I have a 1998 Ducati 900SS.
This is "Desdemona". She's been in the family for about 10 years now. First purchased by my husband as a bit of a reward to himself for making Turbine pilot in the time frame he'd given himself. It was also a childhood dream I think for him.
Before his accident, we were discussing getting me a bigger bike (than the 125cc scooter I also have, I'll show it in a moment.) so we could do some touring together. It was a bit hard for him trying to stay with me when we rode out together and the scooters tiny wheels just are not really suitable for long distance riding out here.
After the accident, I was thinking about how I should upgrade my motorbike licence (as I was under the impression that I was only able to ride 125cc but that was not the case as it turned out.) and what I should ride to do that. Taking one look at the bike parked under the house made me realise that I was probably more than capable of riding it. So, a close friend (who has an ST4) took me out to the airport on the Duke and got me going. I was soon racing up and down the strip no problems I can tell you!!
Since then, I've been on a National Ducati rally to Bathurst, that was just pure awesome riding around Mt Panorama I can tell you! I've ridden out with the local Harley guys, they don't mind a chick riding a sports bike and can at least appreciate fine engineering! I've fixed the leaking fuel tank that had been bodgyed up by Mark previously! I only had some help with that job in the form of muscle, everything else I did! Had a new clutch installed that just made a huge difference to my riding and had a faulty thermocouple fixed that was stalling the bike when up at temp.
We originally purchased this bike from Ducati Noosa, it was second hand with only about 30 thousand kays on it. It now just has over 70 thousand. I always take the bike back to them for servicing as they have always looked after us and the bike and now that they know about Mark, I am convinced that I am getting very well cared for, me and my bike.
I don't think I will ever get rid of the Duke. It has too many memories as what it meant to Mark and I've now had a whole new set of my own created by her. Also, seeing as they don't make the Supersport any longer, her value will only increase over time.
Whilst not the most perfect example out there, she sports some battle wounds that were done in low speed gravel loses done by Mark around work (he didn't ride it out there unless he really had too.) though I suspect some were not just low speed, she has been a reliable machine that you can just jump on and ride. Hence why Mark went with the newer electronic ignition and fuel injected bike as he didn't want to be fixing it all the time before he went out for a ride! He just wanted to be able to get on and ride!
I swear...there truly is nothing like cornering on this machine. While it just hums along on the straights, when you get to the twisty bits, you just relax into the awesomeness that is this machine going from corner to corner. I sure haven't had it over as far as some would, I'm still learning that skill, but what I have done is just a fantastic feeling.
Totally agree, Dan, two wheels do move the soul...
After all that...I'll show the other ride later...
