Modern Vespa

Mid-Life Crisis, take one .........

Yes, it is true in 1980 and for a few years I rode a 750 Ducati. Well that is when the Duc started. Because sometimes one would turn the key and nothing electric came on, still "if" it would start one could ride forever ...... I guess with the impending 60th Birthday this spring, no it was lust, pure simple lust for an old lost love .....

It's a Monster Yes a 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with a few miles over the 2,000 mark .... picture one is the bike while the second picture is just a "stock" shot to show the bike stripe. What have I done that puts three bikes in the shed ......... my wife will be thrilled

You know, when a cool up-grade is "Sliders" you may have made an immature choice, it's got Sliders to protect the bike in a crash

That looks like a great purchase. But the previous owner must have been kind of strange.

A 2006 Ducati with 2000 miles on it? Why do people buy these things and leave them in the garage?

Let's do the math. 2000 miles in 8 years. 250 miles a year. 21 miles a month.

I put 2000 miles on my new Honda NC700x in the first two weeks. And it is no Ducati.

Love the Ducati S2r and S4r!
I had a Monster 1000ie, A pain to keep running while cold but it was a blast to ride after it warmed up.

She's a beut. Enjoy the ride.

Looks fantastic, congrats. Ride safe on that beast.

Dr. Scooter, nice bike congrats on your new addition. On a side note, I see you are in St. Louis and also have a GTS 250 same as I do. Can I ask what you might be doing for service these days with Vespa St. Louis pretty much closed up? Do you have anyone local you would recommend for service. I am do for valve adjustment on mine and that's one item I'm sure I couldn't handle myself.

Thanks,

Arthur

Omg
Sex on wheels
Not at all a mid-life crisis when we can finally afford some of life's less-simple pleasures.
Enjoy, be safe!

There is something quite sexy about Ducatis.

Awesome, I remember you were telling me how you regretted selling your Duc. Glad you picked one up again, a S2R too! Congrats

Congrats. Beautiful bike. No speeding. Hell ride it like you stole it.

A few years ago a friend of mine could not be talked out of buying a Big Dog cruiser/chopper/ugly-bike. We easily found bikes over six years old with less than 1000 miles on them. That is what we call a clue!
When informed that we were planning to participate in a charity ride up in the Oklahoma panhandle, even the local dealer told my friend "Sir, you do realize that no one really rides these things for real, don't you? They just go to the bar." "Here's my card with my cell number on back: when you get up toward the panhandle and decide you can't stand the bike for even one more mile, call me and I'll send one of the boys up with a trailer, and for a reasonable fee we will tow you back."
He bought the bike, rode it to the panhandle, couldn't move the next morning and missed the 300 mile charity ride. The next morning he was able to turn a five hour ride back home into a nine hour ride. He then managed to sell that oh-so-cool creation about two weeks later, presumably to someone dumber than he.

Now its time to ceramic coat the exhaust

Here is black on the D16Rr and Champange on my 999R

You did the right thing. the Duc is much cheaper less dangerous than a GF.

It's gorgeous. Enjoy!

Service in St.Louis;

I have not had work done by our local Vespa shop, seems it has a rather "odd" reputation. I've been there a few times, it does seem a bit odd, they also gave me a very high price to put on a set of tires. I recently used a shop called "Flying Tiger" in Maplewood on Manchester. For the tire job they said they just charged for labor at an hourly rate, plus I could come in and wait. Cool, old school shop, they sell Royal Enfields and Scooters like the Stella new plus some very cool used bikes for sale. Seem like very nice easy going folks and are rather proud to say they will work on anything. The price seemed reasonable I was charged for 1.5 hours I know I have paid over $100 more for the same job at both Donelsons and Valley Powersports. Wideman, an X-Harley dealer has taken care of my Sportster and have been very good but not sure if they will do Scoots?

Link to a bunch of St. Louis shops ......

http://www.yellowpages.com/saint-louis-mo/motorcycle-dealers

As to low mileage bikes, that is one thing in the USA there are a ton of them. If you take your time, shopping in the winter seems to help too. Over the years I have purchased 2 scooters with less than 1,000 miles on each.

They bailed me out when I was riding my Guzzi across the US. I met the owner at the time, real enthusiast. He'd just gotten back from riding in Australia, I think. I have wanted a Ducati since I saw a Monster years ago and then saw Bostrom win at Mid-Ohio. Nothing sounds like a Ducati on the track.

Congrats, awesome!
I have to admit, if it wasn't excessively expensive to own, I'd pick up a Diavel without a moment's hesitation.

If you hunt around deals can be found. This one was a tad less than 1/2 the cost of a 946, mind you that Vespa IS the new off the showroom floor price. True up keep and insurance are more, my insurance will double but all three bikes will be under $500 total. However, if it looks like a Duc and walks Like a Duc ...........

