Ducati Scrambler and other things Ducati

[Tetge]

You are forgiven

But, there is nothing to forgive. I merely have told it like it is. KTM is ready to race, and this has to be true, because they advertise this, and, they would not lie in advertising. Ducati is not ready to race. And, that is also true, since Ducati advertises that they have lots of accessories for their bikes, including the Scrambler, but, they never say that they are ready to race. This is not to say that there are not racing Ducati's, as there clearly are, including factory teams. But, they are beyond costly and not really production street machines for the masses. But, even the lowliest KTM, at a price that any fool can afford, is certified ready to race as delivered. Obviously very serious iron for serious players.

So, I just stick to the facts and paint an unbiased picture of the realities of the situation. I also have to point out that KTM dealers will sell to anyone and they do not screen buyers to insure that the buyer is ready to race also. Hence, I was able to get a 690 Duke. I am not sure if they would have allowed me to get a 1290R Super Duke as it clearly would be way too much for me. Dealers care, and they look out for their customers because they say that they do, and, they wouldn't lie.

[jhwalker]

jibba jabba jabba. more interesting is that I returned to the (formerly) civil ducati scrambler forum after fighting my way thru the most stringent password requirements I have ever seen (far harder than my financial institution passwords) to find that former forum guru is being labeled a fraud, and has I gone into hiding -- not even a token defense Rexxer is being challenged... I bought it already --- and people are demanding proof for loud improbable statements. Seems like an improvement...

[Tetge]

jibba jabba jabba. more interesting is that I returned to the (formerly) civil ducati scrambler forum after fighting my way thru the most stringent password requirements I have ever seen (far harder than my financial institution passwords) to find that former forum guru is being labeled a fraud, and has I gone into hiding -- not even a token defense Rexxer is being challenged... I bought it already --- and people are demanding proof for loud improbable statements. Seems like an improvement...

It seems to happen all the times with brand specific message boards and clubs and the like. People fall from grace and even abscond with the funds of others at times. It happens so regularly that it must be part of the game. And, even if some are not absolute crooks, there are a lot of marginal players who try to cash in with products that may not be all that they are stated to be.

This is, in fact, one of the reasons that I purchased a KTM, as it was ready to race, so I knew that absolutely no mods would be required. But, I can't ride it since it is over 105* today and it is forecast to get even warmer between now and the Fourth of July. I really can not remember a protracted heat wave such as the current one, this early in the year. In fact, the number of contiguous 100*+ days may be setting a record. So, it is not motorcycle riding weather, especially since the KTM does not like the heat at all. Naturally, it would be fine at a race course as it does OK if it keeps moving. But, the temp gauge goes up very quickly in town, at stop lights and in heavy traffic, and the heat off the engine and exhaust system roasts my right leg to medium rare. But, I am not complaining as no one ever alleged that a ready to race machine would be the height of civilized comfort.

Funny, someone hacked the KTM board, and we in the past couple of weeks we all had to change to at least a 10 digit password and use all the usual various upper and lower case and number and symbols. And, they now say that they are going to force us to change passwords on a regular basis. It seems that member information was compromised as usual.

[jhwalker]

Terri is flying to the US for 'meetings' -- aka take a break from taking care of me... so I am ordering
http://www.evotech-performance.com/duca ... 15-onwards -- and she will carry it back in her luggage so I can have something to work on while getting "ok to ride". I am also going to try to convert the wheels to tubeless as another project. That kit is here...
I have another long,difficult vision test next Saturday as part of trying to get clearance to drive. Getting medical clearance is a defensive move for insurance purposes.
I have the REXXER ecu mod stuff here, but am afraid to try to do that kind of work on the bike right now (meow)

I'm going to pump the mtn bike tires. I can't stall forever. Gotta ride someday.
I worked out like a fiend Monday and felt great doing it -- then the effects kicked in overnight and I could barely move Tuesday. More or less stayed off my feet.
Yes, A stupid move , but I am so tired of not being me it makes me want to hurt myself. In 3 days it will have been 6 months since I blew up. I have regained a lot of strength in the left leg and left arm but the fine motor skills are still pathetic. My writing still looks like a seismograph during a 6.9 quake.
My vision sucks waa waa waa
I'll keep pounding.

[Tetge]

I'm going to pump the mtn bike tires. I can't stall forever. Gotta ride someday...........I have regained a lot of strength in the left leg and left arm but the fine motor skills are still pathetic......

I suggest a smooth surface and training wheels. No sense in doing a face plant off your moutain bike as I can see no way that this could in any way benefit your rehab program. And, I am being serious, as the very fortunate get to run on wet slid pads using motorcycles with leaning training wheels so that they can explore the edges of slippery handling without the risks involved in laying it down. Even better would be to use a stationary bicycle on rollers that is secured somehow. I have seen them warming up at the various tours, so I know that this is possible.

I also assume that they are using all the usual suspects with you such as giant rubber balls to stand on and improve balance, that no one can stand on even with perfect balance. So, you would know when your motor skills were up to riding two wheels.

I'd write more sense, but, I have to go defile your Ducati thread.

Edit: Wait a second, I have already defiled your Ducati thread. And, I didn't even know that I was logged on, which is no surprise these days.

[Tetge]

4th of July in the land of the free and still a heat wave stretching way back into June. I know that it the land of the free since, for the past couple of weeks, up to at least 1 AM in the morning there have been loud explosions from various directions. And, last night, the pace and number of explosions at an increased number of sites unknown, increased. So, in spite of strict rules prohibiting fireworks other than the pitiful safe and sane variety, and in spite of genuine fire risks enhanced by the long drought and hot weather, here in the land of the free, rules can be disregarded with impunity. Just jump in the fully tinted out ride, shoot over to some store, buy cases of beer, head home, fire up the BBQ, deploy the pyrotechnics for later, load up the automatic for happy shooting, and celebrate Independence Day.

I also got up early and took my European motorcycle out for a spin. But, holiday traffic and potential drunks and enforcement with attitude and, most of all, the damned 100* heat, discouraged me. A ride will have to wait, but, the bike does need to be exercised. I did visually inspect it and pump up the tires and clean the mirrors, so it is ready to roll.

Funny, I used to ride more on my DR-Z, before I got the KTM. But, I guess that I can't handle the more powerful bike as it is too intimidating? Some days I think that I should get an old Norton, or some other slow bike, and just cruise around. As little as I ride in my old age, a Norton, for instance, might last an entire season of up to 2000 miles before it needed to be torn down and completely rebuilt.

[jhwalker]

hmmm... more spoor in my precious Ducati thread. smells like a homeless person.

[jhwalker]

now for some Ducati news, Terri returned from LA with my engine guard in her suitcase and got the greenlight in customs. I will try to install it with only 1 usable hand. `
http://www.evotech-performance.com/duca ... 15-onwards

[Tetge]

now for some Ducati news, Terri returned from LA with my engine guard in her suitcase and got the greenlight in customs. I will try to install it with only 1 usable hand. `
http://www.evotech-performance.com/duca ... 15-onwards

Hard to start nuts and bolts with one hand and washers are hard to put on at times. I know this due to my dead right hand.

Also, I have located a nice pic of what you need with a patriotic flag in the background and attached a couple of pics. Your safety is the main concern so a little insurance at first can't hurt....... Those wheels in the top pic don't look too sturdy so it might be a joke. But, they definitely sell serious ones for added stability assistance.

[jhwalker]

Hey, thanks!!! my balance is not so great. I'm using the trampoline and have hit the car flying into/onto it.