Ducati Monster Forum

After three years without owning a motorcycle, I went out and bought a used S2R 1K last August because three of my friends were wanting to get into riding for the first time. So far, only one of them has actually bought a bike.

So I started thinking about how much money I had spent on motorcycles over the years. A lot.

After forty-seven years of riding (mostly on dirt) here is a list of two wheelers that have been in my stable at one time or another.

Briggs & Stratton powered mini-bike, Yamaha 80, Honda 55, Honda 65, Honda 90, Honda 100, Kawasaki 100 Green Streak, Yamaha 125 Enduro, Hodaka Super Rat, Yamaha MX 125, 360 Yamaha in a Hindle Frame, Yamaha 250 twin in Champion frame, (what a handful!) Bultaco 200 Sherpa, Bultaco 250 Pursang, Bultaco 360 Astro (two different ones) Bultaco 250 Astro, Honda 305, Honda 350, Kawasaki 400, Kawasaki 500 triple, 400 KTM, Triumph 750 Bonneville, Ducati 900 SS, and currently, a Ducati S2R 1000.     

I could probably be retired by now if I had chosen a different hobby.
I haven't learned my lesson yet because I'm still pumping $$$ into my S2R.


What is your history of ownership?

starting at the age of 12....
HD  M65, HD Baja 100, Sears 175, HD Sprint 350ERS, HD XR750, CZ 500, Bultaco Matador, Husky 400, Montesa Scorpion, Honda 750, Yamaha 400 Daytona Special , HD 883 Sporty, Honda CR250, Honda CR125, Norton 750 Commando, BMW R1100R,
BMW Boxer Cup Replica, Ducati S2R 1000.....

Had some gaps in time with no bike thus the short list...

Still have the Norton....wished I still  had the Yamaha 2 stroker 400 and the XR750. Got the XR brand new took it home in the crate....

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I always wanted a Norton. Your Commando should bring a healthy price today if you were to sell it.

We use to call them Snortin' Nortons   [laugh]

A BSA was a Beezer and a Harley was a Hog.

KID BIKE:
Yamaha YZF80

First street bike (1988-1990):
1980 Yamaha 650 Special (sort-cafe'd out w 2into1 pipe & drop bars)

College BIKES (1990-95):
1982 Yamaha XJ650RJ Seca (GREAT bike! Shouldn't have sold it)
1986 Yamaha FZ600 (first squid bike. Serious POS)
1988 Handa 600F Hurricaine (second squid bike. Better than the FZ, though)

My adult bikes (1995+):
1997 Honda CBR 600F3 (first new bike)
2001 KTM 620 LC4 (first adult dual sport/dirt bike)

Bikes still in the garage:
2000 Triumph 955i Daytona (my first love-I'll NEVER SELL HER)
2007 Husqvarna TE250 (do it all dirt bike/dual sport/supermoto)
2002 Ducati Monster 750S.i.e. (my second love-passed down from my dad-I hope to pass it down to my kid in another 10 years or so)
2003 Ducati Multistada 1000
1996 Honda Z50S (my son's bike)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34765.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34765.0)

1982 Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs017.snc3/12465_191061273629_804968629_2838178_7121575_n.jpg)

2005 Triumph Sprint ST
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs037.snc3/12465_191062508629_804968629_2838206_3929618_n.jpg)

2005 Triumph Rocket III
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs037.snc3/12465_191059868629_804968629_2838174_6676165_n.jpg)

2003 Ducati Monster 620ie
(http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs037.snc3/12465_214171038629_804968629_2945342_254423_n.jpg)

1991 Suzuki Katana 750 (gotta learn to ride on something)
1998 Suzuki TL1000R (cause it was at the dealer when I went to get a filter for the Katana and I had my checkbook out)
2000 H-D Softail Standard (military sales out of Kuwait; way cheaper than MSRP)
2005 S4R (Imported it from the US to Germany; ouch$$$)
2007 H-D Road King Custom (Can't ride to Sturgis on a Softail now can we)
1999 H-D Sportster 1200 (My better half wanted to ride too!)

In 1970, I bought a CT-70 Honda, the start of a lifelong obsession that my old lady doesn't quite understand, and really can't believe how much money I spend on bikes, tires, magazines, and anything else even remotely related to motorcycles.    And the pile of gloves and helmets is getting larger all the time. 

