Last weekend I was on a two day 900 mile two day ride two guys that I did not know showed up one with a 1098s and another one with a BMW S1000rr.As I looked at the BMW and the 1098s I realized why people pay so much for Ducs. The BMW really just looked and sounded like another Jap bike if you covered up the BMW logo it faded into the sea of other Jap sport bikes that were on the ride. The 1098s stood out from the rest,the sound,the look it was just sexy. The fact that it’s expensive as hell a and slower than a Jap liter bike did not mean a damn thing Jap bikes work well but that’s it really. Those Italians make everything sexy and loud.

1098s

Jap liter bike: yeah it’s nice reliable and can get the job done but which would you really like to ride

Not even with the girl on top is its as sexy as the Duc

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 9/20/2010 @ 5:04 PM *

I've gone one several rides with a Ducati club. Beautiful bikes.

+1 they might not start after you stop but they look sexy even broken down

I took a ride on a 1098 and it was such a great looking bike.....Man I'd put it in my den as art. But after riding it.....It made me realize why I love my 14 SO much......

Not even with the girl on top is its as sexy as the Duc

UM-- sorry but you bend that girl over on the back where she belongs and aint no way you gonna get sexier than that.

Funny you brought this subject up WillidD, I was just thinking about this the other day. I ride one of my bikes to the gym every afternoon and all the bikes are parked right by the front door, up on the side walk, usually four or five. My bikes never get noticed or commented on but one of the sales guys bought a used '03 749 Ducati in Canary Yellow and girls were oohing and ahhing over it. I guess it's that Italian style. I still think my 6R would stomp all over it on a twisty road but you never know. He did crank it up for me and I had to beg him to shut it off. That dry clutch rattled so badly I thought it was going to come through the side of the case. I couldn't live with all that racket.

That said, I absolutely love the looks of the 1098/1198 Ducs, especially the Super Corse and especially in red. If there were some way to quiet the clutch noise I would definitely consider owning one. Everything else looks generic compared to a Duc, they just have style and class.

Kruz - I test rode a BiPosto 999 (I think it was a 2005) in canary yellow last year. Extremely uncomfortable - gorilla on a tricycle situation. I love the sound of the engine, but at idle, that clutch drowns out any engine noise. It's quite unsettling. That, and the little seed planted in the back of my head that Ducati maintenance has historically been ridiculously overpriced along with the frequency of visits to the garage. This was what made me decide not to get the bike, among the other contributing factors - seat comfort, riding position, noisiness, etc.

I think when I get plenty of money ahead, I'll pull the trigger on a Duc. I'm really quite fond of them, despite their shortcoming.

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 9/21/2010 @ 11:01 AM *

That said, I absolutely love the looks of the 1098/1198 Ducs, especially the Super Corse and especially in red. If there were some way to quiet the clutch noise I would definitely consider owning one. Everything else looks generic compared to a Duc, they just have style and class.

+1

My bikes never get noticed or commented on but one of the sales guys bought a used '03 749 Ducati in Canary Yellow and girls were oohing and ahhing over it

Yeah I noticed that last weekend the bike just pulls people in I was not the only bike nut drooling all over the guy’s bike at every gas stop.

I think when I get plenty of money ahead, I'll pull the trigger on a Duc. I'm really quite fond of them, despite their shortcoming.

I hear ya Jap bikes just don't create that feeling for me even though every bike I have ever owned as been from Japan.

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 9/21/2010 @ 9:42 AM *

I hear ya Jap bikes just don't create that feeling for me even though every bike I have ever owned as been from Japan.

Yup, Hondas are the ultimate expression of this blandness. They don't stir the soul but rather go about their business in an extremely competent and reliable fashion.

They typically do everything well but nothing outstanding. Consumer Reports would give them a "satisfactory rating". They're ultimately like marrying that nice girl from next door or buying a suit off the rack from The Men's Wearhouse.

Every Honda I ever owned was like an appliance, you put gas and oil in it and go ride. If it's on the side of the road it either ran out of gas or the owner pulled over to take a leak. Any attempt to infuse "character" into these bikes has always failed.

Italiano machinery is like that young lady pictured below. It's going to be a thrilling ride and you'll get lots of attention with her on your arm but you'll probably end up paying for it in the end. Pay your money and make your choice. Vive la difference!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 9/21/2010 @ 1:31 PM *

but at idle, that clutch drowns out any engine noise

I could not hear the exhaust note above the din from the clutch. He was obviously embarassed by the racket and warned me before starting the motor it was going to be noisy. If I didn't know better I would have run for cover....it sounded like it was going to turn into shrapnel at any second!

This

+ this

= this

* Last updated by: bgordon on 9/22/2010 @ 8:40 AM *

Two of my buddies (they're brothers) owns that bike. One owns it in black, and the other in white/orange. They both really enjoy themselves on it and I rode it and can vouge for its fun-ability. It's just not my '14 in the power department, but then, they didn't buy it for that either. It's much more nimble in the corners. Gawd, that woman is gorgeous! You're so right about the cost of her and what not.

Yea, I gotta quit lookin at her!

Kruz, do you ever have cause to go to Houston?

Gawd, that woman is gorgeous! You're so right about the cost of her and what not.

yeah but she is worth every dime

Yea, I gotta quit lookin at her!

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 9/21/2010 @ 3:14 PM *

Ducati's are sweet and handle like nothing else. Their build quality and components are second to none. I know because my wife has one. My old broken up butt will stay on the 14. My wife even prefers her 500 ninja on longer rides. That said I'd still like to have a 996.

I know we're all old timers and such, but I can't believe none of you recgonized that girl as Megan Fox...you know, the chick from Transformers. (Wait a sec...I don't remember Megan packing a rack quite that big...and I thought maybe her eyes were blue?) Anyway c'mon now we're not THAT old are we? somebody should know who the heck she is right? lol. And I think Ducati's are cool for what they are, just too high maintainence and track focused for me. I'm not a track guy. I need comfort for long rides with brutal power, and some handling thrown in. Thats about as opposite a Duc as you can get

* Last updated by: BadinBlack on 9/22/2010 @ 2:10 AM *

I need comfort for long rides with brutal power, and some handling thrown in. Thats about as opposite a Duc as you can get

14 is perfect then!

Kruz, do you ever have cause to go to Houston?

Used to go there frequently to visit my mom but since she passed away in 2007 I don't have cause to go there anymore.

My family is still in Houston - sisters, parents, cousins, etc. Wondered if, when I get to go there again, perhaps we could somehow meet up. Uncle used to live in Grapevine.

Gawd, that woman is gorgeous!

+1 on that!

The Internet knows everything. I uploaded the image at TinEye.com and found her here. -bg

+1 on that!

The Internet knows everything. I uploaded the image at TinEye.com and found her here. -bg

Thanks now I have to stare at those pics all day too. I told you guys everything they do is sexy just look at her name Federica Ridolfi now that beats the hell out of Jane. Man I would put a tail bag on that and ride it all day long when I look at the 1198s this is what I see guess I'm just a sick twisted bastard

You are sick WilliD!

Megan Fox

Italian Fox

OK, let's knock this stuff off now!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 9/22/2010 @ 11:55 AM *

She's married to an Italian futbol'er. 8^( Sad Panda. Yeah, cuz...I stood a chance.. lol