I'm so very happy. Just last week I hit 10K miles on my s2r800. More specifically, 10,300. For some, that may seem like an average summer, but for me it's something I wasn't sure I would actually attain...
On a sunny day in March of 2008 I walked into a Ducati dealership having seen the most beautiful bike I had ever laid eyes on, a previously owned red and white 2005 s2r800 with only 300 miles on it. It was in pristine condition having been a garage queen and was fairly priced. I wrote a check about 15 minutes later. I had grown up riding dirtbikes, and tons of small displacement bikes all over Asia, and had a little ninja250 for my commute within the city, but I had to have this. Of course, fully knowing that I would have major shoulder surgery a month later and I wouldn't be able to ride for 6-9 months. I rode every weekend and even took days off of work and could only put a dent into that odometer.
Fast forward 7 months...back on the bike just before my Birthday in October and almost 8 months after I had purchased her. Francesca. My biggest impulse buy. Ever. I hit the 4,000 mile mark just before December. That's when I was taken out by a woman in a tank of a Mercedes who blew through a stop sign and directly into my path. I emergency swerved just enough to catapult over her trunk. The shattered thumb took me well into 2009 and it wasn't until Feb I could ride again. The front end was wrecked (front forks, triples, brakes, etc), the bike technically totalled (steering lock bent - no biggie), but I took the insurance money and invested back into making her whole...and better. This was my dream bike and I was/am not prepared to let her go.
Insert another 7 months for more shoulder surgery...
I was back riding again early fall of 2009 and have been on since. Even more so now that I'm Funemployed
I have one more shoulder surgery to go but I'm holding off as long as I can. I've probably been able to ride the bike about a year since I've purchased it. I would really enjoy a little more time to wear through another set of tires. This has been an amazing 10K and I wasn't sure I'd make it. Now, I'm ready for many more miles and will run this little beast into the ground. I'm keeping her forever. Even if I have to turn her into a planter in her golden years.
Just thought I'd share my happiness. Riding is easily the one of life's greatest pleasures and I can't imagine who I'd be without my love of being on two wheels. [moto]
Ride safe and perhaps see you out in the NorCal hills
erin
