1975 Ducati 860 V-Twin - 6-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article

Description

1975 Ducati 860 V-Twin - 6-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
■ AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIASTS
won’t have any trouble remember-
ing what was done to some of their
favorite marques under the guise of
plushness, comfort and luxury. . .
not to mention federal emission
laws. We watched classics like the
two-seater T-Bird turn into lumber-
ing rhinos carting their heart-
attack-prone. paunchy owners back
and forth to their high-level office
buildings. Z28 Camaros were axed into oblivion after turning
into cramped, nothing cars with racing stripes. Even the
almighty Corvette can barely outrun a kid going downhill on a
well-oiled skateboard these days. The few enthusiast automo-
biles left come from foreign lands, and they too suffer from
controls and regulations that add to their cost and take away
much of their soul.
We’ve seen this all come about within the past 10
years. . .at first gradually, then with a sudden swoop. So in the
backs of our minds we keep asking ourselves. “Could this
happen to our motorcycles?”
The answer, of course, is yes. We see it happening very
gradually with certain models already, but they are machines
from which one almost expects it. But when a pure macho
two-wheeler like the Ducati gets turned over to an automotive
stylist to become civilized, and heads in the direction of
mundane, we get worried. But let’s take a gander at what
might have led up to the new 860.
Berliner and ZDS Motors, Ducati distributors in the U.S..,
have always maintained a low profile, both by choice and by
the necessity that a lack of production capabilities creates.
Then, too, a great majority of this Italian company’s produc-
tion never leaves Europe. Ducati is one outfit that believes in
filling the pipeline before looking for other markets.
Initially, Ducati offered lightweight motorcycles for both
street and dirt riders. As with any small operation with a
limited dealer network, the success of its bikes was a relative
thing. Then for the last several years Ducati has limited itself
to the manufacture of big-bore street bikes, only recently
priming itself for the big plunge back into the lightweight field
(see “Round Up”).
Of course, the large-capacity V-Twins are the bikes receiv-
ing most of the attention (and praise) from various journalistic
sources. In fact, the handling characteristics have become
legendary—if you believe everything you read and hear. These
bikes are even claimed to be the epitome of the performance-
oriented two-wheel set!
The Ducati craze started in the early ‘70s. In 1972 the
Desmo Twins piloted by Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggari
swooped the Imola (Italy) 200-mile road race. From this point
on, the Ducati’s reputation as a fine road-holding motorcycle
with a dynamite engine spread like wild fire. Afterall, this was
the first time in many years that something non-Japanese had
won a major race meet; it must be good. In addition to that,
there was a certain mystique about the bike; style, charisma,
call it what you will. . .it was neat.
14032-AL-7507-08 RL- d75ga11