400+ mile ride - Ducati.ms

breckduc · Sep 12th, 2011, 10:13 am

I'm really happy with the versatility of this bike. I started the day in Moab, UT. I met up with a friend on his BMW 1600 GTL in Grand Junction, CO and took the long way home. We hit Grand Mesa Pass, McClure Pass, Independence Pass and Freemont Pass. My 796 was able to hang with the big sport tourer no problem. My friend said that when he nailed the throttle he could tell he was getting away from me but was surprised at how quickly my 796 caught up. In the twisties it was almost no contest. The lighter Ducati could easily out carve the bigger bike.

Of course, by the end of the ride I was freezing and my ass was killing me but my friend on the BMW was ready to go for a few more hours thanks to heated grips and seat and electronically variable suspension settings.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Rob H · Sep 12th, 2011, 12:17 pm

Nice! Beautiful pic, too!

breckduc · Sep 12th, 2011, 1:03 pm

I forgot to add one part of the story. I stopped in Arches National Park to take some pictures and a couple of Italian tourists asked to take a picture of my bike. they said that their son owns a Hyper and works for Ducati in Bologna, Italy. They asked what made me decide to buy an Italian motorcycle and I said my decision didn't have anything to do with where is was made but more due to the fact that it is a Ducati and is priced reasonably with an excellent power to weight ratio and good handling.

I'm not sure I would be wanting to take a picture of a Harley if I saw one in Italy but it was nice to see some Italian national pride in their products. I didn't mention the 3 week wait for a $7.00 o-ring to fix an oil leak.

**dieselndixie** · Sep 12th, 2011, 1:50 pm

Right on! Adventure touring in Grand Junction on a Hyper would be a blast.

Motoman_AZ · Sep 12th, 2011, 8:35 pm

Sounds like an awesome day in some awesome country!!!!! More pics?

nethern · Sep 12th, 2011, 10:31 pm

what tire you are using? does it handle the dirt well?

breckduc · Sep 13th, 2011, 5:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by nethern

what tire you are using? does it handle the dirt well?

It has the stock Battleaxe tires on it. It did OK in some loose dirt and rocks but I wouldn't want to try to stop fast with those tires. I may look at some Dunlop D616 tires when I need to replace the stock rubber. I'm not looking to turn it into an enduro but would like to do more fire roads.

breckduc · Sep 13th, 2011, 5:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoman_AZ

Sounds like an awesome day in some awesome country!!!!! More pics?

I wish I stopped more for pictures on some of the mountain passes in Colorado. I was too busy being an Italian dingleberry on that BMW. Some of those switchbacks made any safety gear worthless unless it had a parachute.

Ricoyam · Sep 13th, 2011, 10:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by breckduc

I forgot to add one part of the story. I stopped in Arches National Park to take some pictures and a couple of Italian tourists asked to take a picture of my bike. they said that their son owns a Hyper and works for Ducati in Bologna, Italy. They asked what made me decide to buy an Italian motorcycle and I said my decision didn't have anything to do with where is was made but more due to the fact that it is a Ducati and is priced reasonably with an excellent power to weight ratio and good handling.

I'm not sure I would be wanting to take a picture of a Harley if I saw one in Italy but it was nice to see some Italian national pride in their products. I didn't mention the 3 week wait for a $7.00 o-ring to fix an oil leak.

Actually the tourists aren't really wrong at all. It's a Ducati because it's Italian, it's Italian because it's a Ducati.
The same bike made in Japan becomes something more like a SV650. The funny thing is the SV made in Italy becomes an Aprillia.

Ryan.S · Oct 17th, 2011, 8:58 pm

nice photo!