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well after what seems like an eternity the surgeon said I could ride again today so came back to work on the multi as the weather is scorchio, not allowed to do TD's yet as the multiple bits of bone are still knitting together. he said it took the hours to repair it as it was smashed to bits .. 6 pieces he said , I think that's why it aches lot as there is quite a big chunk of titanium holding it all together. Can also go back to the gym but got to take it easy.
quite nervous on the bike tbh, just kept thinking to myself, don't fall off, don't fall off !!

I posted this stupid short video on a Guzzi forum and hardly anybody took a blind bit of notice
So given that the same thing happened with the Sfida and more on here liked the Sfida first fire, I thought maybe somebody on here might want a wee look

The Sfida 1100 now, it's going for an MOT next week
The Australia is based around a Guzzi Daytona RS (I know, I know, another fugly Guzzi). I got the bike probably about 6-8 months ago now and only had one attempt at firing it up, when some mates came around to hear it and of course it wouldn't start, you can imagine the result.

Anyway I had to replace the timing gears (Aluminium to Steel), oil pump (original runs in sleeves and is a known weak point), cam followers (some were soft) and a few other odds and ends. The main gear & Pump mod involved tearing off the belts, pulleys, a few casings, the front subframe and all the shit that hangs off the front subframe. Given my ineptitude I was a trifle nervous.

The vid is actually after it...

The most precious and exclusive Monster ever to celebrate 25 years of history of the iconic Ducati naked
Limited edition of only 500 numbered pieces
A special colour scheme, machined from solid components, high-quality finishings, carbon fibre and a lot of technology

Bologna, Italy, 27 June 2018 – The Monster was first presented at the Cologne trade fair in 1992, production began on 5 March 1993 and in just a few years the bike reached icon status in the world of motorcycles. The model was responsible for launching the category of Naked sports bikes and an ever growing and ever more devoted community of riders grew up around it: the Monster fans. To celebrate 25 years of history of the most iconic of the Bologna-based manufacturer's motorcycles – over 325,000 of them have been made since 1993 – Ducati has decided to create the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario.

Only 500 numbered motorcycles will be produced of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario , which for Ducati embodies the maximum...

First time at caddy on the 1299s she went well ....hard work tho

New arrival - Just in time for the good weather .!!!

I have 2 748r now, which makes it even more unlikely I will use this one, so offering it for sale.
March 2002 slab sided full ohlins model.
8146 miles. 4 owners. UK supplied from new.
Spent much of its life in private collections , service history as follows.
22.7.02. 702mls
03.03.03. 3380mls
25.7.06. 6421mls
04.04.14. 7926mls
07.09.17. 7989mls.
2 keys,all books and manuals.
Hpi clear. Excellent condition. No paint flake on engine.
Engine no and vin checked with Italy.
All correct R parts fitted. Detailed pics on request.
Some extra ms production carbon parts fitted,can easily be removed.(Hugger,heel plates & exhaust guard)
No time wasters please, based gretna/Carlisle border.
Price is 9k.

Finally found a decent 999

Well the 1299 has gone after 2 good years and 9000 miles. Realised for me that sports bikes are wasted on the road and I don’t do enough trackdays I’ve gone down the super naked route. The monster doesn’t float my boat but a mate has just got a black 1200r which does look quite mean, also after having one as a courtesy bike it gave me a headache after 15min.

Test rode the 1290 Super Duke which looks so much better outside the showroom and was an awesome bike. However took out the Tuono Factory and was blown away. Easy to ride at any speed and the noise was something else.

Got it on Wednesday and have done 430 miles so far. Couldn’t get an earlier date than the 14th July for the first service so only 200 miles until then to play with.

Will keep dropping in on the forum as it is one of the better and more active ones.

What can I say, I merely checked the oil, pumped the tyres, lubed the chain and off I went, no dramas, problems, trips to the dealers, nothing! Have I bought a duff one?

Epic trip, taking in La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Logrono, Segovia, Toledo, Granada, Gibraltar, Badajoz, Salamanca, Pamplona, Mont De Marsan, Limoges and St.Malo.

Pushing hard in the twisties at 34 degC plus, between Badajoz and Salamanca (surprisingly good run) showed the limitations of the 19" front wheel/Scorpion Trail rubber over my 2010 S with PR4's, where the front would lose it's bite and start pushing slightly (very predictable and progressively) after some prolonged hard use, but nothing disconcerting.

For the reference of others planning a Euro trip, France is a damn sight more expensive than Spain, for fuel, beer, accommodation and food etc.

A lot of insects were harmed in the making of this trip.

Two weeks, door to door 4050 miles and only three days lost to rain (went fishing instead).
Got out on the bike every other day and midges were a non-event.

Rode just about every great road north of the central belt and did the full NC500 but did it in two parts over two separate days.

Fab despite the weather but I'll have to go back I reckon to explore more of the south and the borders. (And Northumberland. My new favourite place in England).