DrS, Love the pipes, they're brilliant. Worth the price just to be able to look at it in the garage. Well done, sir...

I was checking Cragislist a few months ago and came across a Multistrada 620, Dark. Called the guy and went over just to check it out. Beautiful condition, like new and stock, but with a few very tasteful additions. The owner was very meticulous, just serviced including new tires, belts and valve adjustments, and he had all the service records. I wasn't going to, but I took it for a spin. Big mistake, because I fell in love in just 5 minutes.

The only issue, I had to make a decision. Keep my beloved Yamaha FJR, or sell it and buy the Multistrada. I ran an ad for my FJR that evening and a guy emailed within a couple hours. A few emails later and a deal was struck. I meet him the next afternoon at 4:00 at my Credit Union. He confirmed the condition of my FJR, like new, and a cash transaction followed. I called the Multisrtada guy and meet him at his place at 4:30. Another cash transaction and I was on my way home with my new Multisrtada.

Within 24 hours, I found a bike, test rode it, advertised my bike, sold my bike and brought home the Duc, and I wasn't even in the market for a new bike.

I love this thing. I hope you enjoy your new Duc as much as I enjoy mine.

I like it. Congrats.
Stirs up some urges in me to get a bike. Not telling sharpchick. She would freak.

How about I live vicariously through you, Doctor?

That bike is a beaut. Congrats and have fun!!

I bought a Ducati S4R brand new, put 8000km on it in 1.5 years, had a wow of a time. Bloody quick when I'd finished "tweaking" it a bit too.......
10.51 @ 134 was my best.
I had to sell it to get some cash for the arrival of my little bloke, and while I don't regret that choice, I REALLY miss that bike.

I've been looking at another one now, but something smoother and less violent than a full-house 996, and was looking at the little 695 for myself. I will make another 2into1 race pipe for it, add some intake extensions and a bit of port work, throw on some MX bars, then ride the wheels off the thing! The 2006 model Monster I think is the overall nicest Ducati they built for a long time, and still my favourite.

I reckon you just got the ideal Ducati blend of style, peformance and rideability.
Enjoy!

I certainly did........

Here's mine. You're one up on me, I just have the GTS and the HS.

thats a fun bike to ride, a friend of mine has one just like it. i have an 07 sport classic. great bikes. have fun with it and be carefull, they are a handfull!

Wmak

Odd, this Duc is from/ and still sitting in Kentucky? Y'all must have quite a few ponds to have so many Ducs or maybe a dynasty .....

Actually, we're on the Ohio River, right where the Kentucky River runs into it. Lots of water, lots of great roads between the hills and rivers.

There are many scooters and bikes out there, but nothing stacks up to a Vespa Scoot and a Ducati, except maybe a MV?
Your new bike looks awesome. I noticed that you said you picked it up here in Kentucky. Care to shed some light on where you acquired it?

Going to miss My Pikes Peak

I just dont do long rides anymore when I can fly instead

My Kentucky contact ......

Well I purchased from Gateway Cycles in Mt. Sterling .....

Found the bike on Cycle Trader, I know buying bikes like this is a bit spooky, however, I have had very good luck having done my first buy, in the sight unseen, in like 1998. However, seems there really are just a ton of motorcycles that have very low miles, none that I own ......

Drscooter I'll pick Duc up for yah!

probably a "poser".only rode it 2km to park outside of Starbucks while wearing a power ranger suit and only on sunny and warm days.

and congrats on the new to you bike.

Here's mines!

That's because they get on them...scare the shit out of themselves...and never ride again.

Enjoy the new ride.

Now that's the truth!

this bike has been in the Fam since new
one of a few duc's I have
monza head hogged out with big valves
32mm carb (stock was 24)
hot street cam and spring valves
hi comp pistons
baffleless reverse megaphone

it will do the ton

The Ducati gods smiled on me today. I lucked out and got a guy with an enclosed van to deliver my bike Sunday morning. After the week of the great mid-western blizzard, the sun came out and the temps went up over 50. What a sweet ride, actually feels lighter and the seat is lower than the Vespa. The ride is like a hot knife through butter, kept it at a very moderate pace as we still had patches of snow and the roads had some wet spots. Just an awsome riding bike, it actually feels smaller than the Vespa and the controls are so "light" coming off the 883 Sportster. Best part is my wife took it all in stride, with a simple comment that it was an interesting looking bike.

it.....is.....................drop..dead.............SEXY

Awesome motorcycles in this thread. 8)

I bought my 1000DS in 2004. The Duc and Vespa complement each other very well. Congrats.