Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Why do you ride a Ducati ?

Originally Posted by Lightning Boy

I was in the market for a H*nda Fireblade and accidently bought a 748R instead.

Like it. Some mistake though

[antonye]

A lot of people know what a Ducati is, but they wouldn't know the difference between the latest GSXR, ZX or CBR offerings. Even if they don't know that it's a Ducati, they understand that it is something more special than a Suzuki, Kawasaki or Honda.

[phil_h]

Originally Posted by MARTIN H

Back in the early 80s I had a mate who always seemed to have plenty of different bikes about the place. I didnt pay much attention to most of them as I didnt ride back then. However whenever he had a Ducati (and he had a few) there was just something about it that got my attention. A mixture of the sound and

Conti's make you deaf you know
hayden going round brands on the motogp bike made me remeber the first time I heard a duc with contis start up. The hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I start the bevel in the garage now to relive the experience

[Albie]

Originally Posted by phoenix n max

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''

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.

Actually I find it lower than the monster. I love everything about ducati. It was the 916 that did it and Carl fogarty that lured me to dream of one day have one. I did it the monster way with 900 and then s4 and now also a 748 and it means I fulfilled my dream. Love em and my partner understands how the ducati thing overtakes and friends develop from it.
Fantastic

[Loz]

The 851 captured my imagination years ago - a true race bike for the road, tremendous looks and sound. Ah!

Bought a 750ie Sport a few years ago, it was all I could afford and it seemed a good machine to try after a few years lay-off from bikes. It was, and is, a grin-inducing little beastie that gives me much pleasure.

Then ... the 999 appeared. The looks of it entranced me, I had to have one! The opportunity presented itself and I grabbed it. The sheer beauty of it, the engine, the handling ... I've yet to see another bike I'd consider trading it in for.

That's it for me.

[jeff st4s]

Originally Posted by Lightning Boy

I was in the market for a H*nda Fireblade and accidently bought a 748R instead.

You can't mistake class or style Rob, you and the bike!

For me it was the sound, I needed it.

Then it had to take a topbox to stop my son going of the back, some things just have to be shared between a father and a son, how else will I be able to indoctrinate him?

[GsxrAge]

Errrrummm


I did enjoy both my 916 and my 996.

The sound off it, the way it went round bends the colour () and the people i met.

Also miss telling the ones not in the know that there is nothing wrong with my clutch


changed to me GSXR as I wanted something faster and the looks off the 999 were not to my Taste !

Age

[skidlids]

A few years back I still had my Harris Magnum 4 which Handled very well and for my every day bikes I had a Fireblade and a TL1000S., I loved the TLs engine but not its handling with both the other bikes out performing it in this department.
Then a mate let me ride his 916SP and the place he choose to let me have a go was the B4011. What struck me instantly was the accuracy of the handling, I aimed for a spot in the road and I hit it, on the TL you made allowances.
Next thing to happen was the same mate had got hold of a 916BP that needed a bit of repair work and was going to give it to his brother. turned out his brother wasn't interested so my mate offered it to me. I handed over some cash then popped down to see Steve at Moto Rapido to get the bits needed to repair it and then my days of riding a Ducati started.

Just got that same 916 back from Senna3 last week and still think its one of the best buys I have made in all my years of motorcycling, on the roads a 916/996 does all that a bike needs to and does it very well,with the feedback and the lack of bump steer and other issues that lighter bikes like my R6 suffer it makes them a pleasure to ride.

And one thing I have noticed in all the times I have been out on either my 916, 996 or 998 I have never got a half mile up the road and thought I should turn back home because I wasn't feeling at one with the bike, yet I have thought this on nearly every other bike I have owned at one time or another

[Mr C]

I can still remember when I 1st heard and saw a 916, from the moment on I knew i had to have one. Loved my 996 (RIP) and would still have it if some b*llend knew how to drive. I bought the Monster S4 about 18 months ago as a stop gap bike.... Now i couldnt get rid of it, did consider a Zx10 but came to my senses. I sometimes have a play on my mates 05 Gixer 750 which bores me to ride. Ducati's have soul passion & heritage once its in you its there for life.

[Grib]

I've only ever owned my two Desmo Due bikes (600SS and a 620 Monster), but yeah, I 'get' the Ducati thing I loved the SS right from the off, couldn't wait to get back on it as soon as the track time was over...loads of character and just spot on to ride Will I have one on the road? I don't know. I'm also big into Kawasaki's and my ZX6 is going nowhere, so until I can afford a nice, new Ducati and the ZX6, I'll have to stick to the little ones on track I'd absolutely love a S2R right now, stunning machines.
I've ridden various others, 748, 996, S4 etc and they all have that same 'want one' appeal when you get off them. Best get saving.