Thanks Jerry... for the Ducati 848!

Okay, so, I own this Ducati 749 Dark. I love it-  yet I ride it less than I wish to. There are a few reasons for that one being that I've usually another bike in the garage which I’m test reviewing. Another is that I use my KYMCO scooter around town - a lot. The 749 is not an everyday motorcycle – it works well on the track. But then there are its running issues. It’s mostly the computer and immobilizer system. Sometimes it runs, but then at the next turn of the ignition, it doesn't. I’m anxiety stricken when I reach for the ignition key- will it run or will I be stuck here?  Every summer I go back and forth to my special Ducati expert mechanic (GP Bikes) where each time a challenge is resolved until the next one presents itself, usually as early as on the way home. But those are the intricacies of owning a Ducati -though my earlier Ducati’s didn't behave this way; nor did they run controlled by processors. 

On this one particular lovely Saturday, I decided to take it for a good run  so I planned a meet up with a former motorcycle student and friend. Our rendez-vous was at GP Bikes about 45 minutes east of Toronto. The Duc started up and as always when I’m on it, I’m thrilled. I love the way it performs and the rumble in its ride. I was feeling incredibly happy. After arriving at the dealership, and getting our fill of sitting on numerous Ducati’s and Triumph’s - we went outside to get on our way. I turned the key of my Ducati, and … nothing. Nothing happened! Really?, I exclaimed - again! Fortunately I was at the shop – but the day’s ride was a bust. Seeking a solution I thought, let me ask Jerry (owner) of GP Bikes for a demo bike.  Fingers crossed!

I found Jerry in-between customers- it was a usual busy summer Saturday all around the shop. I told him of the situation and before I completed the sentence surrounding my plea, he interrupted me asking...“what would you like… a Monster? Or maybe an 848?” …I was thrilled!

In Ontario, the avail of a demo bike is not a commonality. It’s a challenge for every dealership due to the stringent liabilities and insurances (the ‘SUE factor’ in North America). In Europe, taking any bike out for a test ride, including the one you’re about to purchase- is standard practise. Furthermore, it’s not common in Ontario that a dealership have a ‘demo fleet’ so to speak such as GP Bikes has. But it seems Jerry does; providing a truly impressive investment for customer satisfaction.

Though Jerry is aware of my activities in the motorcycle industry, I’m also just a plain 'ole regular customer. The immediate ‘no questions asked’ assistance extended to me gave me an overwhelming feeling of importance and trust. It had been a long time since I’d had such a terrific customer experience. 

So I signed the waiver, took the 2013 Ducati 848 in matte black,- coincidentally the successor to my discontinued 749-  and off we went. We rode along the Loyalist Parkway which follows a pioneer colonial route bordering the Northern shore of Lake Ontario. The area is full of winery’s and spa retreats and terrifically winding roads. We enjoyed taking a ferry across the lake and of course - I had great pleasure riding the - start every time - 848!

The day was saved by Jerry and GP Bikes, the motorcycle dealership who continue to give me all the reasons to never stop doing business with them. 

Now, about that 848… 

Visit GP Bikes and join them on facebook.

Get Out Your Money Two of Carl Fogarty’s Ducati’s Could be Yours!

If you don’t know who Carl Fogarty is, you probably aren’t into Ducati’s or World superbike racing. He is quite simply.... the legend of World Superbike racing!  Renowned and worshipped his gutsy, aggressive racing style and a determination to win at all costs, that produced four World Superbike titles and a total of eight world crowns! Yes he's known as King Carl!
He was the reason, standing at World Superbike Assen, first right hander after the long straight, where I fell in love with Ducati!
Who knew just a few years later I would be a guest in his pit box, same track with his team mate Troy Corser while they did their warm up laps preparing for the big WSBK race in 1999-his last season exited with another World title!

Okay, so here’s the fast rundown on Carl:

• Carl Fogarty was born on July 1, 1965 in Blackburn and started riding in competitions at the age of 14 before progressing on to the international stage at the age of 23 when he became the Formula 1 TT world champion.
• He is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins
• The Blackburn Rovers (UK football club) fan won four World Superbike Championships in 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999.
• He was renowned for his high corner speed riding style, combined with an aggressive competitiveness, which netted him 59 race victories.
• 1993 was the beginning of his era as a factory Ducati rider. He battled with Scott Russell for the title, winning 11 races to the American's five, but still came second.
• Fogarty was forced to retire from racing in 2000 after a racing incident at Philip Island when he hit privateer Ducati rider Robert Ulm and crashed.
• He suffered multiple injuries, including a serious shoulder injury which failed to heal well enough to allow him to race again.
• In 2002, Ducati released a special limited edition mode in his honour, the Monster S4 Fogarty.

The auction house Bonhams, UK will sell 2 ex-Carl Fogarty Ducati Superbikes at "Important Vintage & Collectors' Motorcycles

International Classic Motorcycle Show", Stafford England on 24 April 2011.

Bonhams is thrilled to offer for sale two Ducati’s associated with four-time World Superbike Champion, Carl Fogarty, both of which are owned by the same private collector in Northern Ireland.

