Hello-
Has anyone ever been to a Ducati demo truck event? What was it like? What should I expect? It looks like you can demo any bike in the 2008 line up ;D.
Cheers,
Dan
Ooooooh, coming right up huh?! Never been to one of these, I would also like to hear more about it. What is the cost, etc?
I would love to demo a hypermotard ;D
the demo truck is a fun event ! Typically it will be a mixture of current and last years models..many with mods done like exhaust or suspension upgrades !! I believe the new 696 may be on board now as well. they are all rider controlled rides usually 15-20 minutes in length. If you miss the event most dealers still offer demo rides on many models they have in stock.
It was just up here at DucSea a few weeks ago. They had a nice selection of bikes. No cost Dan. Just your soul if you drop one. [cheeky]
**Didn't realize you just posted "DucSea Dave"
Dan..this guy ^ can tell you all about it if you need to know more! [thumbsup]
So were can i go to see the schedule on where this truck is going to be?? i would literally fall into depression if i miss this.
DUC TRUCK (http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorthamerica/events/detail.jhtml?eventId=15421)
I know the driver.
He is a cool guy [thumbsup]
Just went to the one in Denver last week, it was pretty cool! They had most of the bikes there, no 1098, but they had the 848, 696, S2R, Multi, Sport Classic, some others, and even a tri color...
I didn't demo anything because I was short on time and didn't feel like getting on the wait list. It was amazing how many non-duc people came up and talked to me about my monster after seeing the other Ducati's. Definitely seemed to generate a lot of interest!
i jsut went to one on tuesday. we ahd to call before hand and get our names down to reserve the bike we wnated at a specific time.
they had every bike, well except the 1098R and the desmo, but thats to be expected lol.
it was about a 20min ride. Rode a tricolor S4Rs and a standard hyper. They had the S model, and an S model with a termi. but i wanted to the ride the base bike becuase thats what i might ahve bought.
it was tons of fun. that Hyper is a great bike, just not what i was looking for in a bike. Beucase of that test ride i bought the S4RS. Not at the delaer that presented the test ride, but thats their own high priced fault lol.
What suprised me the most was the lack of a sales pitch. No one bothered you. Free to sit on all the bikes when they came back from the ride, and free to ride as many bikes as you wanted if there where free spots.
One guy was there all day and rode every bike lol
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 29, 2008, 01:42:12 PM
I know the driver.
He is a cool guy [thumbsup]
Yes, he was. I met him at DucSea. We got to talking since he just drove up from the Jupiter, FL area (where I was previously living).
The DucTruck was in Denver last week, managed to get a ride on a Multi and an S4R Tricolore. Great bunch of people and no sales pitch. Lots of non Duc owners signed up for a test ride. The 696's was still brand new so revving over 6k was not allowed. I spoke to a few people that rode it and most said they were surprised how stable it felt through corners.
The Duc Truc will be in CT in June!
Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooo
No mid-west stops :-\
I am getting more stoked thinking about taking the day off and spending it test riding bikes. The truck will be about 100 miles away so I will also get some time on my S2R800 on back roads (mostly) before and afterwards. Fun, fun, fun. I wonder if it will change my opinions about the different models and if that will create a desire to replace what I have for something else. I have test ridden a Multi and GT1000 and liked them both - but not as much as my monster. It will be great to get on a hyper and 848, plus what ever else I can try. I'll post what the day is like.
Cheers
Quote from: Ducatiloo on May 29, 2008, 04:13:01 PM
No mid-west stops :-\
If it's the same as last year the truck will head to Canada for a few weeks in late June and then head west. I don't think the full schedule is listed on the link posted.
I attended one last year. It's a great chance to ride a couple of different models back to back.
Warning: Demo rides may cause a serious reaction that results in an immediate Ducati purchase
Demo rides are really fun events! We just did it with Triumph and had a GREAT time! Ducati does a really good job with it as well.
Do you need full track gear for the test rides? If not, does anyone know what IS required?
Quote from: Jnaids07 on May 30, 2008, 05:11:15 AM
Do you need full track gear for the test rides? If not, does anyone know what IS required?
My guess is an M endorsement, helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and possibly insurance?
