i've lived in italy, so i realize that what i'm about to say is a blanket statement and doesn't apply as a whole, but i found the ducati factory, like most things italian, to be show first, go second. Everything is about the look, making the damn thing run right, and be reliable is a secondary consideration. They JUST instituted policies in their assembly line that most manufacteurers have been doing for decades. CNC is something very new to them, efficiency...that's a foreign word. I dunno, you go into the place, and it looks like a factory right out of WWII...which it basically is. After walking through the factory, and seeing the process the bikes go through, its easy to walk up to a duc now and see the spotty welds, and sort of hapzard assembly.
Don't get me wrong, i think the bikes look great, and they have some solid numbers behind them...but for $$$ i'd expect something more refined, polished, and better built. I'm 900x more sure now that my R1 is a better built bike fit and finish, and i have no problems with its reliability...i would never be able to say that about a duc.
It reminds of an article on the guy that designed the 999 when he talked about how far behind the 999 was in technology with what's available. I have a hard time considering Italy a first world country (go there...you will too), so it doesn't surprise me when walking on the factory floor they have a giant milling machine circa 1920 (no joke) that makes parts...and they admit that they could buy a cheaper machine that does the same job 100x faster (also no joke), with better precision, but don't cause they like this one more.
just my impression didn't sit well i guess, and from what i understand ferrari was the same way for a LONG time. I just saw a program on Aprilia's update factory...i don't see how ducati can hold out much longer like they are now :O
-:banana
issright Yamaha R1 
