Pierre Terblanche Interview

Pierre Terblanche is the most famous living motorcycle designer and in this interview goes in-depth about his time at Ducati, modern motorcycle design, the award-winning BST concept bike and behind the scenes in the world of motorcycle design.
Note: we reposted this video yesterday with a slightly different ending. Apologies for the confusion.

[@sburns2421]

Bought a 999 new, sold it, then re-bought the exact bike back from its fourth owner a few years later. Functionally, the bike is the best Ducati superbike I have owned. Have newer and older, faster and slower, but it strikes a great balance for the real world. It will eventually be appreciated for sure. Let it also be remembered that the 999 has one of the best records in WSBK, dominating in '03-04. It was also the only twin to beat fours when all were 1000cc (some Ducati haters would say these were the only "fair" championships won by the brand). IMO a 999 in race trim also looks the best of any of the Ducati racers. In hindsight PT really didn't have a chance at Ducati. Non-Italian in the role of chief designer would always mean resistance IMO. Trying to follow up an icon in the 916 and the revered Tamburini meant he was stepping into very big shoes. 851 restyle of "92, Supermono, ST2, 900ss restyle of '98, MH900e, 999, Multistrada, and Hypermotard...today these bikes vary from revered in their own right to cult following appreciated by connoisseurs.

[@Surestick88]

The 999 design has really grown on me recently. I think that says a lot about his design language being ahead of the curve. The only Ducati of his I have a problem with is the Super Sport that was _so_ close to the achingly gorgeous Supermono but missed the mark by so much.

[@ederjesus4292]

I own my 999s a month ago. My dream bike since i remember to watch grandprix racing. Now i cant ride beacause we are in Quarentine here in Portugal. Very cool interview. Love this channel

[@dumberfeet]

amazing interview that show his train of thought!!! I want more!!!!

[@alexstern2444]

must say to mr.Terblanche-beauty is in the eye of the beholder,but for me 999 is the most beautiful piece of art created by man ! (especially 03/04 with the air horn holes) only one stand close is mv f4/f3 and F16 : )

[@davealston3881]

Very good. Chilled guy ! Not too many interruptions 👍

[@philip5798]

Your best work to date. Thanks guys! You shouldn't have cut him short though, we wanted to hear more! Especially regarding the 999.

[@Rgh71fish]

Yea, they cut the interview off right when it got interesting. I would have loved to hear more on the ducati end of things, not electric bikes🥱

[@mathiashammar1]

What a brilliant man. Respect !

[@mujtabakamal]

Terblanche sir he's legend. This is one of the best episode of bike show. Amazing amazing amazing

[@steveoliver177]

Amazing designer. Great to hear it from his perspective

[@luisgaspar3041]

what an inspiration this interview, thank you very much!

[@5420simon]

Brilliant and extremely interesting interview

[@WillPower46]

That is the first electric bike that interests me. Very impressive.

[@Pillokun]

Such an enjoyable interview.. Pierre is my kind of guy, that is for sure. My biggest gripe with the 999 was the early swingarm the dash, but now hearing about the head lights it makes sense, but to be frank now in 2020 it does not look that bad at all.

[@jamesfisher1827]

Great episode, very interesting man!

[@HyperSpaz]

...but where is Harry?

[@amsd1231]

sportclassic is still my dream bike.

[@michaelkork3197]

We would love to see the initial designs of the 999. If you remove the top headlight it’s actually a totally different bike. I own two of his bikes, an MH900e and a Sport Classic and I must say the design decisions on each one are unique. Nothing is done unintentional. It’s a shame he doesn’t gets asked about the classics which were again ahead of their time, like the air fins on the 999 and the open tail on the guzzi designs.

[@user-bp2wh7cq2s]

I can feel how much he love what he did. Very excited to see how it ride！

[@dogrange]

This bike looks great, I would buy one if it is at all competitively priced.

[@splodge5714]

Aw what happened to Harry? Not a word about him.

[@matdurrans3361]

Left under a dark cloud, that he brought into play. Sad, but he's gone. Forever. We are more disappointed than you, but some things cannot be forgiven.

[@lefaphakoane7549]

I wish RSA would have helped people like sir Pierre we would have been somewhere ,may God bless and keep him for me .

[@dhaninel7902]

That’s a beautiful bike. I like the sounds too.

[@browneyesjesus]

Looks badass

[@Foolsnflowers]

Well done, Pierre! Rena & Kelvin Naylor (Zeelie)

[@tomeklevy14]

i would use cluch lever just to turn off recuperation

[@Surestick88]

@2:49 Funny, I was thinking the thing it looks most like is an old BMW boxer twin cafe racer conversion. The style where the engine and drive sit under the tank with a gap between them.

[@gameland1908]

Pierre Terblanche👍 Ducati 999

[@glenno1331]

19:54 in the clear LED tail lense slews down. What is the story there?

[@runalongnowhoney]

Why is the motor longitudinal? Potentially torque reaction, plus the added weight of gear to turn the output into alignment with the rear wheel. The whole package is very enticing, just curious about the power train issues.

[@subarashi-sama6309]

this guy made the bike of my dreams

[@apriliacaponord5001]

what a legend ....

[@lefaphakoane7549]

I know the gentleman personally he paid for my school fees cash ,but I can't get hold of him now to thank him personally 😭

[@stefanofieni1915]

The Genius!!! 💙

[@j4zzx297]

Thats one beautiful bike, but dont see a production version being under £10k. If it was it would be a instant sucess

[@jeffhopkins8131]

Is it just me or has Pierre been influenced by the design of this Bike by the look of his very first bike, the Honda ss50? very similar lines to me.

[@janra8653]

The first good looking electric bike IMHO

[@NisseOhlsen]

But, Pierre, why put the damper in the swing arm? You want to reduce unsprung mass, not increase it.

[@space.youtube]

He still sounds a bit salty over the 999. Comes across a bit prickly, surly even. Ps The problem with the 999 wasn't the headlamps or the swingarm so much as the ugly exhaust.

[@Rgh71fish]

To be honest, there was never a problem with the 999. The only "problem" was some peoples' perception of what the bike should have looked like, skewed by their love affair with the 916. I got into Ducati knowing only the 999, and having never seen any of their earlier bikes. To me, it was perfect from day one, and I'm now on my second one. They are sublime machines in every way, from tip to tail as well as the ride itself.

[@outsourcetous9335]

Although this electric motorcycle is a new phenomenon in the generation of motorcycles, but it has errors in the design and aerodynamics. Can you find out these mistakes? out2us.com

[@jpmorgen5726]

Better reengineer that belt drive...

[@timfarley274]

Pierre's best work was a blank sheet of paper. Your tastes are utterly terrible. Cold truth.

[@alanbstard4]

motorcycles are looking ugly. No more of that high tail shit