First Time Monster Owner

[By-Tor]

Greetings fellow Ducatistis.  I am the proud owner of a new 2012 M796.  Well, I should say *almost* an owner.  Due to silly property tax laws here in Missouri, you are taxed annually for any vehicles which you possessed on January 1 of that year.  So, if I pick up the bike now, my annual tax penalty starts next year, but if I wait until January 2, then I don't have to pay any annual taxes until 2014.  I am quite certain that dealerships here must hate this as much as buyers do as their December sales are likely really weak and they get a crazy rush in January.  Oh well, such is life here.

So, weather permitting (keeping fingers crossed on that one) I will be picking my new baby up in 16 days with a smile permanently tattooed on my face.  Every day that the weather is nice enough to ride between now and then is driving me crazy.  I can't wait!!!

[stopintime]

..............

with a smile permanently tattooed on my face.

Tatoo isn't required, but yes, you'll enjoy it 

Welcome 

[Slide Panda]

That's a silly way to construct that law- you sure that's right? In VA we have an annual personal property tax too. But if you buy some vehicle part way through the year you'll get a pro-rated bill for the portion of the year left at the time of purchase.

Having it as an all or none fashion sure would do a lot to kill business at any vehicle dealers late in the year... Seems silly.

But, welcome in advance. Jan 2 will be here before you know it. And really, it's chilly enough there (I bet) that you wont be riding much for a bit.

[Raux]

that being said, I bet you can get some CRAZY deals during december!

[By-Tor]

That's a silly way to construct that law- you sure that's right?

Unfortunately I am 100% sure it is right.  Silly?  Absolutely.  Would a prorated system make senese?  Of course it would, but for whatever reason it is done as an "all or nothing" approach.  For most of my life I only purchased used and relatively inexpensive bikes/cars so was never very concerned with the timing of my purchases.  When you start looking at more expensive new cars and bikes it's a big deal.  I had a leased BMW 535i which I turned in on 12/31 then picked up a new lease on 1/2 a couple years ago.  Completely avoided any property taxes for that year saving me over $1k.  The dealer actually offered that option up to me and of course I took it.  

15 days and counting!

To complete my self-introduction per the details of the instructions (yeah, I guess I should have read those first)...

Name : Craig
Location : St. Louis, MO
Current Bikes : '83 Honda XL200R, '12 Ducati M796
How long you've been riding : Off-road since I was about 10 starting with a '70 Honda CT70.  Street riding off and on since 18 (currently 38) on a variety of borrowed family member bikes and my trusty old XL200R which I have owned since I was about 16.  Still spin around town on it for kicks as I love the funny looks I get from the big bikes.

[Slide Panda]

Unfortunately I am 100% sure it is right.  Silly?  Absolutely.  Would a prorated system make senese?  Of course it would, but for whatever reason it is done as an "all or nothing" approach.

Bleh - well at least it's not good riding weather these days so waiting shouldn't be too bad. In the mean time, plenty to read on here. Tech, mods, riding techniques, gear and just general Bullshit.

[By-Tor]

No, there is no "good" riding weather here for a while, but for a guy who hasn't had the opportunity to ride any "real" bikes lately, I am merely hoping for "good enough" weather.  Did a demo ride courtesy of dealer a couple weeks ago when it was in low 40s, and the thrill of being on a Monster was all I needed to keep me warm enough.  Give me dry streets and above freezing temps and I'm riding!

[By-Tor]

At last, she is in my garage!  Sure, I had to endure a "brisk" 29 F ride home, but it is all worth it.  Leather and thermals did their job on core and legs, but fingers were still suffering a bit even with good gloves.  Temps next week are slated to be near 50 F which will practically feel like a heat wave!  Pics to come once I get her out in daylight.

[Curmudgeon]

Congrats!

Pix please...