Modern Vespa

So in my pre scooter days I was very interested in two wheels, of course being a twenty something year old those were a very fast set of wheels. So had a few sport bikes and then quickly came to the realization they were way too fast and on a fairly short timeline I could be either horribly injured or killed.

So then I transitioned to scooters, and have been having an ball with them. Of course that voice in the back of my mind is calling. I've been buying my Schuberth helmets through Ducat Newport Beach, and when i was just down there buying my latest a particular bike caught my eye. The other day I attended a wedding in Santa Barbara and had a few hours to kill before the ceremony... Low and behold I found myself in the Ducati dealership sitting on the very same bike.

Topic of conversation here is a Ducati Streetfighter 848. I swear that bike was formed around me. The ergonomics of foot placement, arm to bar reach, every single thing just feels good. I ended up going to my local dealer and taking one for a ride and wow...

Granted it is a decent sized displacement, and makes around 130 HP but it was very smooth and very manageable power. I had to fight myself to stop from buying it right there.
So now I come to you MV, granted this is a scooter forum and here I am asking about a motorcycle however we are talking Italian still.

Anyone here have one, have their two cents to put in? I've done research like crazy and know as much data as one would need but I'm really looking for unbiased info which is why I ask here.

Oh and just for giggles here's a pic of the item in question. Gorgeous.

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lovely looking bike


are you sure 130HP is enough though




edit in-- if it fits you perfectly can i ask how tall you are? im 6'1 and bought my first motorbike last weekend but will be looking for more power in a year or two. cheers

130 HP from 849cc... Nice!

Want.

I should never get.

Thankfully this won't be an issue.

C'mon Oz. . . . You can do it!!!!

I bought a bike after learning to ride on my GTS. It is not as powerful as the Ducati but it is a similar style. I like motorcycles and was looking at having one as my first PTW. I don't regret that I eventually chose to ride a Vespa first but I also find that riding a motorcycle requires a slightly different skill set than a scooter. Each has its own characteristics that make their differences pleasurable and I'm able to ride either one to fit my mood or purpose.

I will not sell my vespa, it is just too valuable and functional for me in city. Instead I sold my car last summer. But I like having a bike, too. I'm sure many others have both and enjoy them as well.

Well let's see I'm 6'1 as far as height, and I'd say I have a good size build to me.

I have three scooters, and I won't be selling any of them. This bike would be an additional spot in the stable, likely just another one in the day-to-day rotation and something to go on "fun rides"

I have plenty of fun riding my scooters and certainly use them in ways Piaggio never really intended, they are great fun... I simply want to straddle the line a little bit between MCs and Scoots.

Really I'm looking for some Ducati specific feedback, I've been perusing the Ducati forums but they all seem very biased as if no other bike is worthy of the road, and Duc's are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

The maintenance on a Duc is a bit more intense than a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha sport bike. The valves in particular require quite an elaborate adjusting procedure. Maybe they've improved that, but something to look into further.

That said, I love Ducs. The Hypermotard is what I'd love to have. I love wrenching too, so maintenance isn't a big deal.

-Craig

I've owned many motorcycle, but sadly, never a Ducati. I am, however, a voracious reader of motorcycle publications. Everything I have read about Ducatis in the past few years indicate a much higher level of reliability than ever before, as well as increasingly longer service intervals.

Hope you get it and have a blast!

build up some forearm strength pushups and squeezy hand things


due to the different riding position and heavier clutch

I like the HyperStrada better.

http://rideapart.com/2013/05/see-the-new-ducati-hyperstrada-in-action/

It does of what I need and doesn't break the bank.

Buy it and enjoy it!

One of my dream bikes along with diavel, KTM superduke and husqvarna nuda 900r

Buy it and enjoy it. No regrets.

Have fun!

Would you seriously expect anything else? I have to admit that I've sent too many an admiring glance, okay lingering caress when I've take one of the Aprilia scoots in for service since the dealer is "Italian Superbikes" so there are always Ducs and Aprilias I have to pass to get to the counter. I do not want to linger since that has on occasion resulted in an addition to the garage which has NO MORE ROOM.

You only live once and you can't take things with you on your way out, so buy it and have fun.

My garage is plenty of room left for bikes, and worst case I have a storage unit where I keep my wave runner. My closet on the other hand is getting a tad full of riding gear. Jackets, gloves, helmets, pants, boots... I doubt I can fit a set of leathers in there which is precisely the only thing I would ride the Duc with.

exactly

to.... die.... for....!!!!

Go for it! I have had the Hyperstrada since June, and a Ducati under you is the second best feeling in the world!