Just saw the "Lifan Hunter" which is such a blatant copy of the Ducati Scrambler that I think it's not even funny anymore. They took the base bike of the Icon, seat/tail from the Classic and exhaust from the Full Throttle. Cheapy-fied it and put a 125cc engine in it. If I were Ducati, I'd be a bit pissed off.

 

I bit of copying can be good for evolution but imho in this instance, it's just too much.

 

 

Here the Ducati original:

 

Personally I think many copies, this included, are not really a problem.

 

Because how many people will buy that bike instead of a Ducati? If someone wants a Ducati and can afford one then he won't buy a copy.

And if the person can't afford a Ducati then he will buy something different. Maybe something that looks a little like a Ducati or maybe something totally different. He just can't afford a Ducati.

 

Summary: What does Ducati lose? Nothing!

 

13 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Personally I think many copies, this included, are not really a problem.

 

Because how many people will buy that bike instead of a Ducati? If someone wants a Ducati and can afford one then he won't buy a copy.

And if the person can't afford a Ducati then he will buy something different. Maybe something that looks a little like a Ducati or maybe something totally different. He just can't afford a Ducati.

 

Summary: What does Ducati lose? Nothing!

 

I think especially in Thailand most Ducatis are sold because the buyers want to show off with it.

So for Ducati to sell bikes a very important point is to have a unique look, so that also when somebody who is not too much into bikes sees it, knows that this is a Ducati.

If there is now a cheap copy available which is so close that many people can not tell the difference when they see it driving by it might affect potential buyers to not buy the Ducati. In this case Ducati is losing money.

13 minutes ago, jackdd said:

I think especially in Thailand most Ducatis are sold because the buyers want to show off with it.

So for Ducati to sell bikes a very important point is to have a unique look, so that also when somebody who is not too much into bikes sees it, knows that this is a Ducati.

If there is now a cheap copy available which is so close that many people can not tell the difference when they see it driving by it might affect potential buyers to not buy the Ducati. In this case Ducati is losing money.

Let's take another example, real and fake Rolex.

I am sure many people are able to spot the difference - at least people who buy the original Rolex.

Would you show up at an event with lots of rich people with a fake Rolex and maybe a fake Louis Vuitton bag? I guess that would be the fastest way to be excluded from that club.

And I guess with bikes it's similar. Who would like to join some Ducati riders with a fake?

"Chinese copies, when is it too much? "

When they start making a copy of me. 

8 hours ago, eisfeld said:

Just saw the "Lifan Hunter" which is such a blatant copy of the Ducati Scrambler that I think it's not even funny anymore.

I've not seen that one. Thanx. I think it's really well done. I've seen their Monster version and their new Panigale version (fully faired) and again, really well done.

I do think it's funny. They'll never sell, or should I say, never be allowed to sell in Europe so it doesn't really matter.

Don't forget, these bikes are 125cc horizontal 8-9 bhp 4 stroke singles. Not 75-125 bhp v (sorry L) twins They will not take one sale from a prospective Ducati buyer who is interested in the real McCoy, be it a Scrambler, Monster or Panigale.

C'mon, this ain't harming Ducati sales, maybe it's free advertising for future punters.

Completely different market.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

If I was a 15-16 y/o spotty Thai teenager who liked Ducatis, i'd want one. Badly.

Certainly, this and the Monster copy make the Grom/MSX, Kawasaki KSR/Z et al look rather sad.

Yes.

Easily confused for a Ducati.

By some.

11 hours ago, papa al said:

Yes.

Easily confused for a Ducati.

By some.

It's not red and it doesn't have a trellis frame - it can't be a Ducati ?

 

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

It's not red and it doesn't have a trellis frame - it can't be a Ducati ?

 

I think you are describing one of those 300cc Benelli's. Red and a trellis frame. That would be my choice of a cheap copy Ducati

 

It's definitely wrong, but I don't think they take sales from Ducati. I actually like the new GPX 150GR (the Panigale copy shown below) and was considering one for the gf. I don't think anyone who was seriously considering a real Ducati would not buy it because one of these was available.

 

It can get confusing though. Pulled up next to one of these at the lights on my 899. Wasn't sure whether to give him "the nod" or not ?

 

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

It can get confusing though. Pulled up next to one of these at the lights on my 899. Wasn't sure whether to give him "the nod" or not ?

Just rev your engine a little and smile at him. Maybe he wants to race you. ?

 

nod.

...nod and smile...then on the pegs..

 

Seen in isolation. they look nice, but unless you've got very short legs you will look a bit silly - like those guys riding Yamaha RXs and Kawasaki GTOs with their knees splayed out. Not a problem on my Yamaha TZM, but if I was to trade up (?) to a Stallions Buccaneer or GPX Gentleman, I might look the same. BTW any local owner reviews on those two - in English?