Makers of superbikes woo Chinese women

Beijing

THERE are few things Laura Wu likes more than to take her Ducati 899 Panigale for a spin on the country roads outside Beijing. With five other high-performance motorcycles in her garage, the 35-year-old represents today's Chinese biker whom manufacturers are clambering to please.

With China's motorcycle market in decline, makers of superbikes, including Ducati Motor Holding SpA and Harley-Davidson Inc, are adding lighter, sleeker and less powerful models to their offerings, trying to appeal to well-heeled novice riders and, especially, women.