Took the bike out for her final spin today and have winterized her for hibernation.
In all my spare online time of looking for parts, gear and other Ducati stuff I noticed that there isn't a DESMO Owners Club representing the DC/VA/MD area. Have one ever been created before? Just curious....Feeling ambitious and thought it would be awesome to establish one if we could.
What is involved, and what are the incentives/benefits of starting a formal club? It's not clear to me from what little I could glean from the Ducati web site.
Here is my commentary...
In my mind, it seems we already have a club (thanks to DMF). I admit we're a bit unwieldy, and we're composed of a very diverse group of individuals, but I think it's as good as it's going to get for such a broad and transient region. I fear a DESMO club would start strong, only to wither out over time. And Ducati deserves better than that. I'd rather have a strong grassroots community than a lackluster formal community. I'd rather our neighbors hear rumors about a local Ducati club than visit an empty web site.
Having said that, I'd support you should you choose to give it a go.
MAD (Mid Atlantic Ducati) is a sanctioned Ducati club.
Quote from: Autohag on December 05, 2010, 05:37:08 PM
What is involved, and what are the incentives/benefits of starting a formal club? It's not clear to me from what little I could glean from the Ducati web site.
Here is my commentary...
In my mind, it seems we already have a club (thanks to DMF). I admit we're a bit unwieldy, and we're composed of a very diverse group of individuals, but I think it's as good as it's going to get for such a broad and transient region. I fear a DESMO club would start strong, only to wither out over time. And Ducati deserves better than that. I'd rather have a strong grassroots community than a lackluster formal community. I'd rather our neighbors hear rumors about a local Ducati club than visit an empty web site.
Having said that, I'd support you should you choose to give it a go.
Point taken and thanks for your view and support. I have become very fond of the DMF and all the advice, ideas I have gotten while surfing the board and looking at other peoples projects and finished Ducs. I think it might be hard to maintain a DESMO group given that making it out to weekly meet-ups is a challenge for me in itself. I see that Virginia is supposed to have one soon, so I'll keep my eye on that to see how well it does.
Quote from: DRKWNG on December 05, 2010, 07:50:17 PM
MAD (Mid Atlantic Ducati) is a sanctioned Ducati club.
yes mad-ducati.com and they have been a sanctioned DESMO owners club for 12 years now...
Quote from: zooom on December 06, 2010, 05:12:01 AM
yes mad-ducati.com and they have been a sanctioned DESMO owners club for 12 years now...
[moto]
You need to work on your google-fu. I search "washington dc ducati club" and it came up as the 7th item. They could do better, really aught to be 1st or 2nd for a search like that. But hey, it's my job to do SEO shit, so I'm picky.
As said MAD is an official DOC with dues (really low though) a charter, officers and all that. While they do a number of really good things, it can get a little political. But hey, the dues are only like $20 a year so have 3 less burritos over a year an it's paid for.
If you have any interest in doing a track day you should sign up with them. They organize a few each year and do a good job of it.
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on December 04, 2010, 05:33:21 PM
Took the bike out for her final spin today and have winterized her for hibernation.
What's that??? Just keep riding 8)
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on December 04, 2010, 05:33:21 PM
In all my spare on-line time of looking for parts, gear and other Ducati stuff I noticed that there isn't a DESMO Owners Club representing the DC/VA/MD area. Have one ever been created before? Just curious....Feeling ambitious and thought it would be awesome to establish one if we could.
If you have the time and the will I would suggest helping out on the MAD site. No offense intended but that thing looks less lively than a retirement home. Lots of good info tho, just stagnant.
You could also spend some time on the dc area forums (dcsportbikes.net and .com), and be the DMF missionary ;)
Quote from: Pepe' on December 06, 2010, 06:59:33 AM
You could also spend some time on the dc area forums (dcsportbikes.net and .com), and be the DMF missionary ;)
Ungh... the signal not noise ratio on DCSportBikes gets really irritating. I log on about once a year, read a few posts and go 'These guys are idiots' and leave...
