YOUR Italian Bike Thread

wpbarlow · 10-21-2009, 06:56 PM

Hard to beleive that Advrider has lasted all this time without an Italian bike thread.

Now we all know that the internet is chock full of pictures of beautiful Italian bikes that any fool can find, cut, and paste or link to with a "I always liked these" or "I always wanted one of these" or "I'm gonna get one of these someday".

But let's leave that for other threads, and post here only pictures of the actual Italian bikes you actually own or have owned. And let us know something about it: such as why you bought it, what you really liked about it, etc..

And naturally I'll start off

I picked this up recently, my 4th Ducati. Always liked the looks, love the story behind it, and how it evolved. I liked that it competed against my favorite bike (RC30) during the earliest World Superbike days. This is a good unmolested runner- not too pristine to actually go out and ride around without worry; and old enough that there's no performance image to try to uphold. They're selling for stupid money and seem a better investment than a CD (more fun too

)

Here's my other Italian; which I've had for almost 7 years.. Just passed 30,000 pretty much uneventfull miles. I went to look at it with little expectation of buying. A 20 minute ride changed my mind. What I liked about it was that it had a very engaging ride and I loved all the human-bike intersection and interaction points- something Aprilia does very well.

So, what'ca got?

Speed King · 10-21-2009, 07:19 PM

anonny · 10-21-2009, 07:51 PM

Bought it new in 74, rode it for about 5 years... let it rust for 30 years.

Total resto 5 years ago with some embellishments.

Now a daily ride

OConnor · 10-21-2009, 08:39 PM

I've always wanted a Ducati, never had the time and money to devote to owning one until now.

This is next on the list, just need to convince a friend to sell it to me.

ScottDill · 10-21-2009, 08:43 PM

This is my one and only Italian two wheeled girlfriend. It is an '03 999s. It is the near one with my brother's 05 999 in the middle and The owner of Desmotimes '03 999s (check out the CF wheels!). It's safe to say we were the only trio of 999's running through Southern Alabama that weekend.

Steve G. · 10-21-2009, 09:13 PM

This is my Laverda Jota. Bought it in 1992, basically it was handed to me on a silver platter, I wasn't really looking for one. I had gotten burned by a terrible Ducati ownership, and had swore myself off of Italia until I rode this beast. The pride of Laverda ownership is deep, and they are an easy machine to live with.
Meeting Mr. Laverda in 2005 and then visiting his estate in 2008 made me realize how special any Laverda is. Their robust build means they last for decades, and their rarity is only put to rest by the numbers of Bimota.
They are big person bikes, with big clutch, throttle, sound presence, visual presence. There is nothing subtle about Laverda's 180 triple.
Many thanks to my good friend Robert Smith for this favourite picture of mine.
I'll try to dig out a picture of my other Italian bike.

Steve

Steve G. · 10-21-2009, 09:24 PM

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...g?t=1256184904

Here's my other Italia. What can you say about Moto Guzzi? Well, This bike really should have continued in some sort of way IMO, as a retro bike that it is. Look at the success of the lovely Ducati classic series, the Triumph Bonnelville series, and you can see that this segment has 'legs'. Moto Guzzi decided instead to go with the Breva, perhaps a better bike, but a sales flop, why??, because it's ugly. This V11 Sport is one of the best selling Guzzi's ever made, Why?? Cause it looks good.

Steve

anonny · 10-22-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve G.

Thats sweet Steve, first time I have seen you show it here. if you ever need to find a new home for it......

Balanzed · 10-22-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scodill

This is my one and only Italian two wheeled girlfriend. It is an '03 999s. It is the near one with my brother's 05 999 in the middle and The owner of Desmotimes '03 999s (check out the CF wheels!). It's safe to say we were the only trio of 999's running through Southern Alabama that weekend.

Just wanted to say

duckman · 10-22-2009, 05:00 AM

Wreckchecker · 10-22-2009, 05:06 AM

The one bike I regret having sold:

It was as reliable as any Honda I've owned and survived killing a suicidal deer.

BCC · 10-28-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scodill

This is my one and only Italian two wheeled girlfriend. It is an '03 999s. It is the near one with my brother's 05 999 in the middle and The owner of Desmotimes '03 999s (check out the CF wheels!). It's safe to say we were the only trio of 999's running through Southern Alabama that weekend.

I realize I'm part of a very small minority, but that's the sweetest looking 9, 10 or 11 Ducati ever produced. Sooner or later, I hope, one will sit beside the HMs. Gawd.

jm-2008 · 04-06-2010, 05:05 AM

BCC · 10-25-2009, 07:16 PM

My wife suprised me with this.

stockport claret · 10-25-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCC

My wife suprised me with this.

