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All clean and ready to go.

Interpreting the rules for 2016/17

The last few years have seen a steady stream of new models from the world’s main bike firms but over the next 12 months or so we’re expecting to see a huge glut of new and reworked machines.

Why? A combination of economic and legislative changes are combining to create ‘perfect storm’ conditions that will simultaneously cut down a wide swathe of older models and encourage their replacement with new bikes developed to meet developments in rules and tastes.

Let’s start with the easiest element of the situation; legislation. Much was made of the European regulations on the ‘approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles’ over the painfully drawn-out process of their creation – proposals date back to 2010 and the final text was adopted in 2012 – but little mention has been made since, despite the fact they’ll significantly change many of the bikes we can currently buy.

While the actual documents make for...

BOLOGNA, Italy — Since a surprise takeover in 2012 by German automaker Volkswagen, Italian sports motorcycle maker Ducati has enjoyed an era of much-needed financial stability that it has ridden to record sales.

But don't expect Ducati bikes to start flooding the market. CEO Claudio Domenicali is focused on protecting the aura of exclusivity surrounding the brand, which is best known for its success on global racing circuits.

"We will stay a premium brand," he said recently at the company's factory and headquarters in the Borgo Panigale neighborhood of Bologna.

Ducati sold 7,400 motorcycles in June, a 60 percent increase over June 2015. And through the first half of the year, the company increased sales by 22 percent to a record 32,600 motorcycles.

This year's sales include 9,000 deliveries of the Scrambler, a new retro-styled bike aimed at customers who may not have traditionally considered buying a Ducati. Some enthusiasts have been critical of the laid-back Scrambler —...

Well its taken me over 20 years since I first saw one, but I have finally bought a 916. Its not perfect but I am well chuffed.

I would really like to show my appreciation to the members on here who have supported me the last few months,and it would be great to see you all
Saturday September 5th from 1pm onwards I would like to invite ANYONE and EVERYONE
who would like to come to our BBQ,we will be supplying the usual burgers and sausages and supplying SOME booze,there is a 24 hour Asda within walking distance if anyone wants to pick anything up......everyone is welcome to crash at ours,we even have a bit of room in the garden for camping!Also loads of room to park your bikes
The MAIN thing is though....I would LOVE everyone to turn up on their bikes if possible,I want the house to be surrounded by bikes.....and NO it's not to annoy the neighbours LOL,it's just because I'd love it and it would cheer me up no end,and I'd really like to meet and thank anyone who could make it,even if you do wimp out and end up coming in you car
I WILL NEED DEFINITE NUMBERS THOUGH (Just don't fancy living on...

Just thought I would share some pictures of my new Flamingo Corse Solo Seat- it arrived within a week & looks like it could have come from the factory. Only thing I have done is stick a Ducati Corse gel badge over their Flamingo Corse logo. Lots of colours to choose from on their website but think the white with red stripe suits mine best. Only problem was that their website was only in Italian so thank god for Google Translate!

Please read my story on JustGiving Jennifer Coates is fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Help me to raise as much money as I can for the wonderful Macmillan nurses,thanks to a great bunch here on this forum I have now doubled my target,I cannot thank you all enough But please keep giving!!!
I will be walking the beautiful Gower coastline in September,it's a 14 mile stretch.Managed to drag my hubby along last year,and have successfully managed to do it again this year!
If all of you only gave £2 my target achieved would be amazing.....c'mon get ya spare change out
And....I'm nearly at the end of my treatment too

Just returned from a 10 day jaunt on the MS. As the trip odometers are worthless, my best guess is 1,800 miles, all with a smile on my face. Had the top case and panniers filled and also had a backpack tied to the pillion.

No point in preaching to the choir about the bike...wonderful...yada, yada, yada. One interesting problem: The black plastic strip on the side that wraps to the front (Ducati) under the headlights came loose. I discovered this upon my return, however, I now know when it broke loose.

My MPG averaged 50 for the trip until I was about 300 miles from home. I passed a large truck and reached 105 mph to do so quickly. I then noticed that my MPG was reading 38-43. It remained this way all the way home. My average speed for that 300 miles was 74 MPH. MPG also was approx. 40 on the way to the dealer to get the oil changed and repair the plastic body strip. Upon leaving the dealer the MPG again returned to 50. That plastic strip is snap fitted and may come loose...

Rescued polished and painted for my workshop ..
NOODS

Buonjiorno

Just got back from a two week trip to the bike's homeland. went through Belgium, Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Italy (4 days), Switzerland, France (2 days), Belgium again then ferry to Hull via Zeebrugge. Weather was hot, very hot in fact. The highest temperature recorded on the bikes screen was 41 degrees and in the main in Italy registered 37/8 degrees! I took the plunge and rode in t-shirts and light walking trousers which was very liberating indeed!

