MotorcycleUSA.com has published a Euro Gossip article with some nifty Ducati Rumors, specifically claiming that traction-control systems developed for the GP bikes will find their way into the production line by ‘07.
The highlights are quoted below;
Ducati are currently working on a traction-control system for road bikes that could be seen in production as soon as 2007, according to Claudio Domenicali, the head of product development for the Bologna-based firm. Apparently the GP-developed system has already had extensive testing on the road and has been well received.
Domenicali also confirmed that work is in progress to produce a more powerful Testastretta engine to enable them to compete with the Japanese in Superbike racing. The changes are likely to be around making it smaller and more compact, as well as revving far higher than at present.
Unconfirmed, though, is that the 999 is getting a makeover for 2007 in an effort to get more sales. The bike has never got the fanatical following of the seminal 916 and needs to appeal to a greater audience, so this does make sense, although some feel that the Monster range is now the core business and all efforts should be concentrated there.
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Yamaha has a customer survey to do with their new VMax concept bike. One of the questions has to do with how much you value certain features and traction control is on the list with ABS, linked brakes, and whatnot.