Quote from: Pepe' on December 06, 2010, 06:59:33 AM
If you have the time and the will I would suggest helping out on the MAD site. No offense intended but that thing looks less lively than a retirement home. Lots of good info tho, just stagnant.
the MAD group, unfortunately, has tried to migrate to forum-style repeated times, but the generally older, main and active membership has continually pushed for and uses mainly, an Email list serve...so that level of activity is deceptive...not to say that the website is the greatest, but it is MUCH better than it was....
I don't mesh well with organization and the often resulting politics. I like the rag tag bunch of assholes we are currently. To each their own.
Quote from: Artful on December 06, 2010, 07:47:31 AM
I don't mesh well with organization and the often resulting politics. I like the rag tag bunch of assholes we are currently. To each their own.
someone, quick, post the video link of Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet in Spaceballs saying how he is surrounded by assholes....
so it's gone from the graveyard to the retirement home... oh well ;)
and here's the video, "keep firing assholes!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi7D9DAcKOg (//http://)
Quote from: Sad Panda on December 06, 2010, 06:03:24 AM
so have 3 less burritos over a year an it's paid for.
HERESY!!Quote from: Sad Panda on December 06, 2010, 07:28:02 AM
Ungh... the signal not noise ratio on DCSportBikes gets really irritating. I log on about once a year, read a few posts and go 'These guys are idiots' and leave...
Yep. Had that pretty much sussed out before I ever left Hawaii.
Quote from: Artful on December 06, 2010, 07:47:31 AM
I don't mesh well with organization and the often resulting politics. I like the rag tag bunch of assholes we are currently. To each their own.
Hahahaha.....Well are you ready for another wheel taping adventure with yours truly. This time I'll have beer payment ready [drink]
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on December 06, 2010, 07:02:01 PM
Hahahaha.....Well are you ready for another wheel taping adventure with yours truly. This time I'll have beer payment ready [drink]
You drive a hard bargain ;) Don't worry about buying more either, I'll cut you some at the office. Took me a minute to figure out who this was, the name change threw me ;)
Quote from: Artful on December 07, 2010, 06:02:54 AM
You drive a hard bargain ;) Don't worry about buying more either, I'll cut you some at the office. Took me a minute to figure out who this was, the name change threw me ;)
Awww man. Pro Italia will have my new yellow tape delivered today at some point.
Lol can't win for losing.
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on December 05, 2010, 09:19:43 PM
I see that Virginia is supposed to have one soon, so I'll keep my eye on that to see how well it does.
Maybe, stay tuned. - Gene
Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on December 07, 2010, 06:20:29 AM
Awww man. Pro Italia will have my new yellow tape delivered today at some point.
I have a buegler pin striping kit http://beugler.com/beta.html (http://beugler.com/beta.html) and some old ST3 wheels to practice on, been thinking about having a pin striping party,. I kinda floated the idea by Donnie at Duc Pond. The advantage would be expert assistance with wheel removal if needed and perhaps the discovery of a need for wheel bearings, new bake pads etc Not sure how it would go down maybe a nominal fee for use of shop space. I also have a heated, carpeted, lighted storage space that I store my bikes in, but not enough room to do more than one bike at a time. I'm going out to DucPond on Thursday, I'll follow-up with Donnie. - Gene
Quote from: twolanefun on December 21, 2010, 03:07:19 AM
I have a buegler pin striping kit http://beugler.com/beta.html (http://beugler.com/beta.html) and some old ST3 wheels to practice on, been thinking about having a pin striping party,. I kinda floated the idea by Donnie at Duc Pond. The advantage would be expert assistance with wheel removal if needed and perhaps the discovery of a need for wheel bearings, new bake pads etc Not sure how it would go down maybe a nominal fee for use of shop space. I also have a heated, carpeted, lighted storage space that I store my bikes in, but not enough room to do more than one bike at a time. I'm going out to DucPond on Thursday, I'll follow-up with Donnie. - Gene
Thanks. Am seriously jealous that you are headed to DucPond this week.
If you are interested in joing a Northern Virginia Ducati Club contact me at 2vtwin@comcast.net