The first is the Ducati 888 Corsa on which Carl won both the Superbike race and the headline event at the North West 200 in 1993, and which subsequently was campaigned by Michael Rutter in the British Superbike Championship. This historic machine was purchased by the current vendor in 2005 and has since been rebuilt by marque specialist John Hackett at Ducati Coventry. Estimate £26,000 – 30,000. (Pic left with NR 4 plate).

The 888 Corsa was reunited with Carl at the Ulster Grand Prix meeting in August 2009 where he rode the second of the two Ducati’s on offer, the 1998 916SPS 'Fogarty Replica'. (picture start grid 1998) This machine, the 2nd off the production line, was given to Carl by the Ducati factory and comes with two authenticating plaques, one of which states that the gift was in recognition of his 'outstanding contribution to the success of Ducati'. The machine retains its original and most appropriate registration number: 'S3 FOG', Carl having won his 3rd Superbike Championship in 1998. Estimate £21,000 – 25,000.

To arrange a free and confidential auction valuation with a view to selling, contact Bonhams Motorcycle division: motorcycles@bonhams.com
+44 (0) 8700 273 616
Check out the rest of the motorcycles in the lot preview that day! Oh what I'll do when the cash starts rolling in!

MOTORCYCLE NEW YEAR WISHES 2009

Someone once said-- the New Year is another chance to “get right” all the stuff you didn’t last year! Lucky us!
Looking forward at this new year, the fact that we're starting off economically challenged, observing more evidence of the not-so-positive reality causes me to recall a true Dutch and practiced value-- “less is more”. I think this “less is more” philosophy just might be the ticket to getting us through the concerns that surround us; prepare us for challenging times ahead. With Ducati not participating in the Canadian Thunder race series this year and cancelling out of BSB (British Superbikes)—Kawasaki announcing its discontinuance in MotoGP (can’t believe that one!) its proving to be a crazy year ahead in motorsport.

There’s such a buzz in the motorcycling industry, among others, reflecting concerns for motorcycling—some say it’s a luxury and will suffer, where others state motorcycling excels in tough times. These questions were put to me during a recent interview for a Clutch and Chrome podcast—how I personally felt it may affect the activity.

Well, we need it. Certainly we’ll elect common sense, caution and may not opt for that 2009 model upgrade or the new Akrapovic exhaust (darn!). Perhaps try to get another year out of our riding suit, even though we’d love a gear fashion upgrade. It’s my opinion we'll continue to enjoy our riding—its really our survival outlet and there’s no better way to get away from it all than when riding, absorbed, focused by the road.

Indeed a ride costs a bit of gas expense (thank goodness for the drop in gas prices!) and even if our rides might need to be shorter, our track days fewer, knowing that motorcycling is part of our life, seeing our bike standing in the garage or the driveway is a great inspiration of escape.

I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s the simple sensation--
the “less” that gives us all that “more”.

Best wishes to you and yours for a most joyful and healthy New Year!
May you continue to ride along the road of your dreams in 2009!
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And remember you’re the one steering!

Montreal Moto Show

Last week at this time, I departed for home from the 3 day Montréal Moto Show. What a delight to experience the moto culture of Canada’s French city from the very busy Ducati stand. Not much different from the Toronto shows—I did sense a greater attendance and appeared, to me, there were far more females—female riders. I did expect this as Montréal has a greater rider populace.

One of the major highlights for me was meeting my Ducati 1098S for the first time—to actually climb on board. Exciting! He has that Ducati fit and feel and now, most anxiously I want to ride! A few more weeks and I’ll have delivery.

The show shared three days of great atmosphere, super pleasant people who spoke English most willingly (I did do my best to speak French) --familiar industry faces and a Sushi restaurant in the congress centre for lunch each day!
Yet one thing that’s left me puzzled — during Saturday breakfast, I was reading the Montreal Gazette newspaper (English) I came across the advert for the very moto show I was working. Within this advert, within the ad itself, bottom right hand section, a notation, stating that there will be two blood donor clinics so please donate. How strange. In the midst of promoting motorcycling, the start of season 2007 —spring around the corner and here an ad, a plea for blood donors. I think you’re with me on this one—odd ja? How can we affect the image of motorcycling while we have Canada’s show leaders / organisations allowing such an association with the activity we are so passionate about? What’s next? Funeral service promotions? I understand the logic and admittedly, I’m a realist so I get it—but come on-- is this appropriate? Picture this, family breakfast “hey honey lets go to the motorcycle show---oh, but wait a minute, give blood? Hmm, let’s go to the movie matinee with the kids instead”. Motorcyclists accept higher risk factors that go with riding—we do pay attention when we hear of bike accidents--learn from others theory. Perhaps we are more sympathetic, hence quicker to part with our haemoglobin. Was that the intent of this association? Are they playing on our empathy—our camaraderie? I sit on the fence on this one. Nonetheless, the show hosted happy, energetic attendees awaiting the end of winter to roll out on to the streets and ride.