RE: Harris buys a Ducati: PH Blog
Discussion
smilo996 said:
I would take an S4RS but good choice for a Monster anyway.
Another vote for a S4RS as well, or a S2R1000 if one could be found as I just like the old air-cooled Monnie's, having had a M750 many moons ago.At least he's bought a proper bike after passing his test, rather than some lame zillion rpm, 4-cyl Jap guided missle
dinkel said:
Love your writings Chris: they are about 'experience' and 'enjoyment'.
About the Duc. I bumped into this beastie:
Serious weapon.
Filth... Pure two wheeled filth...About the Duc. I bumped into this beastie:
Serious weapon.
DoubleSix said:
Yeah, I wear a helmet for cycling and a helmet for skiing (in sub zero temps) and both leave me looking like I've just had a shower. And I'm not a sweaty type before anyone jumps in 
Don't see how it can be that much different in a bike helmet, but must confess to knowing nothing about bike gear or technology.
Your going 3-4 times the speed and doing much less exercise. Never worn a helmet skiing, but cycling in this weather leaves me dripping in sweat. No such problem with a motorbike helmet. Also, at 15-20 mph on a bike, you don't get things hitting you. Even at 30ish down hill they don't hurt. At 60 they hit hard.Don't see how it can be that much different in a bike helmet, but must confess to knowing nothing about bike gear or technology.
MarshPhantom said:
y2blade said:
wemorgan said:
MarshPhantom said:
Odds on him breaking his neck?
Pleasant cheerful thought.
ttish thing to say 
Edited by SteveSteveson on Wednesday 23 July 13:53
So the down side of a 10k bike is that at some point as a new rider there is a good chance it will get doped.
The upside is all that fun you are having :-)
Like any car with over 150bhp you do not use much of the bikes power much of the time but its just so much fun. Glad you joined the bike world and are finding you adventurers on two wheels.
The upside is all that fun you are having :-)
Like any car with over 150bhp you do not use much of the bikes power much of the time but its just so much fun. Glad you joined the bike world and are finding you adventurers on two wheels.
Dale487 said:
I know about the same as Mr Harris does about motorbikes and would go out buy a Ducati Monster (may be with a smaller engine) if I ever became a biker.
Its a 2 wheel Ferrari for £11000, what's there not to like?
Its £11k (expensive for a bike).Its a 2 wheel Ferrari for £11000, what's there not to like?
Servicing is expensive (it has timing belts unlike the vast majority of bikes).
As nice as Ducatis look and sound there are better bikes out there for riding thrills.
Speaking of wearing the right gear, here's a post I made on a friend's Facebook wall the other day when he was moaning about being stung by a bee:
"Riding along at 70mph, a wasp hits me in the throat (which feels like being shot, by the way) and then drops into my leathers. The wasp is still alive and then starts doing what wasps do best; stinging me. So then I'm riding along at 70mph punching my own chest trying to kill the damn thing before I slide disgracefully into anaphylactic shock. Being repeatedly stung on the nipples might go down well in certain specialist German taverns but I can't recommend it as an experience."
"Riding along at 70mph, a wasp hits me in the throat (which feels like being shot, by the way) and then drops into my leathers. The wasp is still alive and then starts doing what wasps do best; stinging me. So then I'm riding along at 70mph punching my own chest trying to kill the damn thing before I slide disgracefully into anaphylactic shock. Being repeatedly stung on the nipples might go down well in certain specialist German taverns but I can't recommend it as an experience."
Chris Harris said:
So what exactly had I done here? Had I made the classic mistake of simply buying something because it looked good and fitted my desires, and then constructed some laughable narrative to justify it based on a low seating position? Could well be.
If you tried to rationalise the purchase of a bike you'd almost certain conclude not to buy one.Buy a bike, any bike, just because you want it and love it. Almost ANY bike is fun.
Fine choice.
I'll be interested in following this adventure.
Have been riding for 35+yrs, and was an instructor for much of the early '70s.
Given your vast experience in cars, you may very well pull this off without a glitch, but plugging straight into an 1100 Duc is not something I would have seriously considered for a new rider.
Rule #1: you are invisible...
Have been riding for 35+yrs, and was an instructor for much of the early '70s.
Given your vast experience in cars, you may very well pull this off without a glitch, but plugging straight into an 1100 Duc is not something I would have seriously considered for a new rider.
Rule #1: you are invisible...
3304hl said:
I'll be interested in following this adventure.
Have been riding for 35+yrs, and was an instructor for much of the early '70s.
Given your vast experience in cars, you may very well pull this off without a glitch, but plugging straight into an 1100 Duc is not something I would have seriously considered for a new rider.
Rule #1: you are invisible...
And at your age if you do fall off Chris you wont bounce...Have been riding for 35+yrs, and was an instructor for much of the early '70s.
Given your vast experience in cars, you may very well pull this off without a glitch, but plugging straight into an 1100 Duc is not something I would have seriously considered for a new rider.
Rule #1: you are invisible...
carinaman said:
Just take it easy, I wouldn't like you to pick up any injuries that may impact on your ability to get a 911 around LeMans or the Nordschleife.
I loved my bikes - Did Glasgow to London on a 748 r in a day - loving the blade in the alps and pyranees every year, amazing track days - then I got to 40, bought the BMW f800ST and slowed it down a little, for a bit of commuting....Then got wiped out at 60mph by a dude not stopping to cross a dual carriage way - I actually went into the side of him at 40 mph.ICU with - 7 ribs bust, punctured lung, broken shoulder and wrist, 3rd of a kidney gone, grade 5 lacerated liver, ACL blown and some real head work needed to get over the trauma of the whole thing.
The initial impact was made between the car crossing the dual carriage way and an M3 - the M3 driver broke his glasses on the airbag.
I adored my bikes, but Chris please be careful - it can hurt.
All the best C
DoubleSix said:
So you can sit astride an engine, with helmet on, covered in leather and stay cool in the sort temps we're enjoying now??
I'm not trying to be obtuse here, but really?
Why in gods name would you wear leathers if your popping out to a country pub?I'm not trying to be obtuse here, but really?
Jeans and a t-shirt man.
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