Ducati Monster Forum

I will be going to Italy in September for 10 days, Rome, Bra, Torino, and Assisi - YAY!  While there I'd like to rent a Monster or Multi for a day or two to do some sightseeing that way, but no idea how to go about it.  Any tips, suggestions, words of wisdom greatly appreciated!  So excited!!  [wine]

I think there is an outfit in Bologna near the factory called DucTours that rents IIRC.

http://www.ducatitours.com/index.php (http://www.ducatitours.com/index.php)

Thanks, that looks exactly like what I was looking for to rent a Duc for a day trip!  Unfortunately Lucca where it is located is about 3 hours from each of the cities (Rome, Turin, Florence, Assisi) we plan to be in.  I don't think that company will work out.  :-\

Never rented a bike in Italy (and never saw a shop renting them in 30+ years), but WOW ... expensive!

FWIW Lucca is a city worth seeing. I wouldn't hesitate to include it in your travels.

Ever been to Italy before? People there drive a bit different...

Riding in Palermo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqlWuPhhhYM#)

No, I haven't been there this will be my first time. The friend I am going with lived there for a couple years and doesn't think riding a motorcycle there is a great idea. I however, am so excited and would really like to, but maybe I should shelve the idea and just concentrate on the food, wine, culture, people, and atmosphere  [wine]

I fell MUCH more comfortable riding in Italy than here, when it comes to the aggressive city driving like the above.
In Italy cars expect to be passed both sides, and people do actually use mirrors and blinkers.
Here, even in CA where line splitting is allowed, not so much.
Here basically I split lines only when cars are not moving.

+1 SoCal drivers are idiots. I feel safe in my big '80s MB diesel, but anything smaller(especially a bike) not so much. I have no experience driving in europe, but LA stinks with dumb arses texting on phones and facial grooming while driving. [leo]

I'm a bit confused (because you didn't mention Florence above) ... but Lucca is only about an hour from Florence ... and how are you getting up to Bra/Turin?

We have been to Italy twice ... once involving an ill-fated Ducati Tours tour the second we chose a car.

Yes, in isolation, Ducati Tours are expensive ... but you are riding a properly maintained Ducati in Italy ... you can't expect that to be cheap (and the tours are fully supported). The owner is English which probably helps too.

OK, so my wife did end up having an organ surgically removed during a life-saving emergency operation but riding is probably no more dangerous than say 'at home'. Shit happens - it was just unfortunate that a certain driver wanted to rush through the Audi/Ducati merger before my wife's Monster was ready. This is not a reason to stop people from riding.

Generally speaking the drivers are far more respectful of others than I typically experience at home (in Australia) ... but suggesting they use their indicators and mirrors is rather novel. From my experience it is eyes on the prize (focus is forward). If mirrors are used it is as 'feeler gauges' ... testing the extremities and refining their spatial awareness.

The second time driving was a better option for us for various reasons ... but similar principles apply. I was slow but (relatively) assured ... the Boss chose to 'drive like a local'. Both approaches seemed to work out OK ... but you're probably used to driving on the wrong side of the road. Pedestrians are the ones in real danger ... be mindful of that.

I'm going to be in Rome from June 2-5. Does anyone know of any sort of Ducati renting/tours in that area? It doesn't look like that company offers anything near there.

I don't ... but that certainly doesn't mean they don't exist. The question I would have is why would you want to rent a Ducati in Rome?

... and I don't mean to cause offence, but I am curious

I can recommend Ducatitours in Lucca, but if you're not going to Lucca.......
this place has an office in Rome (I haven't used them)
http://www.cimt.it/rental.htm (http://www.cimt.it/rental.htm)

None taken! I'll be there on business, but those last few days I'll be free. I Would like to pickup/dropoff in Rome for convenience. I certainly wouldnt ride it around Rome. [thumbsdown]

I was stationed there as a young Italian army paratrooper. Lucca is still in my heart. Definitely worth seeing and the country side around it is beautiful

If they wouldn't, you'd find dead motorcyclists every 50 meters  ;D
You know, as car driver, that you have constant chances that motorcycles (especially scooters) are passing you on both sides.
If car drivers would drive like here, you would literally have downed motorcycles every block.

Never used this company before but rates are not too bad http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/italy/pisa_rental.html (http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/italy/pisa_rental.html)

I'm going to Bologna in July. I'm renting a bike from 2wheeltravel.com. I needed unlimited mileage and they had the best prices. Unfortunately I'm not getting a Duc.

http://www.2wheeltravel.com/Motorcycle%20Hire/italyhire.htm (http://www.2wheeltravel.com/Motorcycle%20Hire/italyhire.htm)

Italian (and most European) drivers tend to be more aware of vehicles around them because nearly everyone on bikes/scooters/cycles two & four legs filters around stop-and-go traffic.

You don't really need to check your mirrors, you just know someone's there thanks to engine noise, honking... Part of it is because most people ride two wheels before they get on all four, so nearly everyone knows the drill. 8)

I think the main reason for (relatively) low accidents is that everyone is going at low speeds in stop-and-go traffic so:
 1. you're going so slow that all you need to do is put a foot down, and
 2. it's so packed, there's really nowhere to fall [laugh]

Most of the deadly accidents happen when/where people drive fast: outside of the cities and/or at nighttime, when there's little traffic and people want to get it out of their systems.

I looked back at our itinerary and originally got it wrong.  We will be flying in to Torino, train to Florence, then Assisi, then Rome.