#37 or so now.   

I started riding on 2 wheels at age 15 on my neighbors Honda 50 Sport in 1967.

When I turned 16 that same year I talked my folks into letting me get a new black and chrome Honda Sport 50.

Than I got a new Honda 160 CB Scrambler. ( Really wanted the 305 )

I rode bikes off and on through the years but spent most of my time on the Golf Course .

Got into Body Building in the '80s and continued to be in the Gym until I destroyed my major Joints in the late '90s. ( Knees , Hips and Shoulders ) from lifting too heavy and not resting enough between lifting sessions.

Just in the last 8 years here's what I've bought . All new Bikes.

'02 H-D Road King
'03 H-D Heritage Softail Classic
'05 BMW R 1200 RT
'06 BMW K 1200 GT
'2) '07 Ducati S4Rss.
'07 BMW K 1200 S
'08 Ducati 1098-R
''09 BMW K1300 GT
'10 BMW S 1000 RR

Currently have the last 3 on the list.

I rode a Yamaha IT 175 in the woods and Ice Raced it in the late '70s

Had a BSA Mark 2 Spitfire Special in the late '60s.

I've always loved riding but never as much as this past riding season.

Never have I ridden faster and harder than I did this last riding season.


I really felt my skills improving as a corner carver and just being able to handle a bike at high velocity. I guess it was partly because I rode w, very little fear and studied a lot of the DVDs of Moto GP , of The Isle of Mann Races and especially Troy Bayliss's last Season's masterful run for his 3rd and final victory , this time again in World Super Bike.

Also I read Keith Code's " A twist of the Wrist "and I practiced what I had learned until I felt I could do it instinctly.

I'm lucky to have 125-150 miles of beautiful lightly patrolled and most of the time lightly traveled 2 lane roads in the hills of South Eastern , Ohio.

It's too bad that I'm going on 61 'cause things don't come easy like they used to.

4 hours of hard riding and I'm all stoved up for a couple of days.

( The joints you know )

But I still love riding.

Dolph    :) 

 

'82 Kawasaki Z250
'73 750 Bonneville
'75 1000 H-D Sportster custom
'72 H-D FX custom
'93 H-D FXR
'95 Ducati Monster
'95 YZF 750 (road and race)
'95 ZX6R (race)
'92 VFR400 (NC30) (road and race)
'92 Ducati Superlight
'92 VFR400 (NC30) (race)
'92 VFR400 (NC30) (road and race) FOR SALE
'95 Ducati Monster Current bike

About 12 years old started with a Briggs and Stratton mini-bike (me and dad built it), Aprilia SR50R, Piaggio MP3 250, Ducati M695...I'm a newbie.  There was a long break I didn't ride between 15-22.  Just the duc in the stable right now.

Aug 2008 - Completed BRT, got my endorsement
Aug 2008 - 2002 Suzuki GZ250 (road ~500 miles)
Jan 2009 - 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650R (road ~8,900 miles)
Aug 2009 - Traded ninja for my 2009 Ducati Monster 1100 (road 3,200 so far)

I never sold the GZ. My girlfriend is learning, and it's the perfect bike for her :)

1st bike that I owned outright was in 1970, a used Yamaha YM2 305cc.
Then a Norton Commando 750 Fastback.
Dirt bikes -- Yamaha YZ250(?) Yamaha's first dedicated dirt only moto-cross.
Then two Husky 405's.
Back to the streets with a brand spankin' new Honda CB350 that I rode for years.
 
Too many years passed where I bummed rides now & then on friends Harleys or BMWs but I didn't own anything. I saw the first VFR750s & the CBR600s arrive. OMG!!

In 2005 a friend talked me into taking his M900 around a 3 mile loop where I live. I was doubtful because I always remembered Ducati's as being finicky, quirky bikes but I thought what the hell. I came away from that ride duly impressed. Three weeks later he got me to ride the bike 25 miles into town and back.  Six weeks after that I had my own 1998 Monster 900.

A couple years later I wound up with a 2003 999.

Last year I bought a 2009 848.

