Ducati Sporting Club UK > Users Introductions > New User Introductions > Ducatista making new international friends

[John]

Howdy all,

Found this site through a link posted by our resident mechanical authority, Shazaam! I live in Northern California, near Sacramento.

I'm a recently retired International Sales Mgr of a company that makes buffing pads for auto (motorcycles), marine and industrial applications. In fact I still make a few phone calls now and then and just today I talked a very nice English prospect regarding distribution of our products.

I've been riding motorcycles most of my life and actually rode one as part of my job being a police officer in the States many years ago. I was a motor officer for five years, riding the Harley Davidson (what a pig, but macho) and then the KZ 1000 Police Kawasaki. That motor has been around and unchanged since the 70s and just recently updated. Pretty amazing actually. I also worked as a training officer and did a two year stint as an undercover narcotics officer.

Currently I own two Ducatis; an 07 1100S MTS and a 03 999R. Previously I have had a 999S, 916 (modded to the max) and a 900SS. This was during the last six years. During that period I also had an 05 600RR Honda. This bike was for miles and the track, a very good bike but the 14.5 RPM made me munch it and myself back in Nov of 05. My injuries were pretty bad; airlifted, ICU multiple broken bones: back, pelvis, shoulder, knee, Multiple torn muscles/ligaments, internal bleeding and multiple surgeries following. Oh well, stuff happens, right? I've always said, it never would have happened if I were on one of my Ducatis. Took three years of PT to finally get me back on the bike. I changed my ways a little by picking up the Multistrada (man, this bike is versatile) and the best bike I have ever owned, the 999R.

Aside from the above, I'm also the President of the regional Ducati Club. Thats been a lot of fun and our mission is the usual stuff, but I like organizing private track days too. That is about 30 riders coming and going as they wish. Very popular venue.

Glad I logged on because this will give me an opportunity to learn some new things and make new friends. Thanks everyone for having me on board.

Here are some pics of the Multistrada, 999S, Bulldog (Mangia) and my favorite the 999R with the new magnesium valve cover I installed a couple days ago. This part updates the 03 bike to an 05 because that is when Ducati offered it as standard. Amazing how much lighter than the stock valve cover it is, plus I've always liked the piece and have been looking for a couple years for a set. I bought the pair from BCM in New Hampshire.