I know the feeling...I had a tough time getting to sleep the night before I picked up my red S. it was worth every lost minute of shut eye! Enjoy your new Duc and your upcoming adventures!
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Well, it's WHY I was waiting that sucked. But now that I'm good to go I should have her broken in by the end of this weekend. Yes, she's female...a tigress.
First service scheduled for Tuesday, and a week later she's going to the track for a little exercise.
First photos. Sorry, but the patriotic motif is spoiled by the filthy race van in the background.
I'll try for a few scenic pix this weekend.
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Although it occupies 90% of my conscious thoughts right now, I'm definitely not infatuated with the bike, so am proceeding with detachment for the most part...I'm not blind to its limitations. I've simply not bonded with the Supersport yet...but it will probably happen. Sorting out the irritating issues can actually BE part of the bonding process. Part of the problem is that I've had so many really wonderful bikes that I have bonded with over the years...and regretted selling every one of them.
(Now my wife thinks it's weird that a person can 'bond' with an object, but she doesn't realize that bikes are very much alive when you're riding them!)
I hope I don't sound like a malcontent with my gripes about the bike's shifting - both w/DQS ON & OFF - and my whinging about paying for what I consider gratuitously complex gadgetry that does not make the bike any better, and will certainly malfunction eventually, leaving me at the mercy of a dealer someday. :crying:
Yet, somehow, when I look at the bike I get excited about taking it for a ride - so I do, and there are moments of pure joy between fits of exasperation. (More on those another day...I'm in too good a mood to complain right now).
Found excuses for several short rides barely out of the city today. A bit of commuting, then a dash up a narrow winding road to a vineyard overlooking the valley for a photo op. A bit hazy, but it's a start.
And then on to our first actual mission: Haul guitar downtown for 3 hours of jamming and showing off the Ducati. Everyone who walked by, stopped, stared, then walked slowly on. It does that to people. :grin2:
This is not a city bike, at least not in the summer. Coolant temperatures get scary high, fast, and drivetrain is horrible at low speeds. These can be addressed, but then there are those moments when you can unleash the beast...joy!
Now, a couple of days with much needed rain to catch up on manual reading & wrenching with promise of a clear weekend.
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Oh, it can spike to 216℉ in minute at a stoplight on a hot day. Hit 223℉ yesterday evening riding in the city for 5 minutes!! Climbing a steep slope in 1st gear yesterday for 1 1/2 minutes it hit 216℉.
Talk about heat-cycling a new engine.
Cruising it runs about 185℉. Does this have a cooling fan? I need to check.
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