DucPond Open House 5/21-5/22

[Slide Panda]

Nah, I think you guys ought to leave about 10 or so, we are leaving earlier but were just a bunch of slow old dudes, you'll probably beat us if you leave at 10. -  - Gene

Old... perhaps... But only slow if you're riding your 50cc scoot, 2-up.

Leave today and you might beat Gene...

[ducati culture]

Will there be a ferry ride along the way?   [moto] [moto] [moto]

[ducati culture]

After last nights test ride and long debate.  I think its time  for a new chain and front an rear sprocket.  As much as I hate to do it.  I think its  best I stay local and sit this one out.  Fawk. 

[tuanogus]

After last nights test ride and long debate.  I think its time  for a new chain and front an rear sprocket.  As much as I hate to do it.  I think its  best I stay local and sit this one out.  Fawk. 

Aww, c'mon! I need a new rear tire and an inspection sticker. Come to think of it... I hope we don't run into Johnny Law on our way out... 

There's some cool stuff happening locally, though. Chili Cook-off for starters... 

[tuanogus]

Argh, stupid rain. Will slab it or cage it. Not sure yet.

[Slide Panda]

So? How was it?

[tuanogus]

So? How was it?

I canceled the group ride due to the weather - almost everyone bailed last minute. Two of us still got together and rode for a while. We split after 120 miles and I ended up riding out to DP after all (he turned home). Except for the occasional, brief sprinkle of rain, things stayed dry while I was there. Awesome time, of course! And I learned a few things...

Spun the M1100 for a bit! Wow! It felt familiar - like a 696 - but with a lot more giddyup-n-go. The suspension felt stiffer, and maybe a wee bit higher. I felt more confident on that bike than my 696 (Hmmm). So, because of this experience, I need to tighten up the suspension on my bike. I'm also convinced my brakes - front and rear - are facked. Donnie is trying to get that taken care of as warranty work for me.

Threw a leg over just about everything there. I confirmed that the monster is still the bike for me.

[ducati culture]

very good! 

Did you ride the street fighter?   

[tuanogus]

Did you ride the street fighter?

I thought about it. I decided I only had time for 1 ride... wanted to have a chance to beat the rain home. Next year.

[Slide Panda]

Spun the M1100 for a bit! Wow! It felt familiar - like a 696 - but with a lot more giddyup-n-go. The suspension felt stiffer, and maybe a wee bit higher. I felt more confident on that bike than my 696 (Hmmm). So, because of this experience, I need to tighten up the suspension on my bike. I'm also convinced my brakes - front and rear - are facked. Donnie is trying to get that taken care of as warranty work for me.

not shocked to hear the 1100s suspension felt better. It's got a number of adjustments that the 696 doesn't have. Also Donnie set it up, so he probably had a mind or gave orders to set it for, ahem, larger American riders. Factory ducati suspension settings are around the 160-170 pound mark. I'm not a fatty, but I go any easy 220 in full gear for example.

I remember when I swapped from my 620 to my 900S - wow it felt more planted. Race tech worked forks and a properly sprung Ohlins shock sure felt different than the stock 620 stuff... So if donnies going to have it for a bit to fo brakes, perhaps you ask him to do some adjustments to the suspension while he's in there

[tuanogus]

So if donnies going to have it for a bit to fo brakes, perhaps you ask him to do some adjustments to the suspension while he's in there

Will do. Unfortunately there's not much to be done with the forks except heavier oil. The rear can be dialed up a bit, though. My list of TBD mods has grown so expensive that I'll probably look for a used 1100 (or something similar) next season.

Lurking in the FS forum already... 

[Slide Panda]

They can add a spacer to the forks to increase the pre load. They just did this for another DMF'er on a 696. He complained that he was dragging the side stand at Summit, so I told him to visit the Pond. They did him with more turns on the rear pre-load, spacers up front along with heavier oil.

[tuanogus]

... spacers up front along with heavier oil.

Hmm, good to learn that. Hopeful...

[twolanefun]

Race tech internals do wonders for the front end, single rate rear spring instaed of a progessive does wonder for the rear. - Gene