Ducati Monster Forum

So the wife finally got the courage and we went and bought gear this weekend. Now, she has never been on a bike before, I don't want to take her on the freeway just yet, so where would be a good area close to the IE to get her started and comfortable?

Thanks!

Sorry, not what you asked, but have you seen these? Combined with a few cuts in the pegs, they'll 'glue' her in place  [thumbsup]

http://www.triboseat.com/ (http://www.triboseat.com/)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-MOTORBIKE-PILLION-PASSENGER-HANDLES/dp/B00B4RN6HM (http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-MOTORBIKE-PILLION-PASSENGER-HANDLES/dp/B00B4RN6HM)

Cuts in the pegs? The ones on the 821 seem pretty grippy, especially compared to the ones I had on the S2R1000


Looks like it's made from this stuff...
http://www.amazon.com/Shelf-Drawer-Liner-GARAGE-Black/dp/B007GYPUF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448922790&sr=8-1&keywords=non-skid+shelf+liner
 (http://www.amazon.com/Shelf-Drawer-Liner-GARAGE-Black/dp/B007GYPUF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448922790&sr=8-1&keywords=non-skid+shelf+liner)

IE is a big place.

Roughly where's your location?

I haven't seen the 821 pegs, but if they're grippier than our S2R pegs - it should be enough.

The somewhat important difference between shelf liner and Triboseat is the open parts - the result is more pressure on each thread which makes them stick better (I've tried both). Also nice with the sturdy string which fastens the cover well. YMMV

Not forgetting the important part here: very good that she's up for a ride  [thumbsup]

Norco. I-15 and 6th Street

Temescal Canyon from ~Corona down to Lake Elsinore.

From Temescal you can go East on Cajalco, loop around Lake Matthews.

Took a trip down to Lake Elsinore on Christmas Day. It was a nice day for a ride, lots of slower stuff for her to get comfortable on. Spent most of the time <50mph. Long sweepers getting her comfortable with leaning. She's really starting to like it. Next two investments: Sena intercom, panniers for short weekend trips to either Vegas or Phoenix to visit family.

(http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p513/NAKID1/34ABDA75-FA92-48BE-ACCA-8D1FBAFC4A39_zps6ohrcpwg.jpg) (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/NAKID1/media/34ABDA75-FA92-48BE-ACCA-8D1FBAFC4A39_zps6ohrcpwg.jpg.html)

the Clinton Keith-Tenaja-Volcano-Carancho-De Luz-Rancho California  route is a nice extension from Ortega and drops you off in south Old Temecula.

Picked up some Givi bags from Jeff at MonsterParts. Threw them on and realized that with them mounted far enough forward to clear the rear signals, she couldn't reach the passenger pegs (she's only 5'0"). Oh darn, now I NEED an integrated tail light kit. And while I'm at it, a tail chop kit.

Both came from MotoDynamic (Integrated Tail Light, (http://www.motodynamic.com/2014-2016-ducati-monster-821-1200-sequential-led-tail-light-clear.html) Tail Chop (http://www.motodynamic.com/fender-eliminator-kit-ducati-monster-1200-2014-2016.html))  and are very well built and have the proper connectors to hook into the existing wiring harness.

Also got a plate that mounts to the back of the license plate to lock both helmets (Helmet Guardian (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/helmet-guardian-black)) since the stock setup won't work with the bags on.

So far the whole setup works well and she's starting to enjoy it more. I think the next trip will be an overnighter to either Phoenix to visit my family or Vegas to visit hers.

I've not ridden to Vegas.
But I rode from Tucson to Riverside on my Monster in one day about 10 years ago.
It was definitely in the top five 'most miserable days I've had on a bike'.
Just sayin'.

On the S2R1000, I rode from the Norco to Phoenix and back in 18 hours.

Vegas is much shorter (about 250 from us) and getting 45mpg compared to 25mpg for the SUV makes sense. Especially when it's just going to be the two of us...

Granted, it makes sense, $30 is $30.

There's 'destination' trips, and 'journey' trips.
I prefer a car for the former, and a moto for the latter.
Even moreso with a relatively newb pillion.

True, and that's definitely on the list. But, I'd like to get her comfortable with some real distance on the bike before we do any 'journey' trips. She's still building up her strength.

careful with those around here.  some cities are more enthusiastic about citing for those than others.  If you can see the ocean from your bike, is especially true.

Rider to pillion communication is a great idea, but has to be managed. My wife loves riding pillion, but falls asleep after 30 mins without it. We can now take longer trips in safety. It also helps with the rider being able to alert the pillion to hang on, etc or the pillion able to ask for a pee stop, coffee break, etc. It's good to check on how they are going, if they are comfortable and give feedback on their movement on the bike.
Plus you two can just catch up on the journey. However, all the rules on concentrating on your riding apply.

Right. It's been especially convenient lately because I can ask her if she's comfortable, if she can handle a bit more speed, etc.

We hit some exceptionally bad traffic this weekend and she came on to tell me that she thought she was ready to split lanes, as long as I took it slow.

When we got through it, again asked her how it was and she said she didn't like it, but it was better than sitting in traffic heating up.


What's the issue? I haven't heard any issues with them? Actually, the day after I put them on I got popped for speeding and the moto cop didn't even mention the lights.

I think it's DOT NHTSA FMVSS section 108(?), off the top of my head.  indicators have to be X (9?) inches apart from the center line of the bike.

I know a lot of guys who've gotten fixit tickets for integrated lights, usually in beach cities.  but it's inconsistent, as you've found.