Licence
This is what they wanted at Cliff's
License (no Permit) Insurance, the safety gear was suggested but not required.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 30, 2008, 05:26:37 AM
My guess is an M endorsement, helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and possibly insurance?
That's EXACTLY what they wanted in my case. Interestingly enough, if you don't presently have bike insurance they will take your car insurance instead.
Quote from: PizzaMonster on May 30, 2008, 08:44:58 AM
That's EXACTLY what they wanted in my case. Interestingly enough, if you don't presently have bike insurance they will take your car insurance instead.
That is odd. I guess Insurance is Insurance.
Quote from: Jnaids07 on May 30, 2008, 05:11:15 AM
Do you need full track gear for the test rides? If not, does anyone know what IS required?
License M endorsement included, insurance, and what gear makes you legal in your state, however most people will show up in modest to full gear, so try not to look like a squid ;)
When I went to the one at NPR, it was almost out of slots, I only got to ride the sportclassic. I was very impressed with it. [thumbsup] Now I've narrowed it down to either a Multi, Sportclassic, Monster, 1098, 848, aw hell let me throw in the hyper also. ;D
Does anyone know what time the demo rides usually start?
Quote from: red duke on June 12, 2008, 09:59:06 AM
Does anyone know what time the demo rides usually start?
generally 9am. usually on friday morning thru the afternoon. then, the same thing on saturday. i will be there tomorrow at 9 am trying to blow up everything i can get my hands on. :o [moto]
Where is the truck now?
Winchester Va. June 27-28
www.ducpond.com
Quote from: GotDuc on May 30, 2008, 01:31:13 PM
That is odd. I guess Insurance is Insurance.
The bikes are insured, they are insured. They just want to make sure no one
uninsurable is riding their bikes. (Stands to reason if you can't get insurance or don't have a license, you're not really in the market for a bike. ;D)
Demo Trucks are fun. Last year I rode the HM, which I was hot for, a Sport 1000 and a GT 1000 with a gel seat and the full-termi kit (which was my favorite, btw). I lucked out and dropped my Triumph off for service just as they were opening. I was the ONLY PERSON THERE for about two hours. [thumbsup] [moto] [thumbsup] [moto] [thumbsup]
After all that, I'd talked myself out of the HM, for now, and found my sweet '99 with 3500 miles on it a week later.
It was here in Vegas last weekend, but I was too friggin busy to go. I'd suggest going early on Friday if you can't swing it. It will be desolate. Sat. pm will be a zoo.
That sounds like fun [thumbsup]
Quote from: bdub on June 12, 2008, 05:53:03 PM
Winchester Va. June 27-28
www.ducpond.com
Good catch. DucPond wasn't listed when I checked earlier, but now it is. I'm moving to Winchester this summer. So, I might be there on a house hunting trip around the time of the Duc Truck visit. Thanks for the heads up.
Truck in Denver...
(http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pqReSghzvZu2ziFwBhezrWedNdmNVhLK4ilw6ZDJNgJnaAC9PmVmuy_Gmz-5Laa7ruDv2ksk5BvHnDp-hQ-cWD1aGsl4j0Mia)
(http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pqReSghzvZu2cf3nbch2WMi2KLqs7n9yqjVZjeiqToqsvl9v-y9uB1HrfnPbU4QCSK114x1Joe2OqVD23X2sCWEz58l_OjWnP)
The Duc Truck does indeed make MidWest stops. Just got off of a HyperMotard "S" with Termis this afternoon. It was about a 20-ish minute ride, through city, curves, and a highway blast. Very nice motor, that 1100.
Though the DS motor impresses the heck out of me (low end torque fan here), I couldn't get over how twitchy the front end felt. It could have been the wide bars, and I'm sure it'd be easy to get used to. Anyone else feel that way about the HM? Felt like the front end would break traction out of some corners if you're not paying attention-the throttle was pretty touchy.
Overall, though, I liked the HM. Not any more than my S2R, since the HM feels like it'd be challenging for lengthy rides. Seat comfort and riding position would be, um, uncomfortable. But I could always hope for that lottery ticket. . . . . .
