Springing....;)

Spring is finally here and for once has gotten  the rythm of the weather right - we have had about 3 stright weekends of decent weather in the Pacific NW, which has lead to some decent riding.  The Monster is hitting about 8,500 miles and feeling smoother than ever - as long as it is warmed up. :)

Some pics from recent riding trips.  I also got a GoPro, so have been playing with that a bit as well.

1199 Panigale

Last week as part of the international motorcycle show taking place in Seattle, I got to see the 1199 Panigale in-person and have to say that it is one of the nicest looking bikes in the market. Got I I've it to he Italian's they really do know how to a design a bike. I'm still sticking with my Monster and 848 for now- maybe in a few years once the bugs of the new engine/ frameless design have been worked out. :) Anyway, here are some pics.

Nice- Ducati 1199

Roland Sands Design's Desmosedici Street Tracker

Cool, but I would rather have the original.

Best Criagslist ad evah....You want it...but

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Date: 2011-09-21, 1:06PM PDT

Reply to: sale-xxxxxxx @ craigslist. org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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You can't have it.
Your wife won't let you.
Your girlfriend says it's unsafe. waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Knock ...knock.....
"who is it?"
"We're men.... and we're here to take back your mancard."

This bike is not just a bike.... it's a muse.... it's a teleportation device.... hell, it's even like a bad assed medical tool. I once rode it by some guy who was constipated, just hearing me downshift from third to second emptied his bowels. I shit you not.

Hear that noise? That's not a dry clutch...that's a chick whistle. I'm tell'n ya...those Italians got that chick shit down. I left the exhaust stock because my buddy Phil upgraded the exhaust on his and I saw an elderly couple bust into flames when he bliped the throttle. (I have a conscience....that and I hate the smell of burnt flesh, so I left the cans alone.) It's got some carbon fiber stuff on it too, because carbon fiber is bad ass. Chuck Norris' beard is carbon fiber. Johnny Cash's suit was carbon fiber. Neil Armstrongs left arm is carbon fiber...... and we all know how bad assed that shit is. (Lance Armstongs ball is not carbon fiber..... but his bike was)
So.... you're asking yourself..."whats it like... riding a bike/muse/teleportation/badassed medical device like this? It's f'n AWESOME! Obama/Biden stickers melt off cars.... gravity dissapears around hot chicks undies....puppies weep..... people pay to be your facebook friend..... the Maricopa police dept. pulls you over just to get your autograph and thanks you having graced their tiny town with coolness the likes they've never seen.

If you're thinking about buy'n a Harley and have bought into that whole "chicks dig cruisers" thing....ask yourself .... when was the last time you saw Dan Haggerty get'n laid... hell... when was the last time you saw Dan period? The dude lived with a bear. Bears are cool and all..... but I'd rather be bang'n Keira Knightley than some bear. (google Keira Knightley Ducati.... you'll see what I mean)

What do you need to purchase the afore mentioned coolness?

Balls...

A valid state class M license....

Money.... 10k obo

And.... a willingness to step outside the "me too bike" box.

(you might also want to bring towels..... as the ladies tend to moisten up around the bike)

call me at 661-xxx-xxxx

•Location: Kern County

•it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

~7500 Mile Service

Ok, so I was at 7,200 miles, but given that the riding season in the NW is close to an end (at least for me), I decided to take the bike in for service.  I was expecting a hefty charge for this and was not disappointed.  For the oil change, various checks, one valve adjustment (which was a culprit in the bike running a little rough) and a brake oil flush the total ended up at about $700, after a discount special that the dealer was running.  So in the last few weeks with the new tires and service the bike had cost me a little over a G.  The joys of owning a Ducati.

Oh, and I also finally had that carbon cannister removed from the bike.  Not sure if that will have any performance impact, but the bike looks a bit more balanced. Now I need to save up for a few months before I get anything new done to it. ;)

Ducati 848 Streetfighter video