Ducati Monster Forum

OK, made the 696 into a semi-tourer...not
Got a tank bag and a wife with a backpack... (bad move on the backpack)
Started in Kaiserslautern, Germany and tried to make Innsbruck, Austria the first day, but after heavy traffic and rain ended up about 1hr short after a 7 hr ride. found a little bed and breakfast in the mountains of Germany.
Second day was supposed to take us to Perdone, Italy for a visit with a friend, originally a 5hr ride with the right roads. Didn't happen that way, starting an hour behind made it 6 and getting lost (Italian roads are notoriously not marked, GPS is due next trip) we ended up riding 10 hrs. although awesome roads through the fernpass and brenner pass, the backpack was starting to get heavy and the 696 back seat is a bit wide. her legs were burning and stops became more frequent.
BUT arrived in time for a pasta dinner!
I know pics... coming when i get back in a week. going to spend 5 days on the beach of Jesolo, Italy then the ride back. gonna ship the backpack back to avoid the weight.

Interesting side note, had some clutch slipping issues when the bike was hot. we added about 20 kilos in luggage to our ride so it's not overloaded... hmmm going to Ducati factory on Monday.. maybe i'll ask!

Have fun and good luck with the clutch.

And yes...no ride report complete without pictures. ;)

Have a great trip. Post up those pics when you're back. I looove ride reports.
 :)

Back.   pics coming soon.

small tidbits: Ducati factory awesome!  was cool to pull into the factory parking lot ON a Ducati.
Mirrors... finally both starting shaking and the right would no longer tighten.. made a trip to Ducati Venezia... they were super nice and replaced both mirrors under warranty.
Clutch... oil issue. apparently the oil put in the bike in oklahoma wasn't up to the high heat and load i was seeing over the week. and had zero issue once the weather cooled down.
Weather.. it's REALLY cold in the ALPS and in germany right now. packed for Italian summer and froze on the way home.
more later

Awsome.  Motorcycle tourning through Europe is very high up on my bucket list.

Looking forward to the pictures!!  I really envy you having the chance to make that trip, and greatly miss living/riding there in the Kaiserslautern area.  Hope you have gotten some good Sunday riding in/around Johanniskreuz, as it is a stunning area to ride through.

they've shut down one of the roads down in that area. too many deaths. also they patrol that area like a drug farm. north of town is better for less police. but that's all hearsay since i haven't made that trip. met a guy recently who knows the roads well and should be doing that run soon.

+1 for 'must do' adventures on the list!

Can't wait to see the pics!

Teaser Pic

(http://img18.werkenntwen.de/photo9/bdd61fbcd6ee8e01773cf6ccb83b9448/p/9/p99tfk3i5w6c2aa0k5nw39gy6mc.jpg)

 [thumbsup]