas had already closed their factories in Italy and Austria.
The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa – closed its factories last weekend for a “deep clean” and returned to production this week.
Meanwhile, MV Agusta in Lombardy, the epicentre of the Italian coronavirus contagion, continues with a reduced workforce.
All these manufacturing halts may not have an immediate effect on motorcycle supplies, but could result in longer term delays, especially on spare parts.
The company announced it will suspend the majority of its production at its US manufacturing facilities until March 29 after an employee at their Pilgrim Rd, Milwaukee, plant tested positive for Covid-19.
Ducati has extended its factory closure until March 25 and Brembo and Yamaha have closed their European factories until next Monday.
Moto Morini, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas had already closed their factories in Italy and Austria.
The Piaggio Group – owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa – closed its factories last weekend for a “deep clean” and returned to production this week.
Meanwhile, MV Agusta in Lombardy, the epicentre of the Italian coronavirus contagion, continues with a reduced workforce.
Harley production halted
Pilgrim Rd factory
Now Harley has temporarily suspending production at their York Vehicle Operations in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin facilities at Tomahawk Operations and Pilgrim Rd Powertrain Operations.
Harley-Davidson plans to continue monitoring the situation closely and make additional adjustments in accordance with WHO guidelines.
All these manufacturing halts may not have an immediate effect on motorcycle supplies, but could result in longer term delays, especially on spare parts.
Harley acting boss Jochen Zeitz says they “recognise the unprecedented nature of this global crisis” and want to “support our employees”.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to prioritise employee health and safety,” he says.
The majority of Harley’s US production employees will be on temporary layoff with medical benefits. The company will use this time to continue deep cleaning and disinfecting its production areas and common areas to further protect workers upon their return.
There is no word on any changes at their Indian factory which produces Street models for Australia and New Zealand and the Thai assembly plant which produces models fr Europe to avoid the high tariffs.
Harley-Davidson says they are working with dealers to assess individual impacts.
All Harley-Davidson sponsored events have been cancelled until mid-April.
Ducati extends production line shutdown to March 25
Ducati has decided to extend the shutdown of its production lines to 25 March as they implement new measures to safeguard the health of workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer released a statement explaining the decision to close production until March 18 would be extended to March 25, with new regulations to be implemented to reduce contact between people while maintaining a strong workforce.
Ducati statement
Claudio Domenicali – CEO of Ducati Motor Holding
“I am proud of how Ducati’s workers are facing this difficult moment for our country. My thanks go to all those who, on a daily basis and even in a difficult situation like this, are confirming the great value of a united, cohesive but also sensitive and attentive workforce. For them, for their safety and for their security, measures and choices like the ones we are making are necessary and owed. However, all the support services for our customers are guaranteed, first and foremost the supply of spare parts. We want to reassure Ducatisti and our dealers all over the world: we are organising ourselves to be ready for the restart and, even in this period of downtime we will not fail to provide support.”
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding
Since the beginning of the health emergency in Italy, on Monday 24 February, Ducati has adopted an important series of measures to limit the probability of the virus spreading at its plant in Borgo Panigale, in a very timely manner and in advance of later arrangements. The most important were the measurement of the temperature at each person entering the plant, trips limited to the strictly necessary, a strong impulse to smart working, meetings with reduction of participants and distance between them, canteen with special procedures and revision of shifts to reduce close contact between people.
Despite all this, Ducati had already decided to suspend production from Friday 13 March to Wednesday 18 March included, in order to implement a series of works and actions on the production lines, to further increase the safety level of workers and to introduce a multi-shift work programme to halve the number of people on the assembly line at the same time.
The postponement of the reopening to 25 March was necessary to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines (shared protocol, issued on 14 March), which will require a few more days of work and modifications to the structures.
On the other hand, all activities related to the development of new products and market support continue, in compliance with the rules of conduct against the spread of the virus, making extensive use of smart working technology.
Ducati Streetfighter V4 wins most beautiful bike at EICMA
GS Safari in doubt
Harley’s Pilgrim Rd engine factory
