M696 Down Under

[ungeheuer]

Australia is big. It takes five hours by commercial airliner to travel from Melbourne to Perth. And more importantly, it's almost 100 miles from my home to the nearest Ducati dealer..... just up the road then  .

Australia is big with an extremely urbanized population. So once you leave the city behind Australia is not just big, it’s big and empty. Ideal then for those of us who enjoy the open road. The long and winding open road..... 





But there are dangers. Most Australian drivers are asleep at the time. Having little need to check for any other traffic they go about their motoring... not checking for any other traffic.  "Jeez mate, where did you come from....."  they might say right after they've just turned left in front of you..... right after they indicated in cornfirmation that... they just turned left in front of you.

Although more observant than the aforementioned drivers, there's also the killer wildlife to contend with....



And in summer (as sadly I'm sure the whole world is now aware) the ever present threat of bushfire...



But on a sunny day there's (almost) nothing I'd rather do than ride my 696 on the beautiful roads of rural Victoria.



So where the bloody hell are ya?  [moto]


These pics were taken today (14/02/2009 - yeah I know I'm so romantic) on the road between my home and Phillip Island.

[DucHead]

Wow, beautiful pics, thanks!!! 

[monstermania]

SWEET, No traffic....I like.   Way different than Los Angeles.

[T. Rush]

Great pics thanks. It's only 22*f here right now! 

[sfarchie]

SWEET, No traffic....I like.   Way different than Los Angeles.

Most places aren't like Los Angeles. 

[Keld]

From Sweden. Just now its -5C. this would be a good time to go visit my sister in Brisbane

[IZ]

Nice pics!  Thanks!! 

BTW..I like the red pin striping on the rims! 

[semyhr]

It looks like that bike was made to ride those roads 

[DucatiBastard]

you ask your girl if she'd like an Australian kiss, she says what's that?

you say, It's like a French kiss, only its down undah

[Big Troubled Bear]

Very nice piccies, remind me of home

[ungeheuer]

Very nice piccies, remind me of home

So where's home then BTB?

[ungeheuer]

Here's the latest on my 696.... I think I'm almost done now  (hands up all those who believe that?....)











Red reflective rim stripes.
Rizoma grips and bar-end weights.
DP tail tidy.
DP touring/comfort seat.
14t front sprocket.
Stebel Nautilus air horn.
Ozyknobs frame-sliders.
Ugly frame stickers... um... relocated.
Carbon fibre Termignonis.
Pazzo Racing levers in billet alloy with red adjusters.

[Sleeper_I]

Nice!
Where did you end up mounting the Stebel?

[mattyvas]

Hey Ungeheuer,

    nice pics, glad you like living in Oz and using the great roads down there.
Why don't you hook up with some of the people in VIC from the Oz Monsters.
There is a tops group of riders down there.

cheers
Matty...

[ungeheuer]

Where did you end up mounting the Stebel?

Stebel's right here....





.... a tight squeeze I gotta tell ya....