Ducati Monster Forum

Wow, I can see how easy it is to get into trouble riding!  I did my first track time (the full Monti) earlier this month, and had SO MUCH FUN I thought I died and went to heaven!  I've ridden a bunch more times on the road, and felt more and more confident and relaxed each time. This past Sunday in Harriman State Park, NY, I was having a nice relaxing ride with my husband, leaf-peeping and watching all the Asians taking pictures.  I look in my mirrors to see a bunch of non-cage headlights rapidly approaching, so I sit up, ride to the right, and wave them by, so they can continue on their merry way.  There were also cars in front of us as well as other non-sport bikes, but I figured these guys didn't care, so let 'em go!

Well... one by one they slowly passed... Ducati after Ducati with others thrown in, ... probably about 8 in all.  Because I was not spooked at all by riders riding almost my speed right next to me  (my track experience), I felt like I was right in there WITH them!  A few of them also gave me the thumbs up when they saw my bike as they slowly passed, which fueled my evil thoughts of joining them even MORE!

THEN THE CLINCHER... just as my coach on the track did when I was following him, the lead rider on the 1098 slung his ass off the side of his bike, (sorry, but that is the SEXIEST thing EVER!!!)  and this little bell rang in my head....DING!  GAME ON!!!
My heart raced, my throttle hand tightened, my face glowed with a devil smile, and if my husband wasn't in front of me, oblivious to my adrenaline rush, I'm damn sure I would have jumped on the tail of their roaring serpentine pack!
Thank goodness they started passing cars on the left AND right, and I'm not doing that... so bye bye, have fun, you HOOLIGANS!
I smiled all the way home, and thought how lucky I am to find something that makes me SO HAPPY, and some day I SWEAR I will try some Hooligan-Shenannigans, (if the rat-pack comes-a-growlin!!), but be smart enough to not ride over my head, because "stupid hurts"!

The stickers on their bikes will say "I love boobies" and mine will say "I love HAVING boobies"!!!

good for you.  you kept your composure and stayed within your abilities.  we have several packs around here and I always ride with the "slow" group that still averages 80 to 100 mph, not even going to explain the speeders running rabbit.  [evil]
aint life grand when you can enjoy something so much?   [thumbsup]

[rant on/]
why is it that hoards of people head to Harriman State Park to get out of NYC, but then they insist on walking on the roads.... why don't they go find a trail or something? I don't get it.  Also watch out for the bicyclists as well.
[/rant off]

Ride Safe
M

Oh I admire your restraint.

I'm sure had I been in your situation I'd have dropped the hammer.

My situation is I ride alone and hardly ever come across other groups of any riders other than H-Ds or Cruisers.

Just one time when I'm riding the 1098 R I'd like to hook up w, some sport bikes.

Game on !

Probably best I haven't.

Dolph    (http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn198/DoubleEagle_photo/ride.gif)

That's awesome!!! Just read it to my GF, she wants to get a bike but it's just not the right time...finishing her degree and all.

I love reading posts from the women riders that praise riding and talk about how much fun they're having, I feel like maybe it'll make my GF realize that it is possible for girls to do the same thing as the men!

get out of there with that crap....next thing you know they'll be asking to vote and stuff

I'm in the same boat as you Dolph.  Always solo.  I cross paths with sport bikes ever now and again, but I don't fit in.  Something about their shorts and flip flops that doesn't appeal to me.  I always find it funny how my Monster inspires a nod at most, but the 999 seems to activate their wheelie instinct.  I guess the Ninjas feels threatened.

Me too. I get frustrated being behind people sometimes, and being in front of them at other times. I also find it easier to get into a groove when I'm solo because it's easier to go at my own speed (fast or slow).

Cool write-up Twistd

[laugh] [laugh]
She just started burning her bras last week!

I didn't mean it like that, even though she has expressed the want for a bike she just gets real nervous because she's a girl and doesn't think she'll be able to handle it. I like reading her some of the posts from the woman that are having a total blast. I'm hoping that it will help her realize that there are women out there doing the same thing. We don't see too many, if any, woman riding bikes other than scooters here in LA.

She never comes on any of the canyon runs I do and all of the people I ride with are guys.

no worries man, just messing witcha

As if you ever go on rides with us!!!   [laugh]

Maybe if you did, you'd get to ride along with Erica   [thumbsup]

Ha, touche sir.

I'm ready for the next one!

Sorry for the thread jack!

Way to stay cool there:-)

You ride w, River ?

Dolph       :)

I'll drive your direction more often.... If we did meet up, somehow I don't think my 696 will keep up...

Plus I'm afraid of giants.  ;D

Restraint is hard at times as your competitive instinct takes over.  The question is can your skills match it?  That's where most riders f up.

Dolph - game on!  Well bring it on twisty then.   If you want to run across sport bikers, I can easily arrange that where we happen to come across you n ofcourse proceed to pass you. :-).

Duc750 - I ride with a girl that outrides 99% of the dudes around here that talk smack.  Her favorite is corners and not str8.  If she leaned any further, she would take off the tire brand name.  She is that good. :-)

Psychedelic - IMHO I don't think the ninjas are threatened at all.  Rather they are ready to take on the Ducati 999, 1098 , 848, 1198 come across etc on.  Shit, on ramps n corners even I will egg on my puny 620 a Ducati 848,999,1098 etc that I came across.  Cant help it.  Sad when you see have huge chicken strips n not riding it like it is meant to be.  ( I by no means am implying I am good far from that)  But sadly most of the duc riders I come across (except two on 848, 1098) don't ride hard at all (it seems)  Thereby the reputation that duc riders are show offs only or their bikes are "garage queens". Honestly, I am starting to believe that for my area for good reason.  Too much talk but not enough leaning or hitting twisty.  Don't care about how fast you are on str8.

Twistedchic -  one thing I observed and having talked with other riders is that we have come across people that are good on tracks and are excellent.  But they freeze up on the twisty routes ride.  Streets and twisty routes especially doesn't compare to track.  Two separate things.  Twisty routes keep you SHARP as well as streets.  Track doesn't necessarily prepare you gor the unexpected, the blind curves n horizons.

:-)

Yes.  Ericka came out a few weekends ago with Orangelion03, myself, and a few others when we hit up the 33 from Ojai, CA

Oh, and ab, knowing only two other Duc owners that ride hard. C'mon... You really haven't ridden with me!   [roll]  [evil]
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp231/tazios/DanteRun.jpg)


;D



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Junkie of Bacon - ha ha I am just messing around.   :P  I know every1 is cool.  Besides, I did qualify my statement by stating "... in my area..".  ;-) 
 ;D

I know...  I just was using your statement to shamelessly post a pic of myself in order to further boost my already elevated delusions of grandeur and bad-assedness!   [laugh]




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