I'm back.

Yes, they let me back in the country.

New York rocks - the place is simply amazing. I took
up most of the suggestions on the group (the ones that
were physically possible) and have to say we had a
great time.

Dr Grainger is a jammy **** with his job, so more
power to his elbow.

I also won the auction(s) for the remaining unbroken
red bits I needed, so I'll be back on the road shortly...

 

This:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=

Then:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=

Pics:
http://horrible.demon.co.uk/rockingham/
(you can see the dent in the tank if you look close enough)

 

It's a great city.

Ah - so it wasn't your bike I spied zooming towards the M11 on the A406
on Saturday. Looked like your riding style from a distance.

 

Paul Corfield says...

On its side spewing fluids.

 

He crashed.

Duh ;-)

 

Heh. Bad Lozzo.

 

You managed to meet up - good work!

 

v. cute. Not a big-nosed freak.

 

I dunno. I was drunk.

 

Noses don't grow until around puberty. I had a cute nose whem I was
little.

 

Actually I was - you can see I was going faster by the greater
lean angle of mine compared to his. I think, anyway!

Those left-handers at Rockingham are lovely and so, so fast if
you get them right. I was going past about 5 people round there
every single lap

I don't know if the 749/999 are any worse - they certainly have
moved the bike on a lot since the original 916, but then the bikes
have all slowly evolved over time and the later 998 bike is very
different to the early 916 anyway.

The 999 isn't that different to the 998 it replaced if you look
closely and strip away the fairing. Again it's a case of subtle
revisions in the way things have been done previously to make
them better, but this time they've stuck new clothes on it.

Everyone who rides the 999 style says it's a lot *easier* to ride
than the 916 style as Ducati have changed the riding position and
then made everything adjustable. But the best thing you can do to
a 916 is to take the pegs out of the handlebars to rotate the
levers into a more comfortable position and fit a set of adjustable
rearsets to help make it more comfortable to ride.

The design is growing on me, especially with the latest incarnation
of it, and the 2004 749R is just stunning to look at with all it's
carbon and Ohlins and dodgy welding on the tank, but it's still not
enough to make me go out and buy one. Yet.

 

Yeah, had a great chat over a meal at the Odeon restaurant
at 145 W Broadway which I would recommend to anyone going
to or in NY.

Baby Ellen is very cute, and obviously gets the right bits
from both parents!

 

Claire's brains, and Will's preference for having his dribble wiped by
a doting female?

 

Bear says...

I love the old 916/748 shape, but a mate of mine has bought a matt black
749 and it is absolutely fucking gorgeous. I think the matt black one is
the entry level bike, is that right?

 

Yes, and I agree completely as it looks very, very nice.

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2005/ducatiModel.jhtml?family=superbike&modelName=749D-05

It's the 749 Dark and has hardly any decent parts on it
- standard Sachs shock and Showa forks, no dampener and
no option for single seat. However, take one of these
at 7495 list (so under 7 grand to you) and throw some
Ohlins at it and I reckon it would be superb for the
money.

This would be my choice of any of them, or the 749R
and get it painted black.

Ducati seem to listen to their punters and as of next
year they are selling black 999S models, but again
without the option of a single seat for some reason.

However, it's glossy black and not matt black, so it
really doesn't look as good as the stealthy matt black
749 imho.

 

antonye says...

I wouldn't buy one though. With my experience and age I can afford to
insure a Gixxer thou, which I can buy cheaper than the 749, without
having to resort to asking for trade discounts. The 749 just doesn't
make sense when I look at it that way.

 

Heh, not quite but they are bringing out the Desmosedici RR...
http://www.ducati.com/racing/home_news_popup.jhtml;?newsId=21015

 

" "

 

Cute.

Not got my nose. But got my cheeks.

 

Now, had you said "I had a big nose, so grew my hair as a distraction",
I'd have believed you...