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Thursday, 20 September 2001 |
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Page 1 of 4
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Drooling by Mike Emery ~ Shaky Photos by Nikon CoolPix 990
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Don't Fight Ducati Lust...
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| Supermodels. Your girlfriend. Your wife. You're going to cut them some slack if they have a couple of bad habits. It's funny how the more beautiful they are the more you can forgive them for an indiscretion or three. Hey, if they cheat. They're outta there, but if they're a little possessive you can handle it. Spent a little more on your credit card than they promised? One big smile of those pearly whites and suddenly you can find it in your heart to forgive them. |
| Very much like the 996. She's beautiful, slim and very sexy. She has faults too. Let's list them and move on. The clutch is heavy. The mirrors are plain daft. My butt is being fried and I can't afford it. Did I mention how beautiful she is? |
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Here I am, staring at a 1993 design that looks as fresh today as it did back then. There's more to the Duck than good looks though and that beauty is still more than just skin deep on this latest 2001 Biposto 996. I'm no stranger to this breed, I flirted with a yellow 748 back in 97 and a 95 916 last year. Since the "divine" intervention of the Texas Pacific Group back in 1997 we really have seen the marque go from strength to strength. Quality control and customer satisfaction is deemed a higher priority and it shows.
Now I'm no rich kid, but I honestly believe that this bike should be experienced at least once (or twice) in your motorcycling "career". If there's any way you can beg, steal or borrow the necessary dosh to buy this bike you owe it to yourself and your Karma to do so.
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 I'm getting ahead of myself here. I'm trying to be subjective. It's hard, really. This is just a motorcycle after all... Or is it? One thing that stands out as soon as you start a relationship with your Ducati, is the inability to keep a low profile. Quite simply, you can't. Johnny law, neighbors, and also other bike riders. Even at stop lights, car drivers too are latching on to this bike especially since the branding of Ducati rivals Harley Davidson with merchandising from T-shirts to T cups, Key rings to a full Ducati Corse wardrobe. |
In the Harley way you do find yourself sucked into the Ducati lifestyle. All of a sudden I'm seeking like-minded individuals. I'm buying books about it and actually getting a whole new Ducatisti education. Never a history buff in the past, all of a sudden I want to know all I can about this bike. Where it came from and the people who molded this into what it is that I ride today, and of course, where it's going. It gets worse. All of a sudden Sophia Loren doesn't look as old to me now as she did before. Ciao is my preferred greeting and I'm even bypassing my usual big mug of hot tea for a tiny cup of cappuccino. I need to ride this bike. Evaluate it and move on. Before I'm totally corrupted again! |
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