Maybe it’s me. I just can’t get excited about $40K motorcycles. I’ve seen the uber-offerings from Harley’s Custom Vehicle Operations (kind of sounds military, doesn’t it?) and that supercharged Kawasaki a few years ago. Those are and were priced in the stratosphere, too. The whole thing just reeks of people who have more money than brains. Way more. Like I said, maybe it’s just me.
The latest obscenely expensive bit of garage jewelry comes from Ducati in the form of the 2022 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2. It’s that rattle-can primer gray Ducati you see in the photo above. The Panigale V4 SP2 is an enhanced version of the V4 SP that shaves a bit over two pounds off the weight of the motorcycle. Can two pounds really make a difference? Yes, Ducati and the magazine writers breathlessly exclaim, if it’s two pounds taken from the right places.
Give me a break.
Especially give me a break when you consider the dilettantes who buy these machines. I’ve seen them up on Angeles Crest Highway in the parking lot at Newcomb’s. They are the same types who add carbon fiber bits and pieces to their Gixxers. Most of them, like me, are afflicted with Dunlap’s Disease (you know, when your belly done lapped over your belt buckle), so the point of shaving a few ounces here and there off the motorcycle is lost on me. Skip a meal, dude. Get to the gym. You’ll accomplish more.
So, I’ll set my benchmark: A $40K motorcycle that costs $40K because it has a miniscule amount of extra horsepower and weighs 2.2 pounds less than the standard model…well, that’s too much. You don’t need to spend stupidly (I can think of no other word) to buy a motorcycle you can have a lot of fun with. But that’s a topic for another blog.
Stay tuned.
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I have no facts or figures to back this up, but I imagine that these buyers are investors, collectors or as you so eloquently point out, dilettantes. The guys and gals that can truly appreciate these machines are already sponsored by Ducati, Aprilia, Honda et al.
Good inputs, George. Thanks for commenting.
With plain old work trucks running $50,000, $40K for a bike that could win Superbike races 5 years ago isn’t too bad. I just don’t need a bike that can win Superbike races.
And I don’t need a $50K pickup truck. You could buy a dozen used Sportsters for that kind of money!
On the other hand I just tried to buy a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and the dealership wants $2000 over list. We live in weird times! I would be happy to add 2.2 pounds to my midline and pay a thousand dollars less! I was turned on to Exhaust Notes after you road bikes from Janus Motorcycles. Maybe I should “belly up” to Janus!
You will want to pick up the next issue of Motorcycle Classics magazine.
I would find it impossible for me to pay msrp let alone a “market adjustment” over msrp. I bought my 2013 Honda Accord Sport well under msrp but if in 2033 (I keep cars 20 years) they want to pull “market adjustment” shenanigans on me I’ll tell them to pound sand. I really like the Janus but can’t do the 30 odd horsepower or spoked wheels. And I agree with Joe, buying used bikes, especially if you make them mechanically perfect, makes them special.
Well my post, read back by me, seams a little snarky. Didn’t mean to offend anyone or be too critical of anyone trying to make a living selling motorcycles. My post was a feeble attempt to make a joke about my own midline not to offend! Keeping an open mind to smaller displacement bikes lead me to Janus, RE and others.
Janus was always my first choice but of course, the RE INT 650 has handsome lines and I thought I would check them out. Bottom line is I did more research. I drove to Goshen and test road the Halcyon 450. Weight to power ratio is great and more importantly the bike is nimble with a very comfortable riding position. Perfect bike for the farm roads that I will ride but punchy enough to hit the highway if needed. Yes, I ordered one without reservation. The folks at Janus are great! They build wonderful bikes! The larger lesson learned here by me was to keep and open mind to smaller displacements. Thanks Joe!
Mike
Hey, that’s great. You are going to love your new motorcycle.
I, too, was very impressed with the Janus team.
Watch for the next issue of Motorcycle Classics. When you get it, go straight to Page 28.
Will do!
i agree. its not motorcycling.
The best and most fun motorcycles I’ve ever owned are the ones that cost the least.