In no particular order... For me it's all the noises my bike makes, from the glorious booming of the termis, the dry clutch rattle, the way the brakes hiss and the fuel injection that sounds like a pair of budgies having sex!!! Every time someone asks me what I ride, they always say WOW when I say a Ducati, and finally even my wife (who hates motorcycles) thinks the s4r is a thing of beauty. All of the above really does it for me ;-)
I've always wanted a Ducati since the 90's. I fell in love with the 916, then the 996, 998. Being a fan of Foggy too helped. Then Hodgson and Toseland on the 999 (with FILA livery).. Passed my bike test in 2003 and looked all over for one, but it was too expensive to get even a 748 for me.. So I got a spanking new CBR600RR and loved that but always hankered for a Duke. Always loved winding the car windows down on the way to the coast when we were in the car as I saw a Duke coming the other way. It's taken me 13 years to get onto the red marque and after buying my Multistrada last August, I ABSOLUTELY love it. As is mentioned in the OP, just looking at the thing makes me smile. Then the noise is just intoxicating when she's started up. Now, the sheer power, stability on the road just makes me feel 10 feet tall when I'm out riding. I'm not a knee down man and never have been, I'm not a speed freak either, but it just fills me with confidence, joy and even typing this... I'm grinning my head off.
Last weekend for the first time in ages I lifted the cover off my Panigale. God it was like lifting up Kylie Monogue's skirt! Happy? Smile? Understatement? I just had to swing my leg over and sit on it on the paddock stands. I have to admit to quietly saying, 'Oooh I've missed you'. That's a damn good reason for owning a Ducati. However, the single best reason, is riding it.
Knowing how it sounds when you blast past cars and pedestrians etc. A Ducati fly-by at full chat is just amazing. The feeling I get when I walk out of the petrol station and see her ready and waiting to go. I've had an SP1 and RSV Factory but never had the same connection about their ownership.
My rsv4 is equal I'd say.... The sound of a v4 going through the quickshifter is literally music to my ears... Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Oh god where do I start The colour the feel the shape the joy when you open the garage door Wheeling out into the sunshine one stroke while you leather up then press that starter.... Oooooo like an excited child at Christmas the giggle when you hear the chitter chatter, final dress and put your leg over mmmm feels so nice one more caress of the tank then off. You can feel eyes looking at you as you clatter down the road laughing inside your helmet, if only you could bottle that feeling. Pulling up at the garage and taking your helmet off and seeing the stares enjoying the attention your bikes getting. Listening to the chitter chatter of your ride together and doing one last tour of the county because you can't bear to be parted again. Watching people admire your bike while you drink your coffee the 1098 being skimmed over while the old 600ss gets the admiring views Ooooooooo the joy I get excited now when I hear the sound of a Ducati while I'm in my car trying to unwind the window to attract the attention of the rider and giving them a big wave while I carrying on with a massive grin on my face Ducati priceless Oh and of course your gorgeous lot on here
I saw the WSB of Chaz Davis at the NEC show two years ago and as the rotating stand turned round, there was a 2015 Panigale R on the other side of it. That was it... It stopped me in my tracks and all I could think about was what I would have to sell and how much overtime I'd have to work to get one. When I collected mine, it went in the living room. I could look at it for hours. I still can. It's the most beautiful mechanical thing I have ever seen. In fact, I probably stare at it more than ride it as it still frightens the life out of me.
Because it's a childhood dream realised (partially, if you squint a bit). I believe I painted this in 1997 aged 14. I know it's Carl Foggarty on a 916 - any racing encyclopaedias able to pin point exact details? Ducati No2 will be a 916 of similar vintage