I currently only own the 848 but a KTM SuperDuke is looking real good too.  [bang]

1979 Honda 75cc dirtbike
1985 Honda Rebel (Used for dirt duty pre-license due to a motor with busted rings, smoked like Mt St Helens)
1989 Kawasaki Eliminator 250 (First streetbike with license)
1991 Katana 600 (Junior year of high school through grad school)
2006 S2R1000 (getting back into things after a few years off)
2002 VFR800 (Current Bike, here for the long haul)

Mine's pretty simple,
First motorized bike:
(http://mb-imaging.net/bikes/zuma1.JPG)

Second(current) motorized bike.
(http://mb-imaging.net/ducati/minigolf.jpg)

i fell off a crapton of honda and kawasaki dirtbikes before trying the street and Ducati.

Man, some of you guys have really gone through the bikes (and I envy those with the room to have more than one)! I guess I have one benefit: all my bikes have been purchased new (love the smell of cosmoline).

1972 Honda CB500F - I rode the wheels off of this one
1982 Honda CB900F - a good well balanced bike, but warped two sets of rotors
1983 V45 Interceptor - saw it at the Cycle World show, put a deposit on it the next day. It was an ... interesting bike.
1987 Kawasaki GPz900R Ninja - great bike - amazing grunt from a 900cc engine - the one I wish I still had
1994 Ducati 900 SS/SP - beautiful machine (red), great fun on the open road, not a very good commuter. Wife was bummed when I sold it.
2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - no more racer boy for me - just a standard with a big honkin' engine! FOR SALE.
2009 Ducati Monster 1100S - wanted something light, torquey, and FUN. Makes me feel like a 57 year-old hooligan!

That's it for now!

PS: Has anybody realized that the DMF spell-checker has a problem with Ducati? Or is it just me...

Wow, I've never owned anything but used bikes.  Maybe I should rectify that...

Anyway:

Home-made 3.5-HP B&S-powered mini-bike, governor removed, bigger carb w/custom carb adapter, customized high pipe made from 1/2-inch black iron nipples and elbows.  Sting-ray bars, friction rear brake that flipped me off the bike (1st and only high-side!) when I leaned it over on a dirt track one afternoon.

1964 Honda 90.  This bad boy would hit 45 mph down the abandoned orchard road we ran it on.  Learned to clutch and shift a bike.

1966 Ducati 250 Monza.  When considering what bike to buy after a 20-year hiatus from riding, this is the memory that pushed me irrevocably to a Monster.  This moto always surprised and impressed me with the sense of power that it transmitted to the rider.

1971 Yamaha 125 Enduro.  Did my first real mechanical work on this bike.  Zippy and fun to ride.  Still have it.

1975 Yamaha RD-350.  HOLY CRAP.  An unimaginably quick motorcycle.  Needed a velcro-covered seat to keep this bike from riding out from under you!

1975 Norton 850 Commando.  Why oh why did I ever sell this bike?  I bought it as a 2nd choice, was looking for a 650 Bonneville but the Norton came along.  Rode it til about 1983.  Really a unique riding experience.  I'd pay to have just a 10-minute ride on it again.

-------------20 years of bikelessness-------------

2003 Monster 800 Dark.  I'm an old(er) guy now but am really enjoying this motorcycle.  To be stopped at a light, look over at the Subaru station wagon next to me and catch the hot young mom gazing longingly at me and the bike... sweet for a 53 year-old!

Some new, some used...

1978 RD400  Bought nearly new and stock from a coworker in 1980, less than 1000 miles on it.  Lots of mods in the few months I owned it.  Loved the quickness, but it had no "legs".

1979 GS550  Bought new in the crate in 1981 when I decided that I really needed a 4 stroke.  Lots of mods, mainly to the motor, intake, and exhaust.  My way of compensating for not being willing to pay the extortionate  dealer's fees tacked on to the then new GPz550.  Had ridden the KZ550A1s that Keith Code used for his first Cali SB Schools and really liked the balance and power.

1982 GPz750  Bought new within a week of arriving at the dealer, no extra fees, rode it until 1990. Great bike for the era, but a friend bought an Interceptor when they came out in 1983 and I knew it was the shape of things to come and my UJM was rendered obsolete.  Same friend owned the Norton in the pic.

