G'Day and Welcome. Wish I was there too with the thought of summer being on its way. Watch out for a Pom on a Gixer 1000 and a rapid Kiwi on a Repsol Blade, they sometimes sneak over the hill from Tauranga for a cold one at the Oki Pub. I was over at Easter staying with Colin the Gixer rider. I can recommend the 851 for NZ roads as one of Colin's mates lent me one on a previous trip. You must be about in the middle of the dealers at Hamilton and Tauranga so I guess it depends which one is the better ride to get there. Enjoy your Ducati.
Hi mr 98 SPS,Cool name,outstanding bike. Yea I'm about half way,back roads to Hamilton are fun,through Scotsmans valley,and up and over the Kaimais to Tauranga. Will look out for your mates next time I'm at the OKI. Most of the Ducatis up for sale are in Auckland or Wellington will be off for a nice ride when the weather gets better(gone a bit soft since living in nz.rode my TL1000s all year in morecambe uk) I'm just over 6ft the 851 I found comfy,but haven't rode a 916,996, yet so I am leaving it to my wrists neck etc to decide.No probably will end up with the uncomfy one,remember going to the NEC show nov 1994.So it will be a day to remember with my first 916 ride.Hows your SPS?
Summer on the way here is a nice thought. Having a Ducati to ride is even better.Should of got one instead of the Triple but thought I'd fly the flag for a few years(being a pom and all that):Smug: What's your ride?
Hey Bro. God created motorcycles.. then created Aotearoa! In a past life I was a kiwi.. My mum warned me of the poms with their warm beer... but I didnt listen!!! I Moved to the UK about 15 years back and now ended up in Cheshire, UK. (Someone told me there was great weather over here in the UK so I moved over here (musta been an april fools joke!!!!!!!!!)). Anyhow... for my sins Im still here ..... so had to buy a Ducati to keep sane. I used to own a few trumpies, ... welcome to the club, you cant go wrong with the great advice on these forums. Do you want to go for a more modern practical 848 or 1098 or a classic 916 massimo design. U If I ever move back home.. Im shipping my 998 back with me. Rode a 1098S which was beautiful.... Hope you find what you are after Welcome!
Thanks Bro, Yea old school defo,but will ride a modern duke just to have the pleasure.There is a nice 998 fore sale here but it's in Christchurch,but have heard one is being imported from japan to.Carbon garage in Auckland is a cool place,have a google at it.Do you ever ride up to Devils bridge at Kirkby Longsdale,I use to love that place.
Hi Gav. Nah not done that ride yet. Its only about an hour away so will be sure to do it and report back! Do you fancy the Massimo design or something newer? I must admit the 1098 is a much more comfortable to ride than a 998, however the 998 has something that brings a smile to my face just looking at it in the garage. Depends what floats your boat. Carbon Garage looks alright there in Newmarket. Guess you would have to try to order something in? Used to own a 68 Bonnie, then a 2003 Triumph Daytona 955i, then a TT600, then a Norton Commando, then a ZX7R, then a Ducati... then I stopped buying bikes. Im in love!
Yeah the Massimo design takes some beating but so does the terblanche,tamburini 851,888 so much character,it certainly gets in your blood eh! Bloody Ducatis truly a addiction.
Don't listen to your wrists and neck, they will get used to it. That's what I keep telling mine after nearly 18 years of 916 ownership. Bought a Biposto in '97, 45,000 miles later we had a meeting with a Range Rover in 2004, written off, but not severely damaged so it was sold for trackday duties. Got the SPS in 2005 with 10,000 on the clock, just turned it over 43,000 miles on tonight's ride. More power, better shock (Ohlins), & close ratio gearbox are the most noticeable differences to the Bip. Best Mods - Double Bubble Screen, DP Rearsets, +2 teeth on the back sprocket. It looks great with the minimal TPG era graphics, the available performance is well in excess of my abilities, and it makes me smile every time I look at it or ride it.
