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Title: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 01:38:47 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49080277883_5c924a6fe1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM4fFD)IMG_2528 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM4fFD) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Regional Symbol at a lookout. The GLW and I recently had a ride through Chianti covering over 250kms in a day over rolling twisting hills, through the vineyards and olive groves off the main highways. We picked up our Scrambler 800 from Firenze Ducati and followed our guide Francesco (Frank got stuck with the 400) through busy city roads to get out to the B and C grade roads with 25-50 mph speed zones. We only used a main road late in the day due to time constraints which was a 55mph dual lane highway back to Florence. More on speed limits later. Some of the best rural roads were cobbled and broken up switchback lanes and we went through many small villages in the area, snaking through Chianti's beautiful countryside. I was nervous about riding through town in Italian traffic, on the wrong side of the road, with a pillion, on roads I didn't know and being quite jet lagged. I considered putting a sign on my pillion's back saying "Scusi, stupido Australiano touristo", but it wasn't needed. Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: ducpainter on November 17, 2019, 02:30:42 PM Seems you're out of your element. ;D
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 02:32:54 PM I really had to concentrate in town and was glad to have a riding guide and reference for Italy's driving conventions. There are laws and there are conventions. In Firenze I rode in a way that would get you bashed via Meth fueled road rage in Melbourne, but the Florentine drivers all cram into each roundabout giving just enough to all get through. This is Florence after all, I can't speak for other cities. The drivers motorcycle awareness and give and take attitude whilst all changing lanes in a three lane roundabout was exceptional. A testament to the skill and flexibility of drivers moving in a wonderfully organised chaos. Grazie to you all.
We consistently travelled at 20 kms above every speed limit to stay with the flow of traffic and not be a traffic hazard. Strictly follow the speed limit and you will die. I was doing 110km in a 90 zone in the slow lane and was passed on the fast lane by girls in heels on their scooters. How could you not fall in love! I knew I was gonna love this place when we arrived at the airport to find the gorgeous female airport cops oblivious to the line of overseas visitors while they did their hair and make up. Viva Italia! If you notice back to front grammar its due to me trying to think more in English now as I was trying to practice my pretty rough Italian while there and we just got back yesterday. My grammar is sounding like a translation of a Ducati workshop manual. Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 02:33:43 PM Seems you're out of your element. ;D ;D We had a ball. [thumbsup] Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: kopfjäger on November 17, 2019, 03:52:57 PM Outstanding! [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 04:00:42 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49080886506_3114093703_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM7nB9)IMG_2535 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM7nB9) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 04:02:33 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49082024371_bc0f2c4a1d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMdcRv)IMG_2521 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMdcRv) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 05:08:58 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49081491368_eb02184038_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMatpN)IMG_2520 (https://flic.kr/p/2hMatpN) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 07:01:39 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49082661877_6fdf219567_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgtmZ)IMG_2546 (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgtmZ) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Walled medieval town of Monte Riggioni Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 07:02:49 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49082672792_185db154fe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgwBb)IMG_2543 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgwBb) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 07:19:51 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49081121112_ad28d36cd9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM8zm5)IMG_2518 (https://flic.kr/p/2hM8zm5) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Bumped into John Wick in the hotel lobby. He gave me this and said to use it if I got into trouble. Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: kopfjäger on November 17, 2019, 07:49:10 PM ;)
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 10:47:02 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49083175441_e01df332ae_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMj72x)IMG_2621 (https://flic.kr/p/2hMj72x) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Saw quite a few older Monsters and many 1200 Multis out and about. The bike cops use the big Multi's. Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 10:53:35 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49081187042_cbec22a838_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM8UWN)IMG_2607 (https://flic.kr/p/2hM8UWN) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Went to Bolognia too. Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 11:12:57 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49080625898_b0d7673c47_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hM638U)IMG_2609 (https://flic.kr/p/2hM638U) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 17, 2019, 11:15:26 PM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49082746648_622660f6ab_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgUyy)IMG_2526 (1) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMgUyy) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 18, 2019, 12:40:52 AM (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49083481366_58be098a97_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hMkEY7)IMG_2527 (https://flic.kr/p/2hMkEY7) by Tony Kokonis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150482584@N03/), on Flickr
A shout out to Francesco, Damiano, Carlo and Daniela at Ridetuscany and Ducati Firenze. Thanks for the personal friendly service, and especially to Francesco for being a great guide and riding buddy [thumbsup] Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: Duck-Stew on November 18, 2019, 03:54:18 AM That looks amazing! Thanks for the write up and pics!!
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: Howie on November 18, 2019, 04:06:12 AM Wish I was there!
Enjoy [wine] Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 18, 2019, 05:09:59 AM Thanks guys, you're welcome. It was a bucket list item ticked. What I appreciated was the ride being tailor made for our requirements. Fuel, lead rider/guide, bikes, gear, lunch and coffee stops all inclusive for a single day or a number of days. Was surprisingly competitively priced too. Just a more personal way of doing it. You could plan a high paced ride with a group or just two bikes like we did. We needed regular stops as the GLW has skating injuries. We brought our Airhawk pillion seat pad, knee armour, boots, pants and gloves. With my passenger I was riding at a gentle touring pace taking in the scenery and stopping for a regular espresso or panini. ;D. We were quicker than some we came upon (BMW and V-Strom guys), but some guys on Ducati SBK's and 1200 Multi's flew past also.
I think we'll go back in a few years and see more. I'd like to do the same in the States some time. I enjoyed touring rural California on a Bonneville and Sportster 27 years ago . Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: GK on November 18, 2019, 11:29:25 AM Looks and sounds like an amazing experience Bro!
Italian women in high heels zooming past you on scooters? Gotta love Italy! Lol! Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 18, 2019, 11:51:21 AM Yep, pretty ladies elegantly dressed in skirts and heels passing me on the outside :D That was in town of course during the peak hour "Florence Moto GP" :o. Very high average driver and rider skill level.
Title: Re: Chianti by Scrambler Post by: koko64 on November 18, 2019, 03:33:35 PM My impressions of the current model Scrambler Icon below. Maybe being a hire bike it was restricted, but it felt slower than my mildly tuned M750. Suspension appears much improved from previous models however.
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