Got up this morning had a look at the weather forecast and it looked to be a decent day, if a little couldy. As I'm on a bender next Saturday and off to Italy for a couple of weeks, the week after, this may be my last chace to have a Sunday out this year. Then I thought, Des hasn't seen the light of day for about 4 years, let's stretch his legs. Went online, got it taxed and ready for the off. I thought I'd do one of my favourite runs and headed to God's biking country. Had a stop over in Devil's Bridge, Kirby Lonsdale for a drink and cheeseburger. Did about 200 miles in total today, up through Penrith and back over Hartside Pass. Took part in a multi choice quiz 3 times today. I chose 'Green' all 3 times and seem to have got it correct. Got back home after about 5 hours, giving Des a good scrub. The Labrador was out for a walk, so had to use my dog dryer at the end of the process. *Edited for @Ducbird
Sounds like you had a great day, multiple choice success THREE times (is a huge improvement), electric dog drying and a brilliant bin edit thrown in together with a cheese burger lunch out! Some guys live the high life.
Taking it easy. New tyres and I wore textiles and kevlar jeans. It's an expensive toy to lob through a hedge and I feel no need to be a legend on the road.
Was a Desmo up at Willy Woods this afternoon... lovely things. They have a kind face and I imagine them being nice to ride.
I spotted Des and gave (I’m assuming you) a thumbs up today. Middleton-in-Teesdale. Looked epic out in the wild! I was on one of ‘our lots’ many Sunday ride coffee breaks
Were there 3 of you? on my left. I remember that around that area. Nice to meet you. I remember a few bikers jumping up, during a coffee break at some tables by the side of the road. One of them looked to have gained a lap full of coffee. You sometimes get that reaction.
I almost forgot. When I pulled it out of the garage this morning and saw the old school (10 years old design now) mix of carbon, titanium and magnesium before me. I went through a mental checklist. Traction control - Nope ABS - Nope Blipper - Nope Quickshifter - Nope Riding modes - Nope Anti wheelie - Nope IMU - Nope. An exhaust note to wake the dead - Check.
"Des hasn't seen the light of day for 4 years..." and you go out start it up and blast around 200 miles .....is it a Honda? I WANT ONE! Most reliable Ducati ever....hahaaaaaa
I don't remember. The carbon wheels had me tipping into corners too early and having to pick the bike back up. It's quick enough and I got nowhere near scratching the surface today tbh. It feels on a par with the 1098R and Pani R speed wise, just different. It doesn't have the torque of the 1098R, but neither does the Pani R, the engine is awsome when revved. The brakes on the Pani R are better, but I would expect that 10 years on. The Desmo feels lighter than both the other bikes, not sure if it is, but it feels like it. Oh and the suspension is suited to tracks or smooth faster roads, it's rock hard and I was out of the seat and off the pegs a few times on the bumpy stuff.
