Ducati update

Here's a bonus Wednesday post - enjoy it - they won't happen that often. I mean Wednesday's will keep happening, but not posts. Well, they will, but not necessarily on a Wednesday, and probably not twice in one day - I'm too old for that.

Now that that confusing wibble is out of the way, what about that Ducati?

More than 12000 km have now passed under its wheels, and there have been very few I haven't enjoyed, from commuting to enjoying some bumpy back roads.

Since my last update, I've had no problems. none that could be attributed to the bike, anyway. Unfortunately, I'm now sporting radiator and oil cooler guards. I say unfortunately because I fitted them after I replaced the  radiator at great expense. Oh well.

The OEM tyres have gone and I've been very happy with the less sporty Metzeler Z6 Roadtec Interact (where do they get these names?) tyres I have now. Plenty of grip, and more confidence inspiring when conditions are cooler.

A couple of country day trips showed that the suspension is pretty well sorted, the tyres worked, and the bike is one sweet ride. My wrists didn't break, although they did whinge a bit, and I got sore thighs about the 400 km mark - it felt more like chafing than anything else. My weight is on my thighs on this bike, not my bum, as it would be on a more upright bike. My shoulders and neck were sore the first day, but OK the next - I think it was just a matter of getting used to it after spending a lot of time on the upright GPX. 

Did I mention my son bought a CBR600R and I scored his old learner bike? It's a bit of a dunger these days, but great for commuting, small, easy to ride, and good on fuel (25 km/l). Helps keep the Ducati's mileage down as well, and to be frank, it's a better commuter (surprise, surprise), even if it's not as much fun.

The 848 just sticks to the road, goes and stops beautifully, and I don't have any regrets about not getting the 1098 or Monster 1100.

Best bike I've ever owned? Ooh, that's a toughie - I did love my LeMans MkII, but the Ducati is better in every respect - as it should be, being nearly 30 years younger. The Falco was good, but the Ducati is better, and it's the best Ducati I've ever owned - maybe not as much character as a bevel, but much more reliable. It's even better looking than than that intermittent 750SS.

Yep, I think it is. Check back with me in another year.

Don't you hate that?

There I was, when I had a brilliant idea for my blog. Words were building themselves into poetry in my head, exciting passions, provoking deep thoughts, and just waiting to pour down the intertubes to your computer. Well, you know how if you walk with an over full cuppa you usually spill some? I must have slipped over as well, because the words have spilled out.

I can see some of the words laying on the floor, and occasionally I can make them into tantalising fragments of what might have been. It's depressing, very depressing. I'm sure it was a brilliant idea, and you'd have loved reading it.

Oh well, maybe another day.