The year was 1997. I was but a wee lad of only 9 years old in a strange dealership the likes of which I'd never seen before in Northeastern Idaho selling a brand of motorcycle I'd never heard of before, what the hell is a Ducati anyway? My biological dad had always been a Goldwing kind of guy, always getting the latest model, to me that was a bike.
Anyway it was later on, probably early evening and my step father had just taken delivery of a brand new 900CR, I still remember loving the look of the exposed engine and awesome looking frame, finished in that classic bronze/gold color. The first time I heard it fire up it felt like something moved in my very soul. However another bike caught my eye, leading to a life long obsession that will finally come to fruition this summer. It was the monster, finished in that gorgeous red, the same perfect frame, but somehow pulling it off all the better in my young eyes.
I was hooked, who wouldn't want to have a bike called the monster, it just seemed so perfect. In turn every special model amazed and enthralled me. The Monster seemed to be the bike that Ducati turned their designers loose on to do whatever tickled their fancy. The Chromo, the brooding Dark, dazzling Metallic, I loved them all. Then I saw my first S4, you mean I can have an SSA like the gorgeous 916/996 but on my favorite Monster (heh puns) of a bike? My mind was blown and I had to have one.
I simply bided my time knowing that someday that little sexy naked Italian would be mine. Then time passed and things changed. My dad sold the CR for a R1200GS which gave way to a 996, then a K1200S and finally to a 2012 R1200GS which he has to this day.
My life also went through some changes, joined the Air Force, deployed, got injured in afghanistan, got married married, had a kid. After Afghanistan I bought a friend's poor neglected 2001 SV650. I brought it back to life, in my mind nothing more than a cheaper Monster with a funny accent. However my back injury kept getting worse and I was looking for a way to stay on two wheels in comfort. My step dad's GS called my name, if I am honest it's a great bike and I wanted one. The only problem for me was that it moved my mind and body, but it didn't move my soul.
Then one day I was doing some surfing on the internet and came to a startling revelation. The BMW is $20k, which I can afford, but the bike of my dreams, the object of a 17 year obsession is half that! I told the wife and she was sold. So this summer I will be picking up a new Ducati Monster 796. The novel is over now, sorry!
Now the nitty gritty
Stationed in New Mexico
No bikes right now, but soon a Monster 796
11yrs on two wheels, first half on the dirt only, second half street only on a variety of questionable bikes
Welcome L_TWIN_FTW
Great source of info here...
Look forward to pics when you get your 796 :)
cheers
Craig....
Enjoy achieving your dream. The wait will have seemed worth it.
Thanks for your service! I was in the branch that uses floating airports.
I have an update!!!!!! I am now the proud owner of a 2013 Ducati Monster 796 20th Anniversary Edition!!!!! It's a brand new bike, now just to get shipping figured out from St. Louis to here! I have not been this excited in a damn long time!
[beer]
Congrats! [beer]
You may have to sleep next to it for a while. :D
If it weren't for the 10 month old in the house it'd probably come through the front door and into the living room for a while. I forgot to mention that it is number 122 of 200.
I love these kind of story.
For alot of us it was the bike they wanted to have for a long time and it usually does not disappoint. Enjoy.
Klaus