Why do you ride a Ducati ?
 

Just wondering and encouraging some 'Ducati' based chatting.

Is it the noise ? the power ? the handling ? the feelings that are evoked from riding it ?

Have you had the same feelings throughout multiple Ducatis ? if so, why ? if not, why ?

I think back to last Xmas when Dave G shipped my 916 down to me, i was very very excited.... picking it up in the freezing cold, seeing if it would start (it didn't LOL)... then spending the winter making it pretty, adding a few bits here, a few bits there... and a few somewhere else...

it's in my blood.

When did it get there ? before or after you first rode one ?

What makes it so special ?

No - that's Guinness ;)

The sound of a v-twin on full-song.
The look of a yellow 748
The stump-pulling midrange of a 900
The feeling that under any stressfull condition, it will always go where you want it to

Actually, I've still got the brochures from 1974 when I first fell in love with the italian image of the bevel 750SS and the singles

For me it was the noise that drew me in.
I had various two strokes and loved the buzz they gave me.
but walking home from town one day I heard a 900SL with Termis on go past.
and from that day on I had to have one.
also remember seeing my first 916 parked up and saw the owner come back and couldn't help but butt in with a few questions. It looked awesome.
now there just part of the family I cant see myself without one

Noise and looks...I mean everytime I set foot out the front door to go for a ride...and I'm greated with this sight...makes me feel all funny inside ;-)

to me its the whole 'ducati' thing. not very well put but i know what i mean.

the passion
the racing pedigree
the people (even with whats going on here, its true)
the style

harley has a similar thing but no other jap make. i think it highly unlikely i would leave ducati completely. i always wanted a 916, since i got into bikes again, not sure why really i guess just because i lusted after one whenever i saw one and viewed it as the epitome of 'sports' bikes. tested an aprilia and a 916 at the time. felf quicker on the aprillia but on returning to the shop there was a small boy gazing at the 916 while ignoring all the other brand new bikes, and that was how i felf.

i have met a huge number of great people through ducati from andyb who first told me about the site maybe 4 years ago to all the people through the DSC i know now. there is no way i would have done that with a gixer etc even if i raced or did trackdays all the time.

i just dont think it would be the same if i still had my ninja.these are only my personal views but for me its what its all about. i do have non ducati bike friends but i can count them on my hands.

Harv, you've posted the wrong picture mate - don't you mean these ;

Got my monster because I liked the look of them.

Did a bit of research, kept eyeing them up, but also was wary of the constant knocking that accompanied Ducatis.

Was advised away from them mostly - but being stubborn I got my way. Tried one first - a yellow one - and it didn't feel right - thought my dream was shattered - then went to view Max - instantaneous ''this is my bike'':D

2002 I got Max - love the look, the sound, the ride, how the engines works and behaves, hate all those jap type revs and I can be lazy with gear changes.
Won't buy another bike, hold no interest for me.

I do like the 748/916 looks too - however they are way too tall for me.