|
|
 |
Torrid Romance
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Ducati SportClassic GT1000
David Morris
07/01/2006
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Classic beauty compels the discarding of facile thoughts.
Answering the market’s current desire for naked retro-style motorcycles,
Ducati’s latest effort exhibits a profound respect for the esthetic and
performance benchmarks it set in the 1970s with its coveted bevel-drive 750 GT
and Sport models. The interlacing of traditional Ducati DNA with a 21st century
perspective is embodied in the new SportClassic GT1000.
 RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Ducati SportClassic by Cromwell
Sunglasses:
Ducati Monster Dog
Jacket: Ducati Historical
Gloves: Ducati
Classic
Boots: Ducati Travel. (Click image to enlarge)
Bred in the
Emilia-Romagna region that is home to rolling sculptures emblazoned with the
prancing horse of the House of Savoia, the offspring of the Ducati brothers
share the birthright of pedigree with their four-wheeled cousins from Maranello.
The factory and its museum enshrine the 60 years of championship machines and
heroic individuals who have led this David in the battle against the Goliaths of
the motorcycle world. A visit to Bologna, therefore, which the Italians sanctify
as the gastronomic center of the universe, is a pilgrimage where one best savors
the sapore at the core of every Ducatista’s passion for the brand.
Pulling
up to the factory gate on the Via Cavalieri Ducati in the Borgo Panigale prefect
of the city, one is immediately overcome by the ambiance, thick with the flavor
of legend. Given the legacy of the firm’s revered roadsters, the current team of
designers and engineers were challenged to visibly raise the game. It was
decreed that simply copying the past was not an option; anything less than a
contemporary level of technical excellence would be unacceptable. “We would
never dream of building a motorcycle whose technical shortcomings would be
passed off as ‘character’,” my hosts explain. The challenge is addressed by not
one, but a family of motorbikes, each a specific modulation of the sporting soul
of the marque. The previously unveiled Sport1000 and the Paul Smart Edition aim
to satisfy devotees of the company’s racing bloodline. The GT, on the other
hand, is crafted with a dolce vita approach.
 In preparation for my
date with this new thoroughbred, the director of the Museo Ducati has walked me
through the machine’s genesis with a passionate description that reminds you
this creature could only be fashioned by Italians. The emotion is justified with
the first look. This is charisma rendered in metal. As one is seduced by its
proportions, it is clear this motorcycle is more than just a ride. The Ducati
GT1000 is made to be worn—a glove that fits the body and caresses the road. (Click image to enlarge)
The mid-morning skies are clear. Mounting a red GT fresh from its technical
inspection, I am stunned by how light and comfortable it feels. This is a
company that also makes world-class Grand Prix bikes.
Project Engineer
Federico Sabbioni described the GT’s evolution: “From the full-scale model, we
worked closely with our trusted suppliers to develop components specifically for
this model. Our traditional trellis frame provides high torsional rigidity with
optimal levels of strength and weight saving. The GT1000 has undergone some of
our most rigorous test sessions ever at the Nardo track where Ferrari, Maserati,
BMW and Porsche all test their machinery.”
Ducati’s ability to constantly
refine its signature elements over the years allows it to match style and
substance. The GT1000 is lean muscle clothed in subtlety and elegance. The use
of chrome is judicious. Fit and finish are exemplary. Easy-reach bars, ergonomic
pegs, and a wide padded seat welcome the prospect of a daylong excursion. The
scalloped tank and side covers invite the rider to embrace its flanks.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
