[Ducati] Two up riding (was holiday cheer)

[Mike Aquino]

Steve,

I'll bite...

I don't usually mention HD on this or  other sportbike lists. I like to 
call it the "H" word. It tends to illicit negative comments, not clever 
ones, but negative nonetheless.

Although I couldn't seem to get rid of them fast enough once I 
discovered Ducati, I rode Harleys for nearly 14 years. I logged hundreds 
of thousands of miles on my 1988 Heritage and 2001 Roadking  combined.
Growing up riding Honda CB 350's, 750's, and even an AMF Harley Enduro, 
the big bikes were always my dream.

"Short touring" by your description made me smile. While the group of 
friends I used to ride with wouldn't think twice about riding non-stop 
to Vegas or Elko NV or even Salt Lake City, the majority of hardcore 
"bikers" I knew would consider 300 miles a long trip.

The important thing is to avoid comparing the HD experience with the 
Ducati experience on too many levels.
Your description of your experience on the Roadking with your SO was 
dead on. The big twin bikes are fun at any pace. I used to call my 
Roadking the big "comfy couch" Touring with the SO is very fun when you 
can hold a conversation, even with my Thunderheader exhaust note. I have 
to admit, I wore the brain bucket "helmet" when on the HD. I made my GF 
were a DOT half helmet (ok so I'm a hypocrite). It was probably as much 
an image thing as it was a comfort thing. The wind in your face feels 
great and I get claustrophobic in my full face after an hour.

While were on the subject of "image", people in glass houses should not 
throw stones. There isn't a person on this list that wasn't reeled in by 
the sex of italian meccanica before even throwing a leg over or doesn't 
enjoy, even a little bit, the public fascination with their chosen ride. 
Believe me the devotion to the Ducati brand rivals the devotion to HD on 
every level. Ditto for BMW.

Back on the subject of touring. Gold Wings, BMW's and the like are fine 
touring bikes, but when carrying my girlfriend 100's of miles, I really 
wanted her in a good mood when we reached our destination. There is no 
substitute for  mass when it comes to  a comfortable ride.  On a  650lb  
Roadking, bumps and potholes are  swallowed up. The 10 cubic feet of 
available storage (hard side bags and removable tour pack) is also a 
joy. I can't even stow my sunglasses on my 748. There is plenty of 
torque. Lots of available upgrades. I fitted my Roadking with a power 
commander and Thunderheader slipons and it was like a different bike.

The obvious downside is cost.  The cost of these bikes is over the top. 
But they still selling well.
However, the MSRP on a 2007 Roadking at $17,345 and MSRP on a 1098 is 
$14,995. :-P
The Harley Davidson success story is well known. The marketing was 
genius and when I bought my  new Roadking I waited 6 months for delivery.

Take a Harley Davidson parts and accessories catalog and compare it to a 
Ducati catalog and you'll be seeing double. The layout is identical and 
the photos are presented like moto-porn in both.

Bottom line...Touring bikes are not sporty, they aren't supposed to be.
They are supposed to be COMFORTABLE.
While a nice big BMW or ST4 would probably be best for me when I get my 
next "Geezer Glide", I see myself back on a big HOG someday. It just 
makes me happy.

As for the present, I'm down to one bike, a 748 monoposto.
My girlfriend is not at all pleased...

skid
2001 748 (red of course!)


Steve Abramson wrote:
> My comment on my probably NOT getting a 1098 (at least not right away...  ) kindled some responses about what some of you use for two-up duty. I think this is a perfect opportunity to use the 'consumer reports' feature of the list to ask for the opinions of the who ride with their SO. (On the same bike). For comparison, I am 5'10" 170 lbs and my wife is 5'10" 150 lbs. (I don't know if I'm authorized to post info on her weight for public display, but hey, she doesn't see this list. ;>)  I think I can coin a new term for the type of riding I would likely do with my wife- Short Touring. Sounds like sport, but implies relatively limited distance riding, maybe 300 mi. days-we will likely not be going for any iron butt stuff. So my ideal kama sutra ride will not be a Gold Wind, or the like. I would however, (thanks, Andy) entertain feedback on a big Harley. It is a V twin, after all, and the Road King really was a pleasure to cruise on. I called it a Cop Bike-all black, hard bags, big clear windscreen. We borrowed my buddies set of open face helmets (that was weird........), and at 70 mph on the highway, we could carry on a conversation at pretty much normal speaking levels. the bike was very neutral steering, and as long as you remembered that there is a bunch of weight under you when braking, stopping was no trouble at all. And the bike transformed my mind as far as how I viewed a maybe slower pace created by traffic at any given moment. There was very little of the sense of urgency that prevails sometimes when on a sportbike and you feel the need to lick up the pace of the ride. On the Road King, whatever speed you were going was just right at that moment in time. And like the Duc, torque is always at the ready, whatever the gear. You got good looks from people on the road (just like the Duc), you got good looks from the cops(not like the Duc). Personally, I would prefer something a little more sporty. I have always thought that a beemer boxer would be very cool, although I have never ridden one. Or a VFR750, an ST 
> Although it was refreshing in a different way, I don't know if I really want to have half helmets slung over our heads. I would prefer to be in my cheek muncher, and maybe get some non-obtrusive intercoms. (Feedback on intercoms also?......) So let's hear from y'all. Even those of you who don't usually post. Here's an easy way to get your feet wet. Come on in, the water's fine!
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> Steve*****
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