Ducati Monster Forum

This is my question: To your knowledge, what are some of the most extreme places/environments/trips anyone has ever taken a Monster to? It can be yourself or just anything you know of. By extreme, I mean both geographical and environmental extremes. So examples would be like down the length of South America to Ushuaia, beyond the Arctic Circle, circumnavigating around the world, following the Silk Road, etc.

Even better if there are links and pictures!

Derbys crotch.

I think a modified Monster was used for some Pike's Peak climbs.

not to any extreme places, but extreme temps for prolonged periods.


about 9 years ago I took a cross continent trip and rode through Kansas, Oklahoma and the Texas pan handle in what was reported as the worst heat wave in 70 years with temperatures over 110 degrees. I rode 12-14 hr days, only stopping for gas and water. I ended up burning a quarter size hole in the carbon fibre skin of both Hindle exhaust cans on the inside, and burned about a quart and a half of oil over 3 days. Other than that, the old 01 900 performed flawlessly even when getting stuck in stop and go traffic through urban areas.

It certainly put any early fears to rest that my air cooled monster might one day over heat.

Mine has been to 24 states so far.  In 2010, I only had 4 days between the end of a job in San Diego and the start of one in Cleveland, so I rode a 900-mile day to Albuquerque followed by three 600-mile days, to OK City, St. Louis, and Cleveland.  In Oct 2011, I again set out from San Diego on it, this time to NH, via NOLA and Barber Raceway.  This time I gave myself enough time to enjoy the trip.

I've ridden it in Arizona desert heat, and now have ridden it in the snow in both OH and NH.  As well as freezing rain, hail, and other impediments at various times.

And mainly, I've ridden as my primary transportation, nearly every day, for over 18 years.

PhilB

ive ridden my Carbed 944 in 100+ degree weather for 2 days at 12-14 hours a day.

ive also ridden my bike in 2-3 degree ambient temp (so add in wind chill) i was doing pretty much 60-80mph for an hour. And the my oil never passed LO. so impretty sure thats like reving ur motor while cold. and i was using 5w oil, not 00 or anything special.

ive ridden it through a tropical storm for 2 days. the tach hasnt really worked right since then.

mine has only been to 14 states. will be trying to add 8 states to it this year though (including cali!)

Commuted daily in the AZ heat. Most was 118°...

Been down many rough dirt roads & a few times had to fiord 12-18" of standing water with it. (99 M750)

Pittsburgh pot holes are pretty effing brutal, if I may say so myself.

(http://www.wtae.com/2010/0302/22709820_480X360.jpg)

You guys call that a pothole?

(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/hlep2890/Pothole.jpg)

Have ridden in 50°C heat. The glue melted out of my helmet exhaust vent. That was during Black Saturday a few years ago. I'm guessing the air temp off the road was higher.
I've left the glue trails on the helmet, makes for a good story.

i searched out one that stood out in memory:
(http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/wheeldeal/files/2010/02/Pothole-1.jpg)

I live in S. Florida between the heat and the almost daily rain storms I'm surprised everything metal here has rusted away yet.

Had to go from Durango, CO to Colorado Springs. I screwed around alot, rode the Million Dollar Hwy, etc. and found myself having to go up some 12 or 13K ft. pass at around 11pm. Cold as hell, ill prepared, no wind protection, steep drop offs and wearing a smoked face shield. Snowed at the top. It's something watching your temperature guage going down while you ride. Still had about 2 or 3 hours to ride after that.

Ugh I can't wait to get back home and ride all over that pass. I miss the four corners!! Did you find yourself reaching back for some good ol' exhaust warmth on that one?

It was only after we descended the other side of Monarch pass that it started to warm back up a little. I will usually reach down with my hand and hold onto the cases for warmth.

Million Dollar Hwy :o!

A while back I was stuck with my duc as my only transportation so on the 20 degree mornings I found myself putting my hands there all the time ha! The only reason I'm debating getting rid of the high exhaust lol.

I hit a pothole like this, after dark, on a freeway north of Detroit, on my way west.


I didn't make it out west.


somehow I didn't get thrown, but the severe thump on the exhaust header coming out the pothole snapped both sides of the engine case where the rear engine hanger bolt runs through.

took it 10,000 miles in 30 days last year.  NYC to cali on the south route, cali to NYC on the northern route with canada.

the sun was the hottest in AZ.  if the bike was parked for a few minutes in the sun, i had to pour some water on the seat to cool it enough so i can sit on it.  otherwise it would cook my balls.

the heat index was the hottest in IL (heat wave)  124 degrees!  way too humid.

lowest temperature was 23 degrees on the same trip.  the eastern road at yosemite had only opened that day in july.  was closed due to snow.  this led to some awesome waterfall views in most of cali.  too bad i only had summer gear with me.  i was freezing.

most challenging road - moki dugway/valley of the gods.  was riding 2-up and about another 100 lbs of camping gear.  dirt/gravel was not so fun.

Canada ... [laugh] ;D