So I just joined the Ducati community last night. I was able to use some of the knowledge from this board to know what to look for and what to look out for, so thanks to everyone that contributes.
I am from Fort Worth, Texas and I have had my motorcycle license for 21 years. I have been actively riding for the past 5 years as I wasn't able to afford a motorcycle all the way through college and through starting my career.
I have owned a YZF600R, a R1, and currently own a Big Dog Chopper for when me and the wife want to go out on a bike. The YZF I out grew fairly quickly and it was traded in on the Big Dog. The R1 was picked at the Dallas Motorcycle show as best in class for that parking lot by some thief and it left before I did. So after mourning the loss of the R1, I began searching for what my next day-to-day bike should be. I have always loved the toque and feel of a v-twin, but I missed the precise handling of the Supersport class bike. I also didn't want to have the typical sport bike that looks just like every other sport bike in the parking lot. This led me to naked street bikes. I looked at Buell, Suzuki SV's, B-Kings, and every other naked street bike that I could find. Each bike that I saw seemed to be a compromise that I was unwilling to make. I also looked at the entire Monster line up to see which model would fit my taste.
In January of this year, I finally found it. A 2005 S4R was found on CL and I began talking with the owner. Turns out he is a nice guy that was just ready to move out of motorcycling and into Mountain Biking. He provided me with all the maintenance records, extra filters, oil, misc parts, covers, and a tank bag. I bought the bike yesterday and rode it 50 miles back to Ft. Worth. When I started the trip, I didn't know what to think. This is the first Ducati I had owned. The only thing that I had ridden that was close to the sound and feel of this machine was the 1125R. What I found by the end of the ride, was that this bike delivers on exactly what I wanted in a motorcycle. It takes what the 1125R does and does it better. There is just a difference in who it feels that I haven't felt on any other bike that I have ridden. Now every time I walk out in my garage I see the beautiful styling and I am eager for the next day that I can swing my leg over her and go.
So thanks for this communities help in making this decision and I look forward to sharing back as I learn.
Since I wasn't getting any replies to the thread, I thought I would include a picture.
(http://lstwo.com/images/48650189358093342651.jpg)
Pictures always help ;D
Welcome here and enjoy your ride!
pretty bike.
let the mods begin [evil]
Quote from: Raux on February 21, 2011, 12:39:39 AM
pretty bike.
let the mods begin [evil]
I told myself there was no need to mod this bike. Well, that lasted one weekend. Ordered CRG bar end mirrors today at lunch.