Picky

Ok guys....on Friday, May 22, Ducati Streetfighter was officially launched for sale in the USA. and Saturday, some dealers were offering demo rides on it.
So, I got a chance to ride it.

What can I say...The bike is mindblowing....killer looks....awesome power.
It is somewhat smaller, very light weight with exceptional handling.

I rode to the Ducati dealership in Connecticut that was 50 miles away.
After completing the paperwork, I was handed the key and the rep described the route that I have to take. The route was on local roads (or "back roads" as they are called here) in the Connecticut countryside. No highway riding. Probably because it was an unescorted test ride. I was disappointed & thinking what's the point of the test ride if you cannot go on the highway on a Ducati. Dude, I was mistaken. More on that later.

The demo model was the top-end Streetfighter S with lots of carbon fiber components making it even lighter than the standard version.
It has one cool new feature....the Engine kill switch covers the Start button in the Off position. You have to turn the Engine kill switch to On to expose the Start to turn on the engine. Kinda like in fighter jets where you have to open the lid to access the missile firing trigger.

So I started the bike... savored the sound coming out of the mufflers. Then started to move.....and I stalled it.... (since I am used to the clutch on my bike, you know the usual excuse)
Anyways, I crept out of the parking lot. They had taped the map of the route on the tank. It was about a total of 20 miles of back roads. and man, it was beautiful. The country roads through the hills, along the river were totally empty & full of twisties with lush green scenery all around. These are the roads where you get to feel the handling of the bike. The bike handled like a charm through the corners & the sharp turns. The guys at the dealership had chosen the perfect route for the test ride. (Later after the ride, I went back further on the route to check out the area. I'll post the pics in the tourer section)


It has a shorter tank than a 1098, so while riding, your chin is almost perpendicular to the handlebar and you can see the road zooming by below you... It almost feels like you are flying 3 feet over the road. It is a different experience if you are used to the faired bikes with windshield.

After about 25 minutes, I rolled back in the parking lot with a grin on my face, exactly like

Here's the video of the start & end of the test ride (Cellpnone video, messed up even further by Youtube)


Here are a few cellphone pics:

























Some pics inside the showroom:









How can I miss my bike:

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pulsater

million thanks for the pics and sharing your experience. what a beautiful and well crafted bike...

PS: your pics are not visible directly on this page. plz check the links again

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Sunny

Super stuff. I have never ridden a Ducati yet. Its high time to see what's the fuss about.

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TnT

WOW

a class apart..

thanks for sharing bro..

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kiran_borra

Wow nice ride experience.. thanks for sharing

By the way excellent pic clarity for a cell phone cam.. Can i ask which cell phone is that

ken cool

Aah! Ducatis, Italians... what more can you ask! Thanks for sharing. Lovey.

There is no fuss. There is only motorcycling! Pure bliss.

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bikerfas

What a ride picky . Thanks for sharing...
wonderful bikes.... and nice pics too... which cam they were taken.

narenr_nair

Sweet Mother of all things gorgeous... I just love the showroom. You would end up tearing apart your hair trying to choose which to ride!! Thanks for sharing your experience!!

Shivanshu

super stuff man...amazing it is....

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rachitkohli

mind boggling stuff there..
was literally feelin freaked out lookin at the machine.. cant imagine to sit & ride it..
btw, which is that red huge Ducati.. with full fairing..

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