First let me apologize for the fuzziness of this self-portrait. I think the excitement of the moment may have gotten to me as I sat the camera on the trunk of the car rather than use a tripod.
Yes, it’s a new Ducati Superbike 1098. Six-speed, 1099cc, 160 horsepower, 381-pound example of engineering excellence not to speak of my favorite yellow color. There is not a bit of chrome on this motorcycle and everything is machined and manufactured to the highest standards right down to the exotic rear axle. No matter what your personal riding preference is it is hard to not be impressed by the machine. But more of the new Ducati in a moment.
Rewind to earlier in the day.
Since my first days of Vespa ownership I have fielded a lot of questions about safety and specifically a lot about the relative safety of a vehicle that many assume to be underpowered for any travel on the road. They have an idea that unless you have a lot of horsepower you just won’t be able to get out of all those dangerous situations you come across while on the highway.
Seeing beasts like this John Deere whatever the hell it is (I think it is a spray vehicle but not sure what the exact application is) is the sort of thing that gets lodged in a driver’s subconscious and drawn forth when making the motorcycle safety and power arguments. I was standing in a cornfield when this little fellow went by and it seemed more Triceratops than Tyrannosaurus Rex. Just a big ambling brute interested in nothing more than plants.
But lets get back to the new Ducati. If any of you regular readers think I abandoned the Vespa GTS 250ie shame on you. You should know me better than that by now. This baby was less than one hour new and belongs to my friend Paul Ruby who just traded his Harley Davidson Fatboy for it.
Paul has being weighing this move for a while. Looking at it I can tell than he is enthralled by the pure mechanical excellence. Paul loves machines. And he tells me now that he has one of every Italian vehicle — a Ferrari, a vintage Vespa, and now a Ducati. Car, scooter, motorcycle. I asked about a Fiat truck and didn’t bring up airplanes or boats. Either way it is an impressive mechanical collection.
I want to ride. A lot. And I question the utility of the Ducati with the most uncomfortable seat I have ever had the pleasure of sitting on and a riding position that reminds me more of the prostate examination position and discomfort than anything to do with a motorcycle. But that’s just me. And the Ducati is still, despite that, a work of art.
He plans to make long rides on this thing. No topcase or sidebags available for this. At least not that I can imagine. There is storage space behind the rear seat. It’s large enough for the screwdriver Ducati provides as a toolkit and you could fit a toothbrush and small box of raisins too.
This weekend perhaps Paul and I will ride around together. Two guys on some of Italy’s finest examples of engineering.
Congratulations Paul on your new Ducati!
Tell your friend that red Ducatis are faster then yellow. Well known fact… ;-))
Mike: I remember that VARROOM motor by Mattel at your blog. It was in dusty corner in my mind. I’d like to have one of those. This yellow Ducati was the last one in stock. It was up on that elevated platform at Kissell’s. It calling out to me. Steve: Thanks for taking the photos for me. Earnie and Baby and I will drink cappuccino at the table in the back yard and then I’ll take the new yellow bee around the county for a buzz.
Hi there, I found your blog by searching “scooter”. I’m thinking of buying a scooter. I live 5 miles from work in Albuquerque, where it rarely rains but often gets windy and occasionally gets rowdy sand storms. Winters are quite chilly. Any advice? I’m thinking of the Buddy. Email me at mistypilgrim@yahoo.com. Thanks!
That is one sweet bike. Speechless.
Rb
Nice Ducati – they finally got back to the 916 styling with this one.
I should have never sold my 1995 SS CR. Ah well, live and learn.
HA! I love it. I can’t believe Paul bought one! That is going to make for some interesting future pictures if the two of you take any more trips together. 😉
Wow. I love it when HD riders turn to the dark side.
Too bad about the yellow, but that can be fixed with a couple of cans of Krylon Flat Black.
I kid, I kid.
What I want to know is: which is faster off the line to, say, 40 mph – Duc or Vespa?
Gorgeous bike. Before lucking out finding my Et4 I often lingered at the local Ducati dealership, slavering over the new-vintage bikes they have recently come out with. The Italians really know how to build passion into their machines.
Lucky said: What I want to know is: which is faster off the line to, say, 40 mph – Duc or Vespa?
Paul Says: Today I was trying to imagine drag racing someone a block or so. The vision of me reving it up and dumping the clutch and then the ducati’s front wheel going for the sky kept me busy. The motorcycle is short and light and the rear tire is ultra sticky. So the vespa gts could beat me while I worry about it.
I just want to say that I really dig the yellow of the bike. Everyone else buys the red and the black – especially the black. The yellow is a great color. 🙂 Good choice Paul!
I nearly had a heart attack. Ducati for a Vespa? Phew.
I used to ride in that position decades ago but I have had to acknowledge I am just too old.
Conchscooter
I don’t understand the crotch rockets. They are so uncomfortable! Not only that but they all look the same. Or is is just me? I mean, what is so different styling wise between a Ninja, a CBR or a Ducatti?
mike: Red or yellow there is probably plenty of speed in the Ducati to render any discussion of fastest pointless. Though actually I always thought that gray was the fastest color universally.
paul: I wanted one of those motors as a kid. I would see them on the Saturday morning commericals.
geekgirl: I can’t offer any advice on the Modern Buddy. You should check out the MOdern Buddy Forum. Real owners will be able to give real advice. I have found the Modern Vespa forum excellent for advice and support.
Roadbum: It is pretty nice looking and the manufacturing detail is impressive.
brian: Seller’s remorse. It will pass when you get another Ducati.
hrw115: I’ll shoot more pictures soon of the Ducati in the world.
vince: The aesthetics of the Ducati and Vespa are compelling. Hard to put a price on the value of that.
conchscooter: Not to worry. No Ducati in my future. I don’t think…
anonymous: I don’t understand them either. I will say though there are huge differences in the details and workmanship. Ducati is a precision machine. Maybe it is the difference between a Timex and Breitling watch….
Steve,
Does this mean that you’ll be buying Paul’s Suzuki 400SM for those moments when you feel need to burn up the PA back roads in a frenzy of wanton, high speed corner sliding that would be ill advised on the Vespa?
😉
Doug
What a suprise! Sweeet. And a lot easier to see in the fog. Happy trails!! ps. I spilled the beans to the Rounders…couldn’t help myself. Gail
You had me going for a minute Steve. Glad you didn’t show a new BMW. The you would have had me!
I have been reading for awhile now and your riding sensibility really does seem more like a long range tourer. Great stuff!
Gail, it seems he tricked you. :]