What makes a bicycle so expensive? - eviltoast

There are some brands of bicycles that can cost more than the down payment on a car. Why? Surely making a bike lightweight and reliable isn’t so difficult that it warrants that price? Is it just the brand name or maybe it has to do with customization options?

  • LucyLastic@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Yeah, nah, Ducatis are like the carbon road bikes of the motorcycle world - all about dick waving. A little while back one of the larger YouTube channels took the latest Ducati to a track and put it up against a cheap 7 year old Suzuki, and the Suzuki was still faster … and if you buy a Japanese sport bike it’s not going to have the mechanical problems of a Ducati either.

    Source: I have owned, ridden, repaired and raced a lot of motorbikes, including some fast-ish ones.

    • Hyperreality@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      I think I watched that video. Ducati Panigale vs a GSX-R?

      Not just about dick waving. The Ducati was prettier and Italian.

      From what I know of cars, that means it was more reliable than something Japanese, because they replaced breakdowns and technical issues with temparement and character. Because humans are irrational, that’s not unlikely to cause the user to anthropomorphise their overpriced but technically flawed vehicle. (“She sometimes gets stuck in 3rd, you need to be gentle.”)

      • LucyLastic@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        That’s the one.

        It’s all just horseshit, if you want a motorbike with character, get a classic one. Hell, even my '82 Montesa manages to be reliable, yet has character out the wazoo.