Ducati Monster Forum

So I'll be going to the dealership tomorrow to pick up my new Monster and was wondering what I should do.  It's about a 45 drive to the dealership and I don't have a truck.  I have a friend who is offering to let me use his truck, but then I would still need tie-downs and a ramp.  The weather tomorrow is supposed to be clear with a high of 34 degrees, and the roads are pretty clear as well.

I'm wondering if I should go buy a ramp and tie-downs, or if I should ride it back.  I have cold weather gear but it should be chilly nonetheless.

Any thoughts?

Me?  I'd ride it.


I'm also an idiot.



Wear everything you got.

You can always take a break on the way home to warm up.  I personally would probably try to ride it rather than spend money on a ramp and tie downs (although those are good things to own).

34 is pretty cold if you dont have teh right gear

How cold is cold?  Remember cold tires and cold pavement = less traction.  I'll ride down to 30 or 40 as long as there isn't any other traction problems.  Any snow/salt/sand situation to deal with?  If there was any snow/salt/sand to contend with, I would truck it home, it being a new bike and all.

Your dealer should have a ramp.  If you don't have a ramp at home, look for a hill or a loading dock.  I have a slight hill in my front yard that if I back up until my tailgate touches the hill, I don't need a ramp. If you have rope and know the trucker's hitch, you don't even need straps.  

If you don't have he right gear, just be ready to stop often to warm up. The ramp and tie-downs are great things to own, but cold weather gear is more important IMO.

Be careful and good luck!

New bike with new tires on winter roads with grime n' muck n' stuff?   A high of 34?  45 min ride?  
I'd truck it.  Cuz I'm as much of a pussy as Mr. I is an idiot.  Besides, it's always useful to have a ramp n' tie downs around.  If not, you can later sell 'em on craigslist and recoup most of your cost.  

Here's the other thing -- there's nothing worse than getting a new bike back from the dealer and already having it mucked up with winter road grime.  This may be vain, but you only get to have a bike look new for just a little bit before the scratching, the fade, and the general wear and tear.  Savor that short period of newness.  It'll get worn-looking soon enough.  'Specially if you let me ride it.   ;D

worn, or wrecked?  :D

to the OP-can your dealer deliver? or is that out of their range? the dealer here offered to drop my bike off at my place if I wasn't able to get it there when it was ready

I think I'm going to dress real warm and ride it.  My wife drove up to Louisville where the dealership is today and said the roads were fine.  I plan on buying a ramp and tie-downs for the future, but I wasn't expecting to pick up the bike so soon.  The only thing that hasn't come in yet is the CF Termis which won't come in until sometime next month.

I'll be riding very slow and safe, and my wife will be following me in the car.

This time tomorrow there will be a brand new Monster in my garage!

i would totally advise against the wife following you home the first time.

get a friend and a truck. borrow a ramp.

or a mistress.

How exciting! congrats!

Let it stay with the dealership until you find a truck OR the weather warms up by 10-15F. It is silly to ride a new motorcycle that you do not have much experience with in such cold weather.

Very nice, personally I'd hope that they'd be able to deliver it, and in the absence of that opportunity I'd have a friend  truck it home.  The prospect of dumping a brand new and unfamiliar bike would be too much for me.


Just dont do this:

crash monkey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxkku1YAUCQ#normal)

or this:

new bike crash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxbHyEIkgdU&feature=related#normal)

If your roads are clear, salt & gravel free, I would not even think twice.

You'l want a real good windproof layer.

Certainly take 'er easy, way easy, cold roads & cold tires encourage such.

Stop often and admire your ride.

don't buy a ramp, just buy a long/wide plank of wood plus some straps.  you will most likely regret a 45 (mile or minute?) ride in 34 degree weather. 

btw.. if it were me in your situation i wouldn't listen to me.  i'd ride it home cursing my numb hands and ice cube testicles the whole way. 

Have a good ride, lots of layers and get some of those hot hand packets to put in your gloves.

34 degrees is cold if you dont have the right gear.

Wind is your enemy. Got a ski jacket? throw it on. in fact, this is no lie, if you have a nice warm jacket throw a garbage bag over it, youll thank me later.

Next up is your hands. Your fingers will be cold as make the beast with two backsingballs. Solution? wear rubber surgical gloves underneath your everyday winter gloves and another set over them.

next up is your tires. brand new tires are a bit slippery. get a thick brush and scuff up your tires to remove that first intial layer.

Then its your engine. Your engine probably wont even get warm. thats not good for a brand new engine. duct tape the oil cooler, let the bike idle for a good 10-15 mins to get the oil flowing then go for a gentle ride, with the duct tape oil cooler, you should be able to get the bike up to temp, which in that case, its up to you if you want to "baby break it in" Or break it in like a man and rev the balls off it.

have fun!

I'll be wearing my boots with boot socks (just below the knee), thermal underwear(bottoms), and windbreaker pants under a pair of jeans.  On top, I'll be wearing thermal underwear, long-sleeve shirt, Ducati leather jacket, winter riding gloves with additional inserts, and a gaitor-neck on my head and neck under the full face helmet.  Hopefully that'll be enough to stay at least a tiny bit warm.

you'll probably need one more layer on your upperbody in my experience. the rest sounds ok. are your boots waterproof? nonwaterproof let a lot of cold air through.
i understand you desire to do this, but i really do recommend against the wife following. you should send her on her way. you will distract each other

(http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/snowandice22.jpg)

(http://devilsexcrement.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/la-reina-de-las-nieves.jpg)

I woke up this morning and it was snowing, so I called my friend and we trucked it back.  I bought tie-downs at the dealership, and a ramp at Lowe's.  Made it home safely and I now have a new Monster in my garage.  Not to mention I was nice and warm inside the truck.  ;D

I'll be starting a new post in a few minutes with pictures.  [moto]