2006 S2R 800  Bought used in 2009 for my return to motorbikes.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/motosmontage.jpg)

three Honda CB400 t's...78, 80, and 81 if I recall.  Honda Hawks were great little bikes. Then a Kawi LTD 550, 83 I believe.  Then, about 9 years ago, THIS.  86 Yamaha SRX-6, highly modded.  Loved it, but it quickly deteriorated and I had no cash to fix it.  Wouldlove to get another.  Just beautiful.  After being bikeless for 7-8 years, got my first Duc...a 07S4Rs.
(http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/billyzoom1/P000227.jpg)
Joel

Let's see...a Bridgestone Chibi(60cc mini), a 100cc Hodaka motor in a VanTech frame, Hodaka Wombat, Bultaco Matador(250), Bultaco Pursang(370), Honda XR 350, Husqvarna WR250, Husqvarna 510, Husqvarna 610(a real blast in the Michigan woods), and then I moved to Ohio and I started riding street...therefore a Ducati Monster oh, and a Honda Super Hawk. Wow I'm old. [laugh]

Started back when I was 16 with a Honda my uncle brought home from Vietnam. Broke my back on it when I was 17. Fast forward to me being 27 and inheriting a Tomos LX A35. (read little moped). Now have a '09 Monster 696 and just bought a '10 Suzuki TU250X. Things are looking up. Next is going to be either an 1100 or a Streetfighter.

Started on a Suzuki TS 50 when I was maybe 12.  I then had a Rupp dirtbike.  I went through a ATV (we are talking 3-wheelers) phase for a while.  I moved onto a YZ 125 which was pretty fun.  I decided to move to the street and had a 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 600.  The red, white, and blue model.  I had a friend that had a serious accident so I got out of the motorcycle business for around 15 years.  Last summer I rode a co-workers gsxr 600 and was bitten by the bug again.  In July I got my Monster 696.

Jim 

My friend bought an R6 which prompted me to finally go out an purchase a motorcycle which I had been wanting to get one since I was as a kid.

1.) 97 Suzuki Katana 600 (1 year), Candy Pharaoh Yellow, Whoo hoo, first bike, pretty darn slow and heavy
2.) 02 Suzuki TL1000R (2 years), Blue/White, Awesome motorcycle, V-twin, fast but not fast enough, attention grabbing
3.) 05 Suzuki GSXR 1000 (5 years), Blue/White, Oh dear god fast (Too fast!!), lightweight, fast, fast..., did I mention this bike was too fast. Why in the world do I need to go 100mph in first gear and do 130mph in 9 seconds?
4.) 07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 (Just bought last month), Red. -It's been fun. I like it so far. I only have a few moments of missing the power of my GSXR 1000, but the comfort is so much better. Insurance is half the price. Parts are double the price ><. I love the skinny feel to the Duc as well. My race bike feels fat and long now.

--Side note: I own a 2002 GSXR 1000 as well - Race bike, prepped for track and track only.

long and colourful...

first there was the littlest honda
(http://www.650motorcycles.com/honda50a.jpg)

then the just a bit less little honda

(http://www.minidoodle.com/4ef289e0.jpg)

then a real motorcycle

(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Classic/Yamaha%20RD350%2075.jpg)

broke that one, got one of these

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/189730589_8a75207bd7.jpg)

crashed it, got one of these next

(http://www.manualesdemotos.net/catalog/images/1981_GS1100E_blue_800.jpg)

sold that one, moved across the country, eventually got this

(http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~bcd/Images/niteha.jpg)

got rear-ended in downtown traffic, after a bit of a break I got this

(http://www.jamesstorie.com/mostro/ottocento.jpg)

next??? multi 1200 touring???

Mine is really short:

1997 TL1000S

(http://www.rideaddict.com/images/tcp_images/97-01tl1000s_full.jpg)

2000 Yamaha R1

(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2000models/2000-Yamaha-YZF-R1b.jpg)

2001 Yamaha R1

(http://www.mysimplelife.com/img/motorcycles/Pahrump-003.jpg)

And last but not least:

(http://www.mysimplelife.com/monster/More-Summer-Fun-09-005.jpg)