So what about the bike? She was fully loaded in all panniers and large tank bag as well as the missus and me plus all riding gear = heavy. I have to say for the first two days of the trip I really wasn't thinking too much of the bike to be honest. Motorway through Belgium I found it to be a bit lumpy and a little lacking in roll on power. My reference here is a K1600GT that took motorway travel at a canter. The Multi was good but not great. On arrival in Luxembourg and off the motorways it felt better and more...

Be handy for nipping round to the shops for tabs and the local rag

Ottonero Cafe Racer: Vedo doppio

Details on this years rides have just been announced - Rides in England - The 2015 Distinguished Gentlemans Ride

I'll be taking part in this event this year to raise money for prostate cancer.

If you'd like to sponsor me then please do here - Terry Di Stasi - The 2015 Distinguished Gentlemans Ride

All donations would be gratefully received and put to good use!

John Hopkins confirmed as permanent rider for the remainder of the season
Hopkins replaces the injured Jakub Smrz
Smrz wishes team and Hopkins good luck for the rest of the season
John Hopkins has been today (3 August) been confirmed as the permanent rider for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati team for the rest of the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship season. Hopkins replaces the Czech rider Jakub Smrz, who was injured following a heavy crash in qualifying at Snetterton back in June. The injury to his left hand sidelined Smrz for the Knockhill, Brands Hatch and Thruxton rounds.

Hopkins, the 2011 BSB runner-up, had been drafted in to deputise for the last two rounds but with the injury to ‘Kuba’ still in question it has been decided that he will be replaced on a permanent basis by the ex-MotoGP Californian.

John Hopkins said: “I have definitely been enjoying myself with the team and there is a great atmosphere and for me it has been fantastic to come in straight away...

Picked bike up yesterday having been on a my14 1200 S Touring for two years. Loved it, and decided I could only replace it for another one.

Pete1950 met me at WM Snells (great dealer) and kindly took a few pics before we headed off to Loomies to meet a friend. Before we had even got out of Alton, I felt at home and with 8 miles on the clock I pinged it into the roundabout on A31 and all the way around...wow it felt so easy I didnt worry about the fact it had new rubber

Simply put, its as smooth as Swiss Tony and gathers speed like Usain Bolt out the blocks. The skyhook is a step forward, soft like a GS at low speed (std touring mode) but when the pace picks up taught and precise. It feels slower, bit its not, its simply smoother. And the induction roar...no need to bother with another can thanks.

By Loomies (about 12 miles) I had a tiny strip of unused rubber on the edge left and right. By fuel time at 50 miles that was gone.

I see what people mean, it pitches...

Well had my '14 abs for a year now and thought I'd give you my list of woes....
Bugger all as it happens, happy days!

Heading down to Snells Sat to pick up the new bike, looking like 4 trains (! I hate trains) as I want to ride back not take the van. Anyone around, give me a shout, may drop down to see a mate back in Gosport then back to the Cotswolds via the twistiest roads I can find!

http://ducatiforum.co.uk/donate/
Get donating you lot!

Well she's here...picked her up Saturday from Manchester and have just done over 100 frustrated miles.... she's such a tease! I can hardly believe I'm riding sensible and keeping it to around 5000rpm when all she seems to want to do is go go go ! It's like having the devil on your shoulder saying ..go on do it ! 500 miles to go then another 1000 ? I don't think I can contain myself for that long!
Compared to my skyhook 63 plate multi she feels a lot more agile, lighter, smoother as we've all said, sits lower me lower for me, feet flat to the floor as apposed to the balls of my feet previously. Hardened up the suspension a tad when I got back home as when I took off from Manchester felt very soft (default I assume) and did another 30 which felt better. The sound is so much better too... the carb gives a roar from low revs that reminds me of the Amal Carbs that I fitted to Lambretta's many years ago (sorry chaps)
Dash is just great...but I thought there would be a bit more...

Ducati UK sets records with year to date sales up by 36%
Best ever first half sales for Ducati UK

Ducati UK continues to set records with year to date sales in the UK up 36% versus 2014 at nearly 2,200 motorcycles – the best ever first half sales for the company in the UK. The second quarter was also a best ever, up 50% at over 1500 sales and June itself was confirmed as the best month for sales in the history of Ducati in the UK with more than 550 registrations.
Sales records continue to topple in 2015 with March and May being the second and third best sales months ever in the UK and follow an unprecedented level of new model introductions. First to arrive this year was the new Scrambler family, followed quickly by the new 1299 Panigale and the all-new Multistrada 1200 DVT. The limited edition Diavel Titanium and Monster Stripe versions have also contributed to this result.

Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, explained “it’s very pleasing to see our Dealerships deliver such strong...

There you go @Tobytyke ... I got it washed properly this time