Ducati's Hypermotard Demo Truck - Newcomb's Ranch - July 26th and 27th

[Navigator]

From the ProItalia website:

We've just gotten word that Ducati North America will be bringing their "Hyper Truck", a tractor trailer filled with Hypermotard demonstrators and hospitality, to Newcomb's Ranch, just up Angeles Crest. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to demo ride this fantastic motorcycle in the perfect setting of the Angeles Crest - a legendary motorcycling location and an area that is just flat-out beautiful. And know this: the Hypermotard and Hypermotard S will be still be available with some very special financing offers such as 1.99% or $199/month for qualifying buyers through the month of July.

I wonder how many riders will hop on and get over their head on an unfamiliar bike? Hopefully there will be no incidents. ACH is a great road to unleash the Hyper but its also got some challenging curves...a good and bad place to demo bikes.

I'll probably be going up to check it out and talk bikes.

[georound]

Speaking of Newcomb's...I was there today. Just missed the dumbass that lost it coming down the turn right above the parking lot. The missile (I mean, sliding CBR) nearly took out a couple of parked bikes on it's way to hitting the embankment. Fortunately, nobody that was standing around got hit either. If you know Newcomb's and coming out the door, it'd be far left on the other side of the tree. I didn't see the guy leave (ambulance or not) but did see his bike strapped to the tow truck. Tow truck also had a perfect GSXR on a trailer. Broken? Out of gas? No, impound; no motorcycle endorsement.
Note to self, park on the lower part of the parking lot.

[Navigator]

I heard about that incident when I got there to watch the MotoGP race. Glad I missed it all. Heard the guy was hauling ass into that curve showing off doing a fly-by, lost it or clipped a car pulling out and his bike slid into a brand new 1098 and also took out a big Honda scooter. I usually park down close to the patio and in as far away from the road as possible.
I saw another Hyper there with Oregon plates...was that you? I was parked in front of it with mine.

-Tom

[georound]

Yeah, that was me. Nice rearsets! I looked around to see if the owner (you) was around. I hadn't heard about any bikes (or cars) getting hit. I guy with an FJR1300 was moving his bike and said it missed his front tire by less than 12 inches. He didn't mention any one getting hit.
That was my first time on Angeles Crest with this bike. It was way better than my KTM525. Besides the fact that I'd loosened up suspension a bit much for the daily ride, it was a great time. Did you get a good look at those Honda scooters....talk about trick!! The looked like stripped down Ruckus with pipes, carbon fiber bits and sticky tires. Not sure how fast they were, but they looked pretty cool.

[bromike666]

I left Newcombs at 9 AM to watch the WSBK races back home. Good thing, that's were I park my bike and hang out. I hear the idiot was driven up the road and then airlifted out.

When are people going to learn, parking lots, roads, turnouts, driveways = SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!

[aeolian]

Originally Posted by Navigator

From the ProItalia website:



I wonder how many riders will hop on and get over their head on an unfamiliar bike? Hopefully there will be no incidents. ACH is a great road to unleash the Hyper but its also got some challenging curves...a good and bad place to demo bikes.

I'll probably be going up to check it out and talk bikes.

They were at Live Oak a couple weeks ago and we got to ride in the twisties there. ACH should be ok.

[dukepilot]

Credit to DNA for selecting Hyper test rides at locations that highlight the bike's strengths and capabilities. I watched how they organized the test rides a couple of weeks ago at La Honda/Hwy 84. Except for one incident where a guy rode off on one of the bikes, the group demos seemed to be very well organized and safety was emphasized during the pre-ride talk.

I don't see any other mc companies doing anything similar.

[georound]

Rode off, as in stole it?

[dukepilot]

Originally Posted by georound

Rode off, as in stole it?

Apparently, the rider, who signed up for the demo ride, misunderstood the Ducati rep when the rep told him to be back by 3pm for the group demo. The rider hopped on one of the demo bikes and took off down the road thinking that he had the green light to go for a joy ride till 3pm. The Ducati guys hopped on their bikes in pursuit.

The cops stopped and detained the rider down the road. So, the bike was not stolen and as far as I know, charges were not filed. I think the rider did get a speeding ticket however. There was a debate on the local forum as whether the rider was an idiot or moron or both. Perhaps english was not his first language.

[Navigator]

More info on Ducati.com

http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorth...?eventId=22561