Spec as follows;
V5 in my name.
Genuine 748R frame, powder coated red
1098SF engine
1098 throttle bodies
STM Evolution Slipper clutch- set up and works perfectly
JHP 1/2 clutch cover
Hyper S forged wheels
848 front discs
848 rear disc with electronic speed sensor
1098 ohlins forks
ohlins rear shock
Black powder coated swing arm with CF cover
M4 front calipers
Radial 1098 brake and clutch M/C's
Exact start starter cables
1098 electronics/dash/ecu/injectors/loom
Full 50mm termi exhaust
Ali water header tank
CF vented front mudguard/fender
Silicon hose kit
'DUC' number plate
Modified 916 airbox with CF carbon sides, properly fitted with Dzuz fasteners (not sticky tape)
I purchased the engine from a breaker in Germany who claimed it had covered 12000Km and the belts and valves had been done at 10k, I have no way to confirm this of course.
I've changed the oil and filter every year regardless of mileage

I built the bike in 2014 and have done less than 2k per year since.
Starts on the...

Friday 20 July the Ducati riders will take part in a Flat Track Race at the Misano Arena
Live music, live radio broadcasts and hot-air balloon rides to enjoy WDW from above as well as lots more fun initiatives at the Scrambler Village
All aboard for test rides of the entire Ducati Scrambler range and the Flat Track School

Bologna, Italy, 22 June 2018 – The Ducati Scrambler Land of Joy and its many fun initiatives is a must for the busy programme of events confirmed for WDW2018 to take place from 20 to 22 July at the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit.

During the first day, Friday 20 July, the opening event of WDW will be the Flat Track Race featuring the Ducati race-track riders. Andrea Dovizioso, who won the 2016 edition, Troy Bayliss, Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller and Michele Pirro are among the riders who will take part in the race with a racetrack-configured Ducati Scrambler Flat Track Pro. The challenge will take place on the kilometre-long track of the Misano Arena...

I wasn't happy with the exhaust after I had mulled over its final fitting i took it back to the fabs and added 40mm to the length of the linkpipe and this moved the cans to where I wanted them.
It was also smashing the hugger to bits over jumps.
A lot better now. I can't believe it's now 9 years old. Seems so long ago it was red and then green

A before and after pic

Hi all
I've just returned to riding after an unwanted break due to the normal things in life like parenting and finances etc. I'm absolutely delighted to be back on two wheels and this is my first Ducati and dream bike. I've ridden on and off since my teens from field bikes through to Harley's and I've spent the last six months researching the perfect bike for me... half the fun!

Being 6'6" and wanting relative comfort but craving a performance machine I arrived at the Monster and rapidly found my way to the 1200R despite originally looking at the S. The R just fits me perfectly with the extra height and every time I set on it my heart pounded... a test ride sealed it. 2 months scanning the country for the perfect bike and toying with new ended sharply with this find ironically at my local dealer! As new with 1700 miles and half of the Performance catalogue already fitted... I found my dream bike One week and 250 miles in and I'm blown away. I work for Mercedes-benz so I'm used to...

Alessandro Valia on a Panigale V4 S for the second round of the Pan Delta Series of the Chinese Superbike Championship
Victories in both Race 1 and Race 2 mark the first international success for the Ducati Panigale V4
The result confirms the outstanding performance of the Panigale V4, the maximum expression of engineering for Ducati’s production superbike


Zhuhai (China), 18 June 2018 – A few days before of the official launch of the Ducati Panigale V4 in Asia, the official Ducati test rider Alessandro Valia scores an outstanding result on the Chinese circuit of Zhuhai at the Pan Delta Series, the Chinese Superbike Championship.

A production motorcycle accessorized with Ducati Performance parts, ridden on the track by Alessandro Valia, racing against internationally renowned WSBK-spec bikes and riders, achieving the pole position on Friday and the first place in both races on Saturday and Sunday.

Valia as part of the CER - Ducati Hong Kong racing team - felt immediately...

WDW2018 will see Ducati riders challenge each other on the Panigale V4 S
The race is the absolute highlight of the great Ducati gathering from 20 to 22 July at the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit
Pass and ticket purchasing options are available from wdw.ducati.com, Ducati Stores or Desmo Owners Clubs worldwide

A few days after Ducati MotoGP and SBK riders confirmed their attendance at WDW2018, another exciting development has made the event more of a must than ever: The Race of Champions.

On Saturday 21 July Ducati riders will engage in a thrilling challenge at the Misano World Circuit as they go head to head on limited-edition Panigale V4 S motorcycles with a special configuration.
Shortly before the race, aerobatics of Italy's Tricolour Arrows flying over the starting grid will make the event even more breath-taking.

Twelve renowned riders, "Ducati flagbearers" past and present, will compete in an unprecedented challenge: MotoGP and Superbike riders like Andrea...

First ride out ‍♂️

I decided to treat myself today.

Although I've never owned a TAG Heuer, I've always loved the look of the Monaco Gulf watch. I noticed a new one a few weeks ago in a jewelers window whilst in the city centre. I looked into it and I found out that they had released this special edition watch again for 2018.

I've looked a couple of times over the past few weeks but managed to resist. Until today that is, when I had another look online and noticed a jeweler had a 10% discount code on all TAG watches. That was enough for me to pull the pin on something I was thinking of doing anyway.

You can't take it with you. (But I will take this watch with me.)

Just got back as left a little later than planned to avoid the rain. Really sorry @El Toro

Anyhoo, all went well, just gonna fit the tail tidy and exhaust hanger now, not much else to do really.
Verdict so far....Only running in and not broke 6k, but that motor is a torque monster.

Will post up some better pics when I lose that fuggin ugly tail and those ridiculous rear pegs.

PS, if anyone needs spares like discs, exhaust, mudguard, triple clamp etc etc, all the stuff I had replaced, just drop me a line as it will all end up on flea bay otherwise.