Featured Threads Archive

Not wanting to let them Scots fellas behind the NC500 have it all their own way I spent a lot of last summer putting together a 500 mile touring route around the 5 peninsulas of South West Ireland which is now just about ready to go public; the SWI500. This part of the world is just as beautiful, just as rugged, just as remote (in places) but probably less congested than the NC500 can be and of course its the beautiful west of Ireland with it's temperate, gulf stream warmed climate, and, it's part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

To kick it off for 2020 I've put together a 5 day tour, 4 days of which you can do without having to cart all your luggage around. The itinerary is as follows:

Sun 14th June - arrive in Schull, Co. Cork, stay the night at the Schull Harbour Hotel
Mon 15th June - tour the Mizen & Sheepshead peninsulas, then trek over the Cork & Kerry mountains via the Caha Pass to Kenmare (there are 2 websites for Kenmare kenmare.ie and kenmare.com)
Mon 15th June...

Ducati Scrambler | Monday 27 January 2020
New Scrambler Ducati 1100: Just PROs
An official video available on the brand channels presents the new Ducati Scrambler 1100 range, consisting of the two new models 1100 PRO and 1100 Sport PRO
Revamped graphics, new exhaust and seat trim, shorter rear fender and low plate holder characterise the two new versions of the Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO
Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport PRO is enriched with an even more sporting heritage thanks to the new, narrower and shorter handlebar with Café Racer-style mirrors and Öhlins suspensions

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) 27 January 2020 – Even more fun and high performance, featuring an original design, the new Ducati Scrambler 1100 PRO and 1100 Sport PRO are the ideal choice for those who want to ride a motorcycle with a 1079 cm³ engine with generous torque right from the bottom of the rev range, a 15-litre steel tank that, combined with the comfortable seat with the new coating, ensure even the longest...

Many of you know me and my bike, it's been a long and hard decision but I've come to the conclusion that I'm ready to part with my 9 series to make way for my focus on racing.

The bike is a custom-built 999 series race bike, built with no expense spared as the ultimate analogue 999 track/race bike developing 170bhp at the rear wheel. Full specification and details of the engine build below.

Specification:

999R special engine (170bhp at the rear wheel)
Ducati Performance (DP) Carbon Race Firings
DP Front Fairing & Dash Supports
Gubellni Race Rear Subframe
Renthal Race Clip-on’s
DP Race Screen
DP Carbon Induction/Air tubes
DP Race Filters
Aluminium Radiator
Race Expansion bottle
749r Fuel Tank
DP Carbon Race Fuel Cap
DP Neoprene Seat
DP Carbon Front & Rear hugger
DP Carbon Belt Covers
DP Carbon Clutch Cover
Carbon Swingarm Covers
DP Aluminium Rearrests
Ducati Corse Folding Gear Shifter
Ducati Corse Rear Brake Leaver
Ducati Corse Four-post Slipper Clutch
Ducati Performance Engine...

Hello all - Not ridden since 2017, without going into too much detail, i suffered a life changing incident and amongst other things, i lost use of one eye and had to sell my bike, and car for that matter... So a long journey to get fully licensed again with vision in one eye, but thats sorted now and i am back on the road, i am now planning my next bike which will be a used Diaval. I have been looking at the forum getting info on the bike.

A lad at work has been making curries for a while now after discovering a YouTube site called Al's Kitchen. In a word, they are tremendous.

Al's Kitchen - YouTube
He sometimes brings them to work and people are almost fighting over them. Anyway, I decided to have a bash today after he's been telling me how easy they are to make. I had planned on a trip to a local Indian supermarket, but I managed to get everything I needed in Morrisons.

Then, because I plan on keeping this up and my nature, wouldn't allow open packets of spices in the cupboards, off to buy some storage jars. One label maker session later, and I now have everything I need to make a regular curry.
1st thing's 1st, everything is based on a "Base Gravy". Basically the guy's recipe is a sack of onions, loads of garlic and some spices. All of his curries are made from the base. Boil it up for an hour and blend it.
Right, which one to make..... A no brainer, the lad...

Not sure what section this should fall under?

But couldn’t resist sharing...

Roll on Summer

Well, that will teach me.

On Christmas Eve my wired house alarm suddenly went off while it wasn't armed.

I think only the keypads sounders were active rather than the external bellbox.

I stuck my code in and the system went into tamper lockout.

At that time I knew very little (if anything) about house alarms apart from when the main battery has failed, in the event of a power cut the bellbox would start up.

The battery was due for a change anyway, but I couldn't be sure what had caused the problem, so being Christmas Eve I thought I had better get it sorted.

