Finally in what can only be described as the end to a perfect week, I sold the Hypermotard and bought the monster 1200s I’ve been drooling over since September last year!!! Never again will I try to sell a bike in the winter…it’s not worth the effort (tyre kickers, bogus dealers making “trade offers” and then the inevitable questions about why it’s been on so long). But as always with bikes, I did meet genuine/good people along the way and the guys who I struck deals with were exactly that. Both made it another excellent experience. I picked the bike up yesterday near Gatwick and had the pleasure of getting to know it for the next four hours on A’s & B’s back to Bristol. I think this one is a keeper! I love the riding position, the power delivery is awesome and the sound…what can I say! The fizzle and pop from the Spark exhaust on overrun is so fun, a real head turner. I need to do some tinkering/personalising and the belts need changing but other than that it’s perfect. I will take a decent picture to share later (with bins).
Wake up early most mornings. And I’m off out at 9am for the day on the Bayliss with my neighbour Steve. There’ll be a coffee stop in Matlock Bath around 11.30am I think Tomorrow is scrambler day and a ride up to Devils bridge and Hawes with my friend Martin
You can’t beat that new bike feeling. I’m sat here looking at hotels in France for this coming weekend, to get the running in miles on mine.
Fair enough, I’d be up early for days out like that too…but I have the kids today so will have to give them extended screen time while I tinker! Have a good ride today.
Good to read this and what with the way "stuff" is unfolding daily, really glad to see that it isn't followed by a "but". Have one also, they are great.
Done some tinkering and cleaning…kids had extensions on there extended screen time! I have put the stock levers and pedals back on, smaller reg. plate and the much needed screen protector. Another great morning! Here’s the obligatory bin pic.
Changed the belts tonight, a nice easy process on this bike. You have full access to the belts and pulleys once the covers are off because of the trellis design. I remember the belt change on the 848 being a lot more fiddly! I had one set back; one of the exhaust header studs sheared off in the head…so that’s made the job a little more challenging. Might be enough thread there to use two half nuts with some WD and heat but I expect I’ll be going to plan B.
I’d be interested to see a pic from the rear, high up, to show the stripes. They are non standard but look to be pretty much what I’ve been planning to do to mine. What year is it, 2016? Nice bike, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Hi Sam, Image below. It’s interesting you mentioned the stripe being non standard. I assumed there were “stripe options” from factory. During the disassembly and cleaning this week I became aware that it’s not a factory finish. I think it has been applied since production. Does this invalidate it’s stripe moniker? its a 2015 plate
Think 7th May will be the next time - https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/ducati-group-ride-live-event-7th-may-2022.90737/ - as it’ll be a stop on the way to Hawes for lunch
