my first duke.
 

after 15 years got myself a 748 - woohoo! aint no going back now.

fitted termis this weekend - wooooooooohoooooooo!

two minor complaints though -

wrists hurt like hell by the time I get out my drive and squirrels like hell on banding / white lines - anyone got any solutions?

god, I'm in love.

D

Cycle cat bar risers for the wrists see the thread

Air gun for squirels

Yep...bar raisers for the wrists (do a search...several posts about the various options available)...and the squirelling is probably down to a worn rear tyre.

On a 748 you should be running a 180 section tyre, and once they are on their way out (squaring off) they do twich like buggery over the banding/white lines.

New tyre...sorted.

Wrists could be a bike fitness thing, give it a while and you might get used to it. I struggled at first on my old 748 and adapted my hand position slightly over time and found I had no problems and even ended up doing a 700 miles blast from Dijon to Yorkshire only stopping for fuel and coffee and I had no wrist problems at all.

Tyres...bane of my life at the moment, ever since I upgraded to the 748R I have not got on at all well with the Dragons that are fitted. Must change them soon :(

Diablos mate...they're the future:lol:

Also, regarding the wrist ache...you can rotate the brake and clutch levers around and down a little to help alignment with your hand/fingers. This makes a big big difference when it comes to the comfort on the bike.

Remove the lever clamp from the clip-on, and you will see a small roll-pin which locates the lever in a standard position. Remove this pin, either by pulling it out if your lucky or grinding it off, and then you can put the clamp back on, and now rotate it to a position of your choice.

I my levers rotated down as far as they can go before they hit the indicators when turning!!! Works for me and feels a darn sight better than standard.

Great stuff, your wrists will get used to it, check age ot tyres, pressures etc, etc.. welcome to the fold.

748's have very low bars, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

You'll strengthen up over time.

Welcome and Enjoy :cool:

[Edited on 26-9-2005 by 748IOM]

Welcome djb. Are you only 15?:o

And speaking of bars - as is the custom here I'll have a southern comfort thanks, no ice ;)

Whereabouts are you hailing from?

You have beaten me to it, ditto to all that Harv748 has written:D


Chris.:burn:

I have a 998 and I am only 5'5". I have fitted Heli-Bars and they are a revalation. No wrist ache any more.

My 2 pennys worth!

Welcome to the club, I'll have an espresso please, ta.

I have a 748, you get used to the wrist situation as your muscles improve. I just rode round France for 7 days with no wrist ache at all....not from the bike anyway :P

Ade.

Welcome to the club djb. Like the others say, you'll get used to it. Try putting more weight on your feet and not gripping too tight with your hands. You'll also find that you can flip the bike better.

Welcome - you'll get used to the weight on your wrists - seriously.

Jeez, you guys got nothin better to do than post replies.

In answer -

Body of a 30-somethin, mind of a 3 year old - had rice rockets before but always dreampt of a duke and now its mine, all mine. Haven't stopped grinning, riding or polishing it since I got it. And those Termi's, sheez. Now if I could just get rid of all the admirers.......

In north london - anyone recommend any quality twisties 'nearby'? the shame of unmarked kneesliders is crippling.

Thanks, will try dropping the bars and see how I get on although I am getting used to it, slowly.

As for the free bar drinks I was there for hours and none of you *******s turned up so had a spritzer and left.......

So happy to be here.

D

oh and yellow is the only way to go......

:D:D:sing:

Chris:burn:

Congratulations - the 748 is a fantastic bike, & don't worry - you'll soon get used to the riding position, although its not great if caught in town traffic!

Yellow is great - if you can't get red........

:P

Hello and welcome!
Am I first ladee at the bar then?...
Mines a drambuie no ice ta!
748?Lucky you...
dear santa........:saint::saint::saint:

Yep, first ladee (unless you count all the red duke owners.....) but must question the drambuie. Even we scots never touch the stuff.:burn:

Welcome!

Now you have the bug your bank balance will always be low.

Miones a Henesey XO..........................with coke.

Where abouts in Scotland are you djb? If anywhere near Ayr i'd be most pleased to see the bike and may even stick the kettle on!

Is there a Scots contingency within the DSC realms for "summer" weekend runs?

Sadly not - I'm stuck in london with the soft suvern red ducati riders..............so far I don't think they've noticed. It's the yellow that distracts them.

D:D

Ah yes but...It's a nice easy drink and a pallatable cheap and cheerful one...

Even better if you stick a makers mark, Laphroaig, Talasker or Ardbeg in it!!!;)... adds a new twist to a rusty nail!:D

Im sure a ride out with the BHC boys and gals could cure your blues we have some of the best ride outs this side of the M25 and we will tolerate a few Yellow one now and then:lol: 4D

[Edited on 4-10-2005 by Fordie]

Yellow, like all true 748 Ducs should be. The wrists you will get used to in time, try squeezing your knees together more.

Welcome,

I hope you continue to adore your 748 as much as I do mine - marvellous piece of engineering, combining form & function.

I`m impressed KB!