Hey there,
Certifiable bike nut here.
I've been riding for going on 2 decades now, started riding back when I started work at Chilton Book Co in the early 90s.
My riding history has been long and somewhat varied, as I was fortunate to have access to a lot of press bikes in addition to the myriad of what I've owned.
Most of my rides to date have been Harleys and BMWs, though nearly 8 years ago I started to venture into the Italian bike market and currently own 2 Moto Guzzis.
Honestly, I've flirted with ownership of a sportbike of some sort since I was riding the country on my first Harley (93 Sportster) and enjoying rides on demos and press bikes from all sorts of manufacturers. Rides like the Buell ST and XB, Speed Triple, Vmax (1st Gen), Bandit 1200, K1200R etc.
But the closest I ever came was my R1100RS, and even that was a big heavy sport tourer.
I've decided that I'm definitely an air-cooled twin kinda guy as that's what MOST of my bikes have been to date (and probably will be as long as I can find ones I like).
My wife (Jenn) rides as well, and has owned a BMW (R65) as well as 2 Harleys (the XL1200Lr we still have).
Truthfully I'd all but given up on the Sportbike thing recognizing the fact that I will never really be mature enough to own any kinda top-dog Sportbike. But my wife has been making noise about a Ducati for years (ever since we first took out the 620/695 for a demo).
So this spring we decided we've been putting it off too long and if we're gonna buy Jenn something more sporty it's NOW OR NEVER (especially since we recently found out she's pregnant).
We wound up at FBF this past Saturday where, DESPITE my best efforts to add a 3rd Guzzi to the garage Jenn settled on a new Red/Red M696 (w/ ABS, gotta be safe for the baby).
It should arrive in the next couple of weeks.
Very much looking forward to adding it to our fleet and learning a bit more about it here.
RIDE SAFE ALL,
Kev (& Jenn)
PS a few pics of the current fleet
(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/IMG_20131221_162109_855a.jpg)
(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/GrayGoose.jpg)
(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2010-08-06%2008.45.05a.jpg)
Helllo, is this thing on? [coffee]
Well, thanks for all the warm welcomes, I can see I'm gonna fit in just fine here... [wine]
So continuing with my theme of talking to myself here - the salesman emailed yesterday and said they expect the bike to be delivered and uncrated/prepped today - meaning WE SHOULD PICK IT UP TOMORROW.
Sadly the next most sporty bike we own (the Breva) is in pieces as the ECM is in CA getting reflashed, so I guess I gotta give Jenn and ride on her Sporty or my Jackal to go pick it up.
Very excited, she gets it just in time for Mother's Day.
We don't have an official greeter here so maybe your thread just got missed ok? Congratulations on your new 696, nice bikes you have. Try checking out your local area board, maybe there are some people in your area to meet and greet.
Quote from: JBubble on May 06, 2011, 07:00:53 AM
We don't have an official greeter here so maybe your thread just got missed ok?
LOL, no worries - I've been watching the "View" count go up. I figured no-one had anything in particular to say. No biggie.
Quote from: JBubble on May 06, 2011, 07:00:53 AM
Congratulations on your new 696, nice bikes you have. Try checking out your local area board, maybe there are some people in your area to meet and greet.
Thanks much and yeah, I figure'd I'd look for local events once we got it home...
RIDE SAFE
Kev
Updated photo of the fleet...
(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/IMG_20110511_175726a.jpg)