As someone said, there was zero pressure to buy, accessorize, or trade in for a Ducati. That alone was very cool. I support that dealer anyway, and the demo afternoon, DucTruck event was well worth going to.
Makes me really look forward to getting my S2R kitted with an exhaust and ECU after feeling the power from that HM. Ohhhhh, yes.
Ducati truck in Concord California a few weeks back:
They had an 848 available (which I rode), but no 1098. The dealership added a 1098 of their own by the third ride.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/scottrnelson/Ducati/IMG_0371.jpg)
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/scottrnelson/Ducati/IMG_0343.jpg)
Oh, and does your local Ducati dealership have anything like this assortment inside?
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/scottrnelson/Ducati/IMG_0361.jpg)
it's at cliff's ducati in danbury, ct this weekend.
June 20-22: Cliff's Cycle Revolutionâ€"Danbury, CT
June 27-28: Duc Pond Motosportsâ€"Winchester, VA
[coffee]
I will be at DucPond this Friday by around 10am. I will be on my black S2R800. Anyone else from here going?
I called Chicago Cycles to see if they had the truck coming, a few weeks ago. i got their auto call back vm today, inviting me to come to the Demo... Today. Way to give me notice. >:(
If any of you new englanders can make it to the one they do at the track in Loudon, that's the one to go to!!!!
They don't let you ride them on the track, but there is a road course set up behind the track. It's a course that the NH State police use to practice driving techniques. It's pretty close to a track day, though. It's closed to other vehicles, and you get to go around the course a bunch of times so you get to know the lines and where you can push it.
Highly recomend. I road the wheels off a number of models last year. [moto]
The Ducati demo truck was at DucPond last Friday and Saturday. A great time, both at the demo and the 100mi each way ride on my S2R800. The Ducati folks were knowledgeable and fun to talk to. Donnie, Julia, and Jason and the other folks at DucPond were awesome, as usual. The truck had water and espresso, in addition to the demo bikes. DucPond had drinks and sandwiches, not to mention the bikes on the show room floor and tons of knowledge. Hopefully I will post pictures in the next couple of days.
I was there on Friday and there was a good crowd, but not to many folks that you couldn't ride what you wanted. I suspect they were hammered on Saturday. I got to ride the four bikes I wanted to: Hypermotard(s), 848, GT1000, MTS1000s. I've ridden the GT1000 and MTS before as I was considering those two before buying the S2R. The test ride was 9-10 miles and a good mix of turns, speed, and traffic. Overall, it was enough to get a feel for the bikes. A longer ride would have been better, but these were completely sufficient. All bikes held the road and turns wonderfully. Riders needed a full face helmet, gloves, jacket, long pants. It is a break it, you buy it deal. Apparently they used to have a 1098 on the truck but someone put it in the ditch a few truck stops ago. Tough way to buy a bike.
The Hyper is pure fun. Very comfortable to ride; I loved the ergos. Power came on fast but smooth. While the riding position is tall, it feels completely stable. Would like to have one. I'm not a fan about how the front looks, or the small gas tank, but riding is it is all fun. The 848 was my first ride on a true race bike. I was nearly done with the test ride by the time I finally got my weight off my hands. Even riding with too much of my weight on my hands, it was fun. Incredibly smooth on all fronts; suspension, power, etc. In traffic you could really feel the heat coming up from under the seat. Not comfortable for me, but I image it would it be great to have on a track. The GT1000 was comfortable with its seat, and ergos - the handlebar is high and sweeping. Sits in turns well. Doesn't drop into turns like the monster, but sits into and holds them well. I am a fan of the GT1000 stying and one of the GT1000s available had the termis. Amazing sound. Better than the termis on some of the other demo bikes. I slide up on the tank some, and that bothers me about the GT1000 but that would be easy to remedy. The MTS was very comfortable and rode great. If I was looking for a bike to tour with, it would be the MTS. I think the MTS does most things very well.
One aspect about testing these bikes is that I was looking to see if, a year later, I wanted replace the S2R800 for something else (I had a lot of trouble deciding between the GT1000 and S2R800 last year) or start putting money into my monster, to make it MY Monster. I think it is time to go forward with some of those mods...