Hi from England

[spareparts]

Just realised that I think I forgot to post a hello.  So hello!

Picked up a minty 2007 S4RS in black a couple months ago on a whim... was walking by the Ducati dealer on a quiet Sunday, when she just looked at me out of the corner and said "me, me, me!"  As they say, the rest was history

Have since done a few things to her to make her mine, and she is currently getting a full Termi system put on this week.  Will report back with some pictures hopefully very soon.

[Curmudgeon]

Greetings and welcome!

Whereabouts in the U.K. and what's your riding background? Do try to keep the front wheel on the tarmac occasionally. 

[spareparts]

Hi and thanks for the welcome.

I am on the border of West London, just 15 minutes from Heathrow airport.  Started life as a scooterist commuting through London everyday on 125ccs, and was very much a Honda-man going through VFRs and FireBlade. And then the trackday bug bit me hard!  I still ride a GSX-R 1000 K6 which has been heavily fettled by the guys at Crescent (team Suzuki) for occasional weekends and track use.  Imho, the K6 represents the final era in analogue vs digital sportbikes. 

The S4RS replaces a Kawasaki ZR1100, and it was bought as the naked weekender to round out the garage trifecta: daily commuter (Yamaha TMax), track/sportsbike (K6), and the Monster for everything else

[Curmudgeon]

Hammersmith? 

Given that you've survived the A4 that long, the S4RS should be no issue! Interesting stable. Where do you ride on the weekends? When visiting, I favored the A44 and then B roads and lanes in Gloucestershire. Typical tourist. 

Have Fun!

[spareparts]

Close guess!  But a bit further west to Chiswick roundabout   I cross the Hammersmith flyover everyday... commuting along the A4, through the West End and to the City in London rush hour traffic is a great way to wake up before and after work.  Brings meaning to phrase 'one long overtake'

Weekend rides through Buckinghamshire/Surrey/Sussex always provide good entertainment nearby, but otherwise I'm happy to ride anywhere 

The S4RS is just a brilliant ride, but she is still a pussycat compared to the K6... (160kg+183rwhp+no TC she happily lifts in 3rd )

[Curmudgeon]

Chiswick? Guess you have no shortage of London Pride then! 

Those A4 roundabouts in heavy traffic must make you brilliant on the track Motorcycle messengers in London appear to survive although I've no idea how! Did meet a nice girl doing that in SW7 when I couldn't locate a mews I needed. That one had "The Knowledge". Amazing!

Stay Safe!

[spareparts]

LOL, London Pride    Sounds like you miss London... well I miss the US! (used to live in Boston many years ago)

Still have much to learn on track - have done the CSS programme a few times, and it has been a revelation... one of the best ways for anyone to improve their riding.  Was out at Aragon, Spain earlier this year - simply epic!  Excuse the non-Ducati content, but here is a pic

[Curmudgeon]

Silverstone? Nice angle! Thanks for sharing.

Miss London? Sure, but no longer in the budget. I'm retired! Used to have business in the West Midlands and used those visits for wandering where I was told to go.  Never went south much. Fond of Real Ale though, so used to do "mobile pub crawls" in Bucks, Wilts, Oxon, etc. Shhh... Know a bit of Hampshire around New Forest. Only mentioned London Pride as you pass the brewery on your commute. Have a handful of West End pubs I like of course. Wish I could get Old Hooky or Summer Lightening over here but neither Hook Norton nor Hopback export. 

[bikepilot]

Welcome    A solid assortment of bikes you've got.  I've lived in the UK (oxford) and Boston as well, now am in DC and headed to FL soon. 

[spareparts]

Silverstone? Nice angle! Thanks for sharing.

That pic was taken at Aragon... There's no sunshine at Silverstone  . 

Welcome    A solid assortment of bikes you've got.  I've lived in the UK (oxford) and Boston as well, now am in DC and headed to FL soon. 

Hi Bikepilot, thanks for the welcome.  Last time I was in DC was a road trip during my college years.  Strayed onto the Maryland side and got caught in the middle of a gang face off!

[Curmudgeon]

That pic was taken at Aragon... There's no sunshine at Silverstone  . 

I could swear I saw bright spots in Towcester in July once!  Probably 2006...

[bikepilot]

That pic was taken at Aragon... There's no sunshine at Silverstone  . 

Hi Bikepilot, thanks for the welcome.  Last time I was in DC was a road trip during my college years.  Strayed onto the Maryland side and got caught in the middle of a gang face off!

The DC area is likely better, but PG county MD is still a bit of a third-world country.   

[spareparts]

Finally got around to some pics



and her brothers

[Curmudgeon]

Very nice! I can see how that one blew in your ear.  Give up a Ducs in the Wild shot of that one in front of a 500-year-old pub when the weather is nice again.

Those wheels are my current faves. Came on my 796 but I never realized they came standard on a late SR4S too.