Ducati to Bring Riding School, Owners' Group to India Soon

Following the success of Harley-Davidson and more recently Indian Motorcycle, Ducati is now planning to set up an Owners’ Group in India. In addition, to increase the brand’s popularity and customer base in the country, the Italian bike maker has plans to bring a Riding School here, as well. These ideas are part of the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) programme that began in 2003. It aims towards improving the rider’s skills aboard Ducati motorcycles. While the Owners’ Group is still an idea, the Riding School is expected to open this year.

The Desmo Owners Club (a Worldwide Ducati Owners Group) will be the next priority after setting up the Riding School. Perks of being a member of this group will include a chance to participate at discounted rates in events such as World Ducati Week (WDW), Ducati Riding Experience (DRE), EICMA and free tours of Ducati’s factory and museum.

Speaking about Ducati’s future plans in India, Ravi Avalur, MD, Ducati India, said, "We want to set up a riding school. I will say it's a work in progress. We are moving slowly but steadily. Question is finding the right venues, training the right instructors so I can't put a precise timeline to that but I would say very soon." He added, "We are planning a road show programme for India where we take our bikes to the far corners of the country, towns to showcase the products where it may not be feasible to have a dealership yet but where there’s certainly Ducati enthusiasts."

The company has recently launched the 959 Panigale in India at Rs. 14.04 lac (ex-showroom, Delhi). Deliveries for the now discontinued 899 Panigale’s replacement will begin in July this year. Alongside the 959, Ducati also showcased Hyperstrada, Scrambler, Multistrada and Diavel at the recently concluded India Bike Week (IBW) 2016.

The introduction of the Riding School and Owners’ Group may increase the interest of Indian biking enthusiasts towards Ducati motorcycles. Moreover, bringing more models and increasing the number of Ducati dealerships in the country might help the manufacturer increase its foothold in the country’s growing superbike market. Even after all this, the question of whether Ducati will be able to convert its fan base into its customer base remains unanswered.

 Stay tuned for more updates on Ducati India. Keep Reading and Riding!

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