Italy

[Tommy T.]

Just got back from two weeks in Italy.  Lots of scooters.  Lots of Japanese bikes.  Lot of Triumphs.  Not many Italian motorcycles.

I did spot this Duc in Pisa:



Tommy T.

[lwszabo]

In my mind there were Ducatis everywhere in Italy.....guess I was wrong.

[Scotzman]

Kind of ironic.

[DoubleEagle]

Must be because Rossi rides a Yamadog.

Dolph

[geoffduc]

If you want to see Ducati's in Italy go to the next WDW i'm sure you won't be disapointed.

Hey Dolph are you coming over to Misano next year, you know us old guys have got to get together some time!! 

 

[Devin Loves His DARK,,,]

italy is beautiful, ive only been there thru my tv though

[armybiker]

Italy is awesome I was there this last Nov while on R&R from Iraq. I seen dozens of Duc's, all on the factory tour, not many on the road that time of year though LOL.  I look forward to the time I get back over there to ride some of the awesomest roads I have seen. Its a shame I was in a cage.

[Tommy T.]

To be more specific, in 15 days, driving from Milan to Verona to Venice to Pisa to Rome, we saw fewer than 10 Ducs, parked or on the road.  That is not counting one day in the hills of southern Tuscany where we came upon a big ride event with marshalls, sponsors, and an ambulance sweep vehicle riding out of the old Etruscan city of Pitigliano.  That event had at least a couple of hundred bikes including twenty or so Ducs.

There were very, very few motorcycles in any city -- but probably as many scooters as cars in some towns.  The scoots range from 1950 Vespa beaters to many of the newer Burgman style and at least a couple of the new two-in-front three-wheelers every day.  In Rome, we saw several of the BMW scooters with roofs. 

We were there primarily for outdoor activities -- rock climbing in the Dolomites, wind surfing Lake Garda and swimming on the Riviera beaches -- but we did a fair amount of driving on small roads.  It was unreal.  Cars and bikes, everyplace, it was very much like a busy week-end on the Tail of the Dragon.  Cars and bikes pass on blind turns.  Bikes pass into on-coming traffic in a suicidal version of lane-splitting.  Bikes and scooters pass two abreast on the right on two lane roads.  We saw a bunch of accidents and I was the first responder at one scooter tip-over -- an old man (older than me at 66) slid out on wet pavement and dumped himself and his wife in the ditch without injury.  I got their ride back up and they rode away with happy sounds that I assume were thanks (I have no Italian at all).

Tommy T.

[KEH]

I noticed the same thing when I was in Italy. Lots of scooters, very few Ducs. However, I spent all my time in big cities. I bet there are more out in the suburbs.

[spike spiegel]

saw a good number in tuscany. i guess the ducs like to stay in the hills

[fastwin]

I spent over three weeks in the Alps of Switzerland, France and Northern Italy on a rented Kawi Concours in 1989. Can't believe it's been that long ago! Anyway, I bet I didn't see 10 Ducatis! Millions of scooters and at the time the Paris-Dakar type bikes were hugely popular. I would get passed on super narrow two lane mountain roads by PACKS of P-D bikes f#@king hauling ass and they were all loaded down to the hilt! Tents, sleeping bags, coolers, hibachi cookers, bath tubs... everything. I don't care if I was on a 2009 GSXR1000 there is no way I could have kept up with those 1989 P-D bike riders. Just amazing!

I do remember their idea of a guardrail was some wooden stakes driven into the ground and some colorful string between the stakes. I loved all the skid marks going over the edge in turns through the mountains... welcome to your 2,000 foot drop landing. Two kinds of riders/drivers over there: the good ones and the dead ones.

Also loved how the auto/truck crowd always expected you to split lanes on your bike at lighted intersections and go to the front of the pack. Very civilized. They would also get pissed if you sat in behind their car or truck on beautiful twisting Alpine roads. You were not allowed to cruise and enjoy the awesome beauty. You were expected to pass (even in turns!) and haul ass away from them. Can't tell you how many drivers I pissed off by NOT passing them. Funny.

[IZ]

Sounds like a fun trip!

You need to get up north to Merano & Bolzano to see where all the Ducs are..the Italian Alps & Dolomites!! 


When I was there, I saw a few hundred ducs (since I was riding with Ducati)! 

[The Architect]

My family in Italy told me that Ducati's are too expensive. 

They were amazed at how much less they cost here in America than they do in Italy.     

[IZ]

My family in Italy told me that Ducati's are too expensive. 

That they are!!

[Betty]

Just got back from two weeks in Italy.  Lots of scooters.  Lots of Japanese bikes.  Lot of Triumphs.  Not many Italian motorcycles.

I did spot this Duc in Pisa:



Tommy T.

Unfortunately I can no longer see your image, it was visible before I got back to my own photos.

Had to say SNAP. This one taken 12th June 2009:



... and a bit closer:



Have to agree about the lack of Ducatis (except at the factory), my observations:

. Harleys clearly out-number Ducatis ... extremely disappointing (and yes I am serious)
. The Monster is the most common Ducati (no surprise) and the Monster of choice is a Dark 600 series - difficult to find anything else
. Maxi-Jap scooters rule the road
. 'Old school' scoots are dying out - saw quite a few old Vespas but only one Lambretta from memory