Why did you choose a Ducati?

[Jetbrett]

I went back and forth on what kind of bike for years before buying my M695. Admittedly, I should have rode all of the types of bikes I was interested in, but with no prior experience, I couldn't ask someone to lend me their pride an joy...."Hey dud, I don't ride yet, but I want to take a spin on your bike - I'll be right back." 

I strongly considered getting an SV650.  The price was right and I couldn't knock the build quality, but the styling didn't do anything for me.  I was also considering a HD Street Rod, but the used versions I saw didn't seem to be holding up well.  I saw corrosion on some very low mile bikes.   I would have loved to get my hands on a Speed Triple, Daytona, or even a  GSXR 600, but felt these would probably be too much for me. 

Ultimately, I kept coming back to the Monster and the Street Triple.  Street Triples were just coming out and it was impossible to find one to even look at so that left me with the one bike that never got checked off my list. 

I liked the idea of a "nekid" bike since I probably would - and did - drop it.  No scratched up fairings there.  Most of all, I loved the sound of Ducati. (If only it had a dry clutch)  I've often found myself rolling down the window in my car to hear a great sounding bike or car and spent a lot of time getting the exhaust note I wanted out of my Mustang.   Beyond the sound, I thought the styling of the Monster was out of this world.  Whereas the styling of a lot of bikes out there left me flat, the Monster moved my soul every time I looked at it.   

Incidentally, I rushed to buy one of the last 695's here.  The full trellis frame and the analogue gauges were a big plus for me.  I can't explain why, but the 696 doesn't have the same va-va-voom factor for me, but the new 1100 is rapidly growing on me.  Must be the single sided swing arm. 

[drdoom]

I had been out of motorcycling for years when a co worker had a Monster for sale.

I saw it, and it reminded me of a Norton Commando on roids.
                                                                                ^^^^
I knew I had to have it.

Ah yes yes, Nortons on Hemorrhoids!!!... though I'd always imagined it as hemorrhoids on Nortons

[PizzaMonster]

After reading the last six pages of comment I have to say......My reason for choosing a Duc is "ALL OF THE ABOVE!"   

[Maratom]

Originally I wanted to buy a Triumph Streettriple but my girlfriend, who wanted to ride it in the future as well,  didn't like the looks and couldn't get her feet on the ground. Exit the Streettriple and enter the Ducati Monster. The Monster was allready lowered so it would be easy to handle for her and she really liked the looks of the 695 Dark. It was not my first choice but it is not an ugly bike and then again who am I ? Meanwhile I've been riding it for about a year now and I know one thing. If my girlfriend still wants to ride a bike she better gets another one because this one is mine !

[yotogi]

I love my ride for most of the reasons mentioned above.

But another reason I love my bike is the people who posted above. It is a bike that brings out the same feelings I have in so many others. Strange that despite how much we disagree on things how much we still all share.

[corndog67]

I've owned everything buy a Harley or a Duc.   Everything from an ATK 560 with the Rotax engine, to a Bultaco Astro, a copy of a Champion flattracker.   955 Daytona, 1200 Bandit, CBR1000F, CBR900RR, GS Suzooks of various flavors, a load of dirtbikes, and just lately, I started obsessing on Ducati's.  But I bought one anyway.  I heard all of the horror stories about maintenance, expensive parts and cheesy electrics, which I'm finding out about with my S4, but we're working on it.   I like the big midrange, I don't need a 180 mph bike anymore.  I've got a dirtbike for the real thrills, and this Ducati just for fun. 

And Harley hasn't made anything that I like to ride, except for maybe an XR750 or maybe the XR1200.   

[grandpa nate]

Originally I wanted to buy a Triumph Streettriple but my girlfriend, who wanted to ride it in the future as well,  didn't like the looks and couldn't get her feet on the ground. Exit the Streettriple and enter the Ducati Monster. The Monster was allready lowered so it would be easy to handle for her and she really liked the looks of the 695 Dark. It was not my first choice but it is not an ugly bike and then again who am I ? Meanwhile I've been riding it for about a year now and I know one thing. If my girlfriend still wants to ride a bike she better gets another one because this one is mine !

awesome

[DuciD03]

.... it was her Mediterranean looks that seduced me, love at first site, rugged yet so gracefull curves, .... I remember the first time I mounted her, she felt different, perfect fir between rider and machine (I can believe I'm writing this; but what the heck....lol).  It was her exotic Italian curves on the surface but fiery torque beneath, the rumble of the exhaust note, and I couldn't get over how she handled the ribbon of road so expertly ..... forever seducing, taming ....  every turn ....

.... sounds like a Harley; drives like a jap bike ...  [moto] Ducid03

[ducatiz]

.... sounds like a Harley; drives like a jap bike ...  [moto] Ducid03

see, i would think that is a horrible insult

[grandpa nate]

see, i would think that is a horrible insult

+1

[ducatiz]

+1

granpa, johnny cash was the coolest man alive, i love that "nashville establishment salute" pic..

[grandpa nate]

he was/is a god and the world is a lot less cool since he passed....IMO.  But hey  we still have our Ducs

[Loyalizer]

An epiphany that caressed the simple pure liberating nature deep within me.
I placed the key into the ignition, and with a slight twist, turned on my soul....

[DuciD03]

see, i would think that is a horrible insult

ummm just a quick way to summarise a duc to the uniniated  ... no insults intended.

[CraigD426]

The chicks dig it! Plus everyone thinks I'm loaded, "Whoa Ducati!, those are woth like 50 grand right?"