Style unparalled

If freedom means exhilaration and stretching your limits, then the Ducati gives you just that. What does the city think of the brand? We find out

Vaijayanthi Kari

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The adrenaline rush, the passion for speed, the daredevil instinct and the desire to be exclusive are some of the many reasons, why people love sports bikes. One might say that a Ducati is just one among many sports bikes but those who love biking will tell you that riding a Ducati is a beyond anything you have experienced before.

Italians are known for their passion for speed and fashion. Be it their Lamborghini, Ferrari or Bugatti, they have aced design and class. It comes as no surprise that the Ducati is their creation as well…But what makes it so different from other bikes?”I’ve owned a Ninja, a Honda and a Suzuki. But the Ducati is a whole new level. I bought a Ducati 749 in March this year and the ride is perfectly smooth and it doesn’t get heated up,” says Asghar Ali Khan.

Since the company was started in 1926, it has been owned by several groups like the Ducati Family, the VM Group, the Cagiva Group, performance motorcycles etc. But its perfection with design has always remained the same.

Ducati earned its place in history when it produced the then fastest 250 cc road bike named the Mach 1. But today it is known for producing some of the best bikes in the history of motorcycle racing. The company has won 13 riders world championships since the championship’s inception in 1988 and has amassed more wins than any other manufacturer. It has also won a great number of races in championships like SBK manufacturer world championship, British Superbike Championship and AMA Superbike Championship.

But why would someone want something so dangerously powerful? “It’s the looks, the acceleration and moreover the sound! The mere look of a superbike gives me an adrenaline rush! Cars are fast but bikes are better in acceleration so maybe that is why I’d like to have one,” says Akshay Rao, a huge fan of superbikes.

And the current line-up of Ducati is about exactly that. Consisting of the Diavel, the Hypermotard, the Monster, the Multistrada, the Streetfighter and the Superbike this line-up represents enthusiasm and thrill that only a Ducati can provide. There was a point of time when seeing a BMW in Hyderabad was a sight for sore eyes but now, you see a BMW so often. Does it mean that this city is ready to take the next step and move onto these mean machines?

Financially maybe yes, but unfortunately Hyderabad has close to zero long and empty stretches to ride them on.

“It’s sad that Hyderabad doesn’t have the roads. I generally drive my bike on the Medchal road and that’s the only decent place,” shares Asghar Ali Khan.

Except for that one bump, Hyderabad is all set to have a Ducati showroom of its own. So, is Ducati going to bring it on this summer then?

Movies in which the Ducati was used in:

• Big Bad Wolf – 2006
• Grayson – 2004
• In the Red – 1999
• Freaky Friday – 2003
• Catwoman – 2004
• Unforgettable – 1996
• Matrix Reloaded – 2003

Championships that were won on a Ducati:

MotoGP world championship - 2007

Casey Stoner - Ducati Desmosedici GP7

Superbike World Championship - 2006

Troy Bayliss - Ducati 999

Superbike World Championship - 2008

Troy Bayliss - Ducati 1098

Superbike World Championship - 2011

Carlos Checa - Ducati 1098R

British Superbike Championship - 2008

Shane Byrne - Ducati 1098

AMA Superbike Championship - 1993

Doug Polen - Ducati 888

Tags: bike, Ducati, motorbike, Vaijayanthi Kari

Category: Automobiles, Science & Tech