After a bit of phoning around I found one engineer (supposedly reputable) who was prepared to come and look at it.

He turned up, seemed a nice bloke.

He got into the main panel and fiddled with the wires, removed the global tamper and the keypad tamper wires.

But, he said there was a dead zone by using his multimeter and said I had got a major problem.

He removed that zone from the system and got the alarm so it was...

Before I comment I have no links with this company but feel he deserves some recognition for outstanding work.
After some 10 years trying to purchase an alloy tank for my 2004 monster 1000 I’ve finally got one. Over the years I’ve approached pretty much every UK builder holt, tab classics and others and the same reply - very complex and would take too much time and tooling costs etc. I even raised threads on forums regarding a bulk buy from a company in UK for a minimum of 20 but zero interest. Anyway found a guy called Manuel who’s company link is
[email protected] based in Italy. After searching forums I found a link to him dated from around 2012 and he produces some excellent work and I thought craftsmanship of this nature should be shared. I specifically wanted the brushed affect as per my alloy 1098 tank however at an additional charge can be polished.
Asked Manuel for some info about him and here’s his reply.

From 2013 to 2018 I made the tanks for the...

Further improved, easier, more intuitive, less tiring and even faster, the new Panigale V4 is ready to take to the track
After being confirmed for the second consecutive year, the best-selling super sports bike in the world is now available from Ducati dealers
Over 450 motorcycles delivered in Europe and the United States

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 20 January 2020 - Since 2018, the date of its arrival on the market, the Panigale V4 has established new benchmarks in the super sports bike segment where, for the second consecutive year, it is the best-selling motorcycle in the world.

The production of the Panigale V4 MY2020 is in full swing. Around 450 motorcycles have been delivered to European and US dealers, and in the coming weeks the new super sports bike will also reach the other markets in the world in which Ducati is present.

To confirm the success already achieved by this jewel of style and technology, feedback and data from customers and the specialized press were...

It was the summer of ‘96, my friends & I had taken a ride out to Lynmouth on our tatty bikes (I had a Yam FZ600, couldn’t even afford the FZR) when a 916 thundered by and I knew one day I had to have one. Several decades and several Ducati’s later and I was in a position to finally realise the long-held dream. I searched for a lovey 916 but couldn’t find the right bike however on Saturday a mint 996 SPS arrived at my front door . I braved the cold for a ride this weekend and had a massive smile. I still have the Multistrada with it’s heated grips and human-sized ergonomics but it’s just not the same.

I know they originally came with a Ducati paddock stand but mine was lost a long time ago. Does anyone have a pic/specs as I’d quite like to hunt one down (plus the Multi stand is completely the wrong size anyway). Thanks Rich

Bought my Duke just before Christmas and today was my first ride on it. Freezing cold but sunny so off I went with my mate on his Z900RS.

Glad of the Ducati heated grips!
I have a 1999 Triumph Daytona and this is totally different. Light, nimble, about the same amount of power but this has more torque.
Too much info on the clocks but that can be ignored.
I don’t have the S but the previous owner has fitted a quick shifter, it’s brilliant.
Really happy with the bike, it’s my first Ducati and loving it, bike was absolutely filthy when I got home so a good clean was in order.
Hope next weekend is dry too.

Yes it’s that happy time when you realise that you have a massive service to pay for, even though you may have spent thousands recently anyway. I adore my 1198s, it’s my only mode of transport (yes really) and so it costs me fortune in fuel and maintenance. In the last 15 months it’s had forks and mono rebuilt, a new 1198sp slipper clutch put in it, a new stator, the mosfet regulator upgrade, all fluids and filters, belts, new battery, new pads, new nosecone, new oem windscreen resprayed tail unit, new pegs, new heel guards, new grips, new clutch lever, new oem rear number plate holder, reflector and indicators and that’s it I think plus a few bits of carbon and lots of tiger balm for my hips and knees... so all I’m expecting to pay for on top of the whole 25,000km Desmoservice is new chain and sprockets. I’ll let you know what it all costs me here in the South of Italy an an official Ducati workshop and what else the bike manages to pull out of the bag in terms of surprises for...

Hi all , Paul from south Yorkshire . Just bought a 916 to play with , and will be asking a few questions when I have poked around it . Current ride is a R1 1999 and a GS1150 .
Thanks .

Well, after selling my Hyperstrada on here a couple of months back, I've been on the lookout for a new bike.

I knew exaclty what I wanted (or so I initially thought ) and after a little searching, it was delivered today.

So the new Italian is......................... .an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory.

