Just had an affair with a 1098

[Max_NYC]

Hi all,

I just spent 7 days with a Ducati 1098 thanks to sportbikerental.com in LA. No need to say, I had a blast!

The Duc is extremely uncomfortable (I'm 6'3''/180lbs), mileage is ridiculous (85 miles + 20-25 miles reserve), it was not love at first mile, but I ended up having a passionate affair with the Italian beauty! A great infidelity to Speedy! That said, I was happy to realize that Speedy didn't feel tame at all back home. I still love Speedy! Speedy brings me performance, AND comfort. Love you Speedy!

[F4sSprintST]

Glad to see you wore PROTECTION!

Originally Posted by Max_NYC

Hi all,

but I ended up having a passionate affair with the Italian beauty!

[s2kf4isabre]

Originally Posted by Max_NYC

Hi all,

I just spent 7 days with a Ducati 1098 thanks to sportbikerental.com in LA. No need to say, I had a blast!

The Duc is extremely uncomfortable (I'm 6'3''/180lbs), mileage is ridiculous (85 miles + 20-25 miles reserve), it was not love at first mile, but I ended up having a passionate affair with the Italian beauty! A great infidelity to Speedy! That said, I was happy to realize that Speedy didn't feel tame at all back home. I still love Speedy! Speedy brings me performance, AND comfort. Love you Speedy!

Nice pics! I saw the new 848 in person a few weeks back at the International MC Show in San Mateo. The white 848 was the absolute most beautiful bike I've ever seen (it's those **** single sided swing arms I tell you). I'm assuming the ergos are identical to 1098. My current setup is fairly aggressive, so I don't think a transition would be tough. If given the opportunity next year, I'm probably going to sell the speedy for the 848 unless the reviews come out bad.

I just checked out the website - $200 a day. Not terribly expensive, especially for a 2 day weekend. Perhaps a rental is in order next time I visit some friends down there

[Catenaccio]

Wonderful pics. Have you paid for your sins or are you headed back for more?

[stmike]

Where were you riding during your time here, and where were the pics taken?

[Max_NYC]

Originally Posted by stmike

Where were you riding during your time here, and where were the pics taken?

All right, let me get back that map for you...

Rode all the canyons above Malibu. Particularly liked Latigo, Old Topenga, and a twisty section of Mulholland Hwy.
Rte 23: one section is particularly challenging, 1st gear not an option! (Tuna cyn road neither...)

Mulholland Drive.

Rte 33 north of Ojai is a blast and the scenery is beautiful.

Rte 150 Santa Paula, Ojai, junction 101.

Rte 2 (Angeles Crest Highway). A blast too. Freshest pavement of all trip. Too bas a section was closed.

The fast sweepers of Angeles Forest Highway.

Rte 39/San Gabriel cyn road. Very nice section after the reservoir (going north).

Glendora Ridge road. Beautiful road. Knee dragging at every corner. Beautiful scenery.

Rte 18 San Bernardino to Running Springs (too cold and too late to go further east towards Big Bear City). The ascent is a blast, once up there the views are breathtaking.

Rte 330.

Roads around Lake Arrowhead. Beautiful area.

Rte 138 Cajon Junction to Crestline. More 1st gear corners near Crestline.

Rte 243 Banning to Mountain Center.

Rte 74 Moutain Center to Hemet.

Rte 79 Beaumont to Descanso.

Palomar Mountain road S7 + S6, southern section of S6 is definitely a mini dragon.

Lyons Valley Road near San Diego.


All these roads are knee-dragging approved!

Picture 1 and 2 taken on twisty section of Lyons Valley road.

Picture 3 Rte 138.

Poser picture Rte 33 north of Ojai.

Man, that was a great trip.

Did I miss a good road? Do I need to head back for more sins?

[TRISPEED]

Looks like you sure got your $ worth out of the bike and the trip. Thanks for sharing.

[stmike]

You certainly managed to hit all of my favorites, and then some. Good for you! You must've had a good tour guide. Come back sometime.

[Max_NYC]

Originally Posted by stmike

You must've had a good tour guide. Come back sometime.

I was the tour guide! Give me a good map, I'll find the twisties! But granted, motorcycleroads.us helps too.

I'll be back. It's a great riding domain that you have over there.

Here's another picture taken during a little break at Mountain High ski resort. Skiing/snowboarding, riding/cornering a motorcycle, it's so similar...





(That's how I got into motorcycle riding, I wanted to retrieve the sensations of snowboarding..)

[TonUp]

Nice pics!

Hope you can make it to the Bennington VT Bash in June 2008.



Ton Up!