Ya'll don't wanna want to know how little I paid for mine. Being stationed in Italy is awesome. I've been riding since '78 and from the first time I saw the Paso in a magazine, I knew that one day I'd own a Duc. It wasn't 'til my F2 was stolen about a bit more than a-year-and-half ago that I...
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Ya'll don't wanna want to know how little I paid for mine. Being stationed in Italy is awesome. I've been riding since '78 and from the first time I saw the Paso in a magazine, I knew that one day I'd own a Duc. It wasn't 'til my F2 was stolen about a bit more than a-year-and-half ago that I finally said "Tim, it's time". It took nearly a year to get the yellow ST4S in, but it was worth the wait. In my time here in Europe, I've owned 3 bikes, '87 Hurricane, '91 F2 (still got it, it was recovered after 2 days, undamaged :) ), and now my Duc. I put 12K miles on the hurricane in the states and 70K miles here in Europe. I've put nearly 30K miles on the F2 and 6K on the Duc in the 8 months I've had it. Comfort, comfort, comfort. What a sweet ride. I was so used to the riding positions of the the Honda's, which wasn't that bad, that I didn't know what real comfort was. The stock seat doesn't cut it. If you haven't had the opportunity to try a Sargent's, find someone that has one and give it a whirl. Ducati is now selling the Sargent seat in their catalogs here in Europe (500 or so Euro). Power--well, like some I've heard mention, it seemed to lack in the low end but was still a strong machine. So, I got the Teraminione (forget how to spell it) kit. It came with 1 front and 2 rear sprockets (1 down in front, 1 down and 1 up in rear), K&N air filter, race chip, and carbon fiber slip-ons. I've not changed the sprockets yet but what a boost none-the-less. It's louder by far but what a beautiful thump. I also picked up the rear bag and the Bagster tank bra/bag set (yellow of course). Just be glad that the stateside dealers put your luggage together for you because putting on the racks is a major pain. Three of the guys that I know with this bike, had different fit problems than myself. It's strange how something so standard would fit so differently on 4 of the same model bikes. Another item I don't care for is the battery. Doesn't instill much confidence listening to it crank the engine over. I had to leave it sit for a month, in the cold of course, and when I got back to start it up, battery went to weak to fast. Jump start--easy if you've got the plug-in accessories which happens to be on of the few things I didn't purchase. Getting to the battery can be a hassle too. You can get to it without removing all the fairings, but just barely. I actually removed mine with just the lower right fairing removed. It's really tight but can be done. It has to come out to replace the chip. Since I was in there, I went ahead and hardwired some leads for easy jumping. don't know how long the battery is going to last. The most recent thing I've ordered for it is the European light switch which will give me the capability of turning off the headlight for those hard starting days. If you've got the chance to get 'em better do it quick because Italy just went to the headlights on for motorcycles all the time law. I said I wouldn't tell you how much I paid, and I won't, but I will tell you that with all the extras I've put on it, I still paid less the Stateside MSRP. Even with the small annoyances, this is by far the best bike I've owned or ridden. I've got nothing but beautiful curvy mountain roads, one minute from my front door, anyone care to join me. This Ducati is incredible.
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