RE: Harris buys a Ducati: PH Blog
Discussion
spareparts said:
It only takes 5 mins at motorway speeds without plugs and you can permanently damage your hearing.
FFS, doom-mongering a bit? I've almost never worn plugs, including quite a lot of *ahem* Autobahn travel so I should be deaf as a post. Mother, can you hear me, mother...MrOrange said:
FFS, doom-mongering a bit? I've almost never worn plugs, including quite a lot of *ahem* Autobahn travel so I should be deaf as a post. Mother, can you hear me, mother...
Hardly scaremongering. Do a quick google on NIHL (noise induced hearing loss). Extended exposure to 85dB or higher can permanently damage your hearing... A noise level easily exceeded by the majority of helmets at motorway speeds (also motorbike dependent, depending on the kind of fairing you may or may not have). Anyway, your ears your choice. Personally speaking given your response, I don't really GAF about your hearing but since we are giving tips to a newbie biker...
Vocal Minority said:
Wouldn't get me on a bike without leathers
I am like this in the UK but when I go on holiday I have no issues at all with riding around on a 'super' scooter in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops dealing with the worst that the (crap) greek roads can throw at me - with a massive thundersrorm thrown into the mix for this year as well.I am a convervative rider and the fear of punitive charges for repairs from the rental place keeps your focus as well unlike the natives who go full tilt on their superbikes with no helmet at 100+ all the time.
Tere is so little traffic you really have to be unlucky to come off or have someone take you out, you are more likeley to come off the tippy stty 50cc quads that seem all the rage at the moment.
Dear Mr. Harris: Well done! You had the wisdom/luck of choosing one of the best sorted motorcycles available today. People who rode older Ducatis may be fearing for your life, but nowadays they can be ridden at very low RPMs and they will not lurch, nor they will try to slide wildly or lift the front wheel when coming out of a turn unless you deliberately ask the motorcycle to do so. We also must keep in mind that you are not riding any of the older big-engined motorcycles, that could deliver their power viciously, with so-so tires, making them unmanageable and very dangerous unless you were an experienced rider.
On the other hand, from what you are telling us, you are using all the available power in a very sensible way and from your racing experience, you already know how to use your eyes and how to react to your vehicle's feedback,so there was no solid reason to go the "traditional way", starting with underpowered motorcyles until you were experienced enough to handle the more powerful ones.
My two pennies' worth of advice: as your skill level improves, try other motorcycles. There are some tall ones, as Ducati's own Multistrada that are incredibly comfortable. BMW's R1200GS is also worth a try. I am 5'7" tall and even if I stand on tip-toes riding the aforementioned motorcycles, I enjoy them tremendously, even in congested traffic. An amazing traffic-slicing tool is the Ducati Hyperstrada. Is very slim, so threading through dense traffic is incredibly easy, but it is a somewhat nervous mount, with a very light front-end under hard acceleration and at speed, but nothing really troublesome. Once you are comfortable riding your Monster at 8 or 9 tenths, try the KTM 1290R. This is a viciously powerful motorcycle when ridden hard, but it should be tried at least once in a controlled environment. Also, experiment with different kinds of protective clothing, including helmets. You will discover how different can the riding experience be because you changed just one item. Let us not forget accesories such as gel seats. Sir, you are embarking in a splendid adventure. Enjoy it and please, share as much as possible so that we may continue living great adventures vicariously through you.
On the other hand, from what you are telling us, you are using all the available power in a very sensible way and from your racing experience, you already know how to use your eyes and how to react to your vehicle's feedback,so there was no solid reason to go the "traditional way", starting with underpowered motorcyles until you were experienced enough to handle the more powerful ones.
My two pennies' worth of advice: as your skill level improves, try other motorcycles. There are some tall ones, as Ducati's own Multistrada that are incredibly comfortable. BMW's R1200GS is also worth a try. I am 5'7" tall and even if I stand on tip-toes riding the aforementioned motorcycles, I enjoy them tremendously, even in congested traffic. An amazing traffic-slicing tool is the Ducati Hyperstrada. Is very slim, so threading through dense traffic is incredibly easy, but it is a somewhat nervous mount, with a very light front-end under hard acceleration and at speed, but nothing really troublesome. Once you are comfortable riding your Monster at 8 or 9 tenths, try the KTM 1290R. This is a viciously powerful motorcycle when ridden hard, but it should be tried at least once in a controlled environment. Also, experiment with different kinds of protective clothing, including helmets. You will discover how different can the riding experience be because you changed just one item. Let us not forget accesories such as gel seats. Sir, you are embarking in a splendid adventure. Enjoy it and please, share as much as possible so that we may continue living great adventures vicariously through you.
Biker's Nemesis said:
bass gt3 said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
I don't know if anyone knows but my Surname is Harris, I am the only fast Harris on here!
My birth name was Harris.......Are you my Daddy????
I hope
My God, that means Chris Harris is my Daddy!!
Explains my rugged good looks and unfeasible speed and savoir faire.
Watched this then went to the configurator, looked at an HP4 & laughed at the price
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zj2h-3AeiM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zj2h-3AeiM
Did the same thing back in 2002. Passed my direct access and went straight to Ducati for a Monster 600 Dark.
Then came a 748bp
Then a 916 Strada
Then a Monster S4r
Then a Monster s4rs
Now i'm thinking of an MV Agusta Brutale. I'll need to buy new leathers though as I'm a walking, gimp like advert for Ducati!
It's a slippery slope Mr Harris (no reference to Australian artists intended).
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