After initially thinking I'd buy a 2015/16-ish bike, I saw the model had a big facelift for 2017 with the tft dash and electronics, and the more I looked into it, being the shallow kind of person I am, I had to have one of those. Obviously this was a little more money, but I know if I didn't buy what I wanted, I'd always be a little bit miffed that I didn't push the boat out at the time.

So after scouring the t'interwebs for a month or so and getting Christmas out of the way, I found a 2017 bike with a little over 2,500 miles on it and out of the box new. It was obviously mint in the pictures, so I bought on spec without viewing in the flesh, the...

Albeit a 1:8 model of one

https://www.ducati.com/gb/en/home/join-ducati

Had a call from Ducati in Italy today from a nice lady who gave me the news, said I should have an email in the next few days telling me how to proceed to claim my prize.

It's been a while......but I'm back and fighting !
After a couple of years being 'out if it' due to depression and anxiety, I am now back at work, part time, but it's doing me the world of good. Next step....getting back on the road with my HM !! She's tucked away for the winter at the moment, so looking forward to the spring .
Hopefully, as well, my famous Ducati BBQ will return in June. I'll keep you all posted.

53,183 Ducati bikes delivered to customers in 90 countries
Italy remains the number one market. Double-digit growth in China, Brazil and Spain
For the second year running, the Panigale is the world's best-selling superbike. A record number of advance orders for the new Streetfighter V4, with deliveries to begin in March 2020
Borgo Panigale, Bologna, 14 January 2020 – Ducati Motor Holding closes 2019 with 53,183 bikes delivered to customers worldwide, nudging last year's figure of 53,004 bikes even higher.

A major contribution to this result came from the Panigale: with sales totalling 8,304, it retains the market leadership established in 2018 and confirms its status as the world's best-selling superbike with a market share of 25%.
Two new bikes introduced in 2019 - the Hypermotard 950 and Diavel 1260 - racked up sales of 4,472 and 3,129 respectively, doubling the overall volumes achieved in 2018 by previous versions.
The Multistrada family performed equally well, scoring a 3%...

As previously posted, I decided to have an engine rebuild when it was found that the bike had low compression in the horizontal cylinder instead of bailing out and buying a new (to me) bike.

I have owned the bike from new and apart from removing the catalytic converter, fitting a Leo Vince exhaust system and having a generic, static ECU remap, the bike is standard.

The bike was dropped off at Moto Rapido last week and today I was able to pick up and inspect the engine components after the engine was fully disassembled.

The good news is, that apart from the horizontal cylinder bore/ring gap being oversize as expected, there are no signs of major wear on any of the components.

In the gearbox, one selector fork has a small polished area and the selector drum has a noticeable witness mark where the gear indicator switch locates which looks as though it might have worn through the anodising.

Heads have cleaned up and show minimal signs if wear although the valve seat/valve contact...

Because I want something a bit more suitable for touring on (with a pillion) I’m reluctantly offering my 2009 Monster 1100S for sale. £5250 ono.

It now gets used. 1st owner did only 14,500 miles in 10 years. It's now done 18,500 (30,000km)

It has a full Ducati dealer service history up to 14,500 miles.

It has been meticulously maintained and looked after by both it’s previous owner and me but prior to delivery to its new owner I will fit new cam belts, give it a full service, fit new friction plates to the clutch (as the current ones are approaching their wear limit) and do the Desmo service which is due.

Being the S model it has

Fully adjustable Ohlins suspension front and rear
Carbon fibre cam belt covers
Carbon fibre front mudguard
Lightweight Marchesini forged wheels

In addition it has
Carbon fibre Termignoni exhausts (I don’t have the originals) complete with requisite ECU upgrade
Carbon fibre rear hugger
Carbon fibre swing arm cover
Carbon fibre front hugger extender...

The Diavel 1260 S wins the Good Design Award

Another prestigious prize for the unique Diavel 1260 design
A true style icon, the Diavel 1260 continues its winning streak in international design competitions
Powerful and beefy, this motorcycle combines maxi-naked performance with muscle cruiser ergonomics

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 10 January 2020 – Design and sheer personality have always been an essential part of every Ducati motorcycle and winning international awards proves just how dedicated the company is to these aspects.

An undisputed style icon, the Diavel 1260 S - after winning the prestigious European design prize, the Red Dot Award - has now gone on to enjoy success in the United States where the Bologna-built muscle cruiser has clinched the Good Design Award.

Assigned by the Chicago Athenaeum, Museum of Architecture and Design, and by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, the Good Design Award is one of the most sought-after prizes,...