Not sure when i can get over to Italy to see the proper museum, have we anything in Britain to wet the appetites?
The biggest collection of Ducati Race bikes outside of Italy, anywhere in the world, can be found at Beaulieu Beaulieu National Motor Museum, House and Garden in the New Forest down in Dorset. These are some pics I look then I was there in 2011 The Sammy Miller museum is pretty close too. Would make a nice day out
im for misano this summer with several other families and cant talk anyone into traveling up to the museum.....grr
Go by yourself. These things are best to do alone, rather than dragging someone round, who doesn't want to be there.
Insist on going by yourself and steadfastly refuse to take the wife/kids. After a while they will be complaining because you won't take them to stuff. Then it becomes plain sailing.
Looks worth a visit! Hows the Birmingham bike museum doing these days since the fire? any dukes in there?
the bikes at Beaulieu are no longer on display, the James Bond display took the space, not sure if they will return, and yes they were the rear deal but as with all race bikes a few bits missing.
Can confirm the dukes have gone from beaulieu, have been there many times and last summer they all disappeared.
The National Motorcycle Museum is okay. There are loads and loads of bikes in there, which can be a bit overwhelming. Very few, if any Ducatis, its mainly old BSAs, Matchless and Triumphs (including the TT winners)
The Birmingham bike museum is almost entirely Brit iron from what I remember - certainly don't recall any Ducatis when we went a couple of years ago. Particularly memorable were the Brough Superiors and the little plastic Chinese takeaway tubs under almost every bike to catch the oil spills.
The Birmingham Bike Museum is awesome. It is all Brit metal, but stunning machines and shows the evolution of motor cycle design and innovation. Well worth a visit. Also, I believe that each year they have one or two bike meets at which they get out some of the exhibits out and fire them up! I will try to get more details and let you know. In terms of the fire, the place was absolutely devastated, but remarkably they have either restored the exhibits to their former glory or found replacements. We should all go and visit, it is our motorcycling heritage. Maybe we could meet there in the spring/summer, combine a ride out with a visit to the museum. Anyone up for it?
The fire was in 2003, so it been pretty much covered :smile: It's Back! National Motorcycle Museum Reopens Year After Fire | Culture24
