What Started You On Your Ducati Journey?

I see @Exige came round to look at your Yamaha then.

 

I'm not saying it's ugly but I prefer the 999 shape.

 

Yeah, but you are upside down, so your opinion doesn't count.

 

A mate said I should get my licence via the DAS scheme, bought my first 696 from Ducati Carlisle (via internet whilst on holiday) as inspiration and passed my test on my 48th Birthday 3 years ago, I’m on my 7th ducati since and now settled on the 1260 and cafe racer

 

It must be that bush in front of you distorting your view

 

I s those builders left some hardcore behind in that lawn of yours

 

My Ducati journey started this year, in fact it started just over a month ago in the middle of November. Over the years I’ve always fancied a Ducati butnits never materialised. I’m a massive fan of Troy Bayliss and after watching him this season in the asbk it sparked a huge desire for a Ducati.

So in November I headed to the dealers to look at a gen 3 S1000rr and ended up walking away with the 1299s, now I had been looking at the 1299 for a few weeks but decided that the gen 3 made sense financially, that went out the window as soon as I seen the 1299 and whilst talking over the 1299 someone came in and purchased the gen 3, so I took that as a sign.

The whole experience was awesome, being shown around the dealership, a bike has never made me feel as giddy as the 1299 does, that in itself makes me know the decision to go Ducati was the correct one.

 

Especially monster riding ones


Funny how many start with swapping with a mate., THat used to be common place, but these days seems far less so.

 

I think Dave's onto something!!

 

Hailwoods victory on the Island started me off. Bought a new bevel 900SS on my 19th birthday in 1980 and had Ducatis ever since.

 

Don't entirely disagree with this.

 

Doug Polen poster on the wall of the room I shared with my big brother.
Couple years later his 888 was parked in the garage and I was hooked.

 

It was the 888 that did it for me...I didn't even have a licence at 17, but used to go into M&S on Westgate hill Newcastle-upon-Tyne and drool over the Ducatis...promised myself one day...! Finally bought a mint 900ss (97) about 8 years ago...and just stepped up to a 999 this year...will never sell the ss though..amazing bikes for the road!

 

First “hook” to Ducati’s was a mates 900 Darma back in the 80’s, at 16 years old and riding a fizzie a spin on the back was epic.... fast forward to 1993 and the newly launched monster caught my eye... when I passed my test a ZX 600 was bought but then a small independent Ducati specialist opened up in Winchester, thought it’d be worth a look, came out the owner of a 1993 900 Monster which I still have. 3 or 4 more Dukes later, Wilf made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and a Monster 1200R arrived. So, actually I blame Wilf! Loved every minute of ownership pics below

Ped

 

Seems like a common theme, they're worse than crack dealers these Ducati shops...

 

Owned this as well a few years ago, ex Ducati Uk bike (Tim Macabee’s) With a bucket load of everything added, dyno’d at just under 100bhp after DWR mapped it, loads of other bling... regretted selling it until I bought the 12R

 

Watched the launch of the 916 back in 1993 at the N.E.C,love the 900ss/888 etc and the first ducati ride was in 2001 on a 996S at P&H motorcycles,visited the factory/museum that same year,located and purchased the 916 sps in 2013/2014....................enough said

 

Rode my mates X reg 600 Pantah in 82 i think? That was it, had to wait till 85 when i could afford a 650 Alazzurra... Rest is history...

 

Pissed up at 13 years old in surfers paradise and saw/heard a Ducati for the first time.
I’m
Half Italian also so reckons it’s in the blood.
They became iconic to me as did Pamela Anderson in baywatch. Had to have one.