Duc Truck test rides at Pro Italia

PhilB · 09-24-2007, 03:02 PM

I rode up to Glendale (from San Diego) yesterday for the Pro Italia open house and Duc Truck test rides. Most of the events happened on Saturday, but I decided to go Sunday because I had another plan for Saturday, and because I thought I'd have a better chance at getting on the test rides. I was right about that; not only were the crowds bigger, but it also rained there on Saturday and about half the test rides were cancelled. Sunday the weather was great.

First the disappointment: no 1098. I understand why they didn't; they have decided not to pull any off the line for test rides as long as there are customers who have paid money and not yet gotten their bikes. That's fair. But the publicity stuff for the event did list it, so it was disappointing not to have the chance. I did get two test rides; they had a 20 mile loop that was not bad with some surface streets, a bit of canyon, and a bit of freeway.

I rode a SportClassic GT1000 on my first test ride. One interesting thing about it was how little different it felt from my Monster. Yeah, the handling and balance were a little different, but not better or worse. The DS1000 engine feels noticeably stronger than my 900, but not by a huge amount. It was fun to have the tachometer and get to correlate reading with the engine feel, since my Monster is of the very early group that didn't have tachometers.

I rode a HyperMotard on the second test ride. I liked this a lot better than I thought I was going to. I had been kind of apprehensive about the height, but it wasn't as bad as it looks. I was able to put the balls of my feet down on both sides, so no tippiness or sliding off was required. The riding position is quite different. On the Monster, you are sitting behind the engine; on the HyperMotard, you are perched on top of the engine, a few inches higher and several inches forward. This contributes to more weight on, and a much more planted feel for, the front end, which felt good. The 1100 is another step up from the DS1000, so it did feel a lot stronger than my 900. This is a cool bike. It still doesn't really grab me aesthetically (although it's a bazillion times better than the MultiStrada), but it works great.

PhilB

DucCarlos · 09-24-2007, 04:41 PM

A friend that owns the Hyperretard says that it's like riding in a IMAx theater.

Gregor · 09-24-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DucCarlos

A friend that owns the Hyperretard says that it's like riding in a IMAx theater.

That doesn't make sense. Where do all the seats go?

PhilB · 09-24-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DucCarlos

A friend that owns the Hyperretard says that it's like riding in a IMAx theater.

Yeah, it is kind of like that. You're perched high and forward, and you can feel the bike beneath you but you pretty much don't see it. The instruments and mirrors are at your lower peripheral vision, and the world is in your face.

PhilB

cherub_rock · 09-25-2007, 12:34 AM

nice write up; thanks.

Cyrus Buelton · 09-25-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregor

That doesn't make sense. Where do all the seats go?

you coming over to coastalducaticlub.org?

Gregor · 09-25-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus Buelton

you coming over to coastalducaticlub.org?

On my way...since I got the shirt, and all.

Red Baron · 09-26-2007, 12:38 AM

Nice meetin you Phil, looking forward to more meetings when I move to Del Mar.

thumpertwin · 09-28-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregor

That doesn't make sense. Where do all the seats go?

They go up your ass you stupid idiot

PhilB · 10-03-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumpertwin

They go up your ass you stupid idiot

What's up with you? Show up and post a bunch of lame insults with no content. Good job; nice to meet you, too.

Gregor's post was a joke, and was actually funny. Google "humor" sometime and see if you get any info on the subject.

PhilB

Pakhan · 10-03-2007, 09:40 AM

Nice write up Phil, but I still think I'm gonna keep my monster and eventually get a 749.

BTW I thought you were moving to NH or VT to form a more perfect union? Did I already ask this and forget the answer?

DucCarlos · 10-03-2007, 12:22 PM

You are very forgetful.

Pakhan · 10-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DucCarlos

You are very forgetful.

Yes.

PhilB · 10-05-2007, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pakhan

Nice write up Phil, but I still think I'm gonna keep my monster and eventually get a 749.

BTW I thought you were moving to NH or VT to form a more perfect union? Did I already ask this and forget the answer?

It's NH, and we haven't gone yet. We have committed to move by the end of 2008, so that's our deadline. We're trying to grow my wife's business as large and sound as possible before we go, since the intent is for that to be our family support after the move.

I will start jobhunting back there in February.

Yeah, I'm keeping my Monster also, and would love to get a 748 or 998 at some point, and maybe a good old ST2 for touring with the wifey. But additional, not instead of. The Hypermotard was very cool, but I don't like all the electronics that modern bikes are going toward.

PhilB

Pakhan · 10-05-2007, 10:46 AM

Goodluck Phil.

The ST2 is a nice touring bike but my favorite touring bikes have to be the BMW r1200gs or r1200rt. I think they provide a more comfortable ride. Unfortunately they have much more electronics on those BMWs bikes than most, which might not be what you want.