Very nice

10-21-2009, 06:56 PM	#1
wpbarlow ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Central NJ Oddometer: 7,891	YOUR Italian Bike Thread Hard to beleive that Advrider has lasted all this time without an Italian bike thread. Now we all know that the internet is chock full of pictures of beautiful Italian bikes that any fool can find, cut, and paste or link to with a "I always liked these" or "I always wanted one of these" or "I'm gonna get one of these someday". But let's leave that for other threads, and post here only pictures of the actual Italian bikes you actually own or have owned. And let us know something about it: such as why you bought it, what you really liked about it, etc.. And naturally I'll start off I picked this up recently, my 4th Ducati. Always liked the looks, love the story behind it, and how it evolved. I liked that it competed against my favorite bike (RC30) during the earliest World Superbike days. This is a good unmolested runner- not too pristine to actually go out and ride around without worry; and old enough that there's no performance image to try to uphold. They're selling for stupid money and seem a better investment than a CD (more fun too ) Here's my other Italian; which I've had for almost 7 years.. Just passed 30,000 pretty much uneventfull miles. I went to look at it with little expectation of buying. A 20 minute ride changed my mind. What I liked about it was that it had a very engaging ride and I loved all the human-bike intersection and interaction points- something Aprilia does very well. So, what'ca got? __________________ Walter Barlow wpbarlow screwed with this post 11-16-2010 at 07:44 AM

10-21-2009, 07:51 PM	#3
anonny What could go wrong? Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Beautiful Revelstoke BC Oddometer: 4,957	Bought it new in 74, rode it for about 5 years... let it rust for 30 years. Total resto 5 years ago with some embellishments. Now a daily ride __________________ Kawasaki H1 build thread 71- 450 Honda CL re & re Just another pathetic sheep following the herd

10-21-2009, 08:39 PM	#4
OConnor Bad juju Joined: May 2004 Location: Midwest Oddometer: 2,605	I've always wanted a Ducati, never had the time and money to devote to owning one until now. This is next on the list, just need to convince a friend to sell it to me. __________________ 2008 GSX1250S 2006 Ducati S2R1000 1974 Honda CB125 2000 Suzuki SV650 race bike 1971 CB175 vintage racer inabox

10-21-2009, 08:43 PM	#5
ScottDill TANSTAAFL Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario Oddometer: 3,020	I'll Play This is my one and only Italian two wheeled girlfriend. It is an '03 999s. It is the near one with my brother's 05 999 in the middle and The owner of Desmotimes '03 999s (check out the CF wheels!). It's safe to say we were the only trio of 999's running through Southern Alabama that weekend. __________________ 2009 DR650 For Sale Ride Reports Poutine Run Da UP Icebergs&Whiskey Tuesdays will never be the same DoD# 1386 - yeah really

10-21-2009, 09:13 PM	#6
Steve G. Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Location: British Columbia Oddometer: 5,914	This is my Laverda Jota. Bought it in 1992, basically it was handed to me on a silver platter, I wasn't really looking for one. I had gotten burned by a terrible Ducati ownership, and had swore myself off of Italia until I rode this beast. The pride of Laverda ownership is deep, and they are an easy machine to live with. Meeting Mr. Laverda in 2005 and then visiting his estate in 2008 made me realize how special any Laverda is. Their robust build means they last for decades, and their rarity is only put to rest by the numbers of Bimota. They are big person bikes, with big clutch, throttle, sound presence, visual presence. There is nothing subtle about Laverda's 180 triple. Many thanks to my good friend Robert Smith for this favourite picture of mine. I'll try to dig out a picture of my other Italian bike. Steve __________________ Garage Residents: '72 Norton 750 Combat, '74 Honda CT70, '74 Norton 850 Interstate, '81 Laverda Jota '89 Honda RC30, '91 BMW R100GS '08 BMW R1200GS

10-21-2009, 07:19 PM	#2
Speed King Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Omaha Oddometer: 1,348

10-21-2009, 09:24 PM	#7
Steve G. Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Location: British Columbia Oddometer: 5,914	http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...g?t=1256184904 Here's my other Italia. What can you say about Moto Guzzi? Well, This bike really should have continued in some sort of way IMO, as a retro bike that it is. Look at the success of the lovely Ducati classic series, the Triumph Bonnelville series, and you can see that this segment has 'legs'. Moto Guzzi decided instead to go with the Breva, perhaps a better bike, but a sales flop, why??, because it's ugly. This V11 Sport is one of the best selling Guzzi's ever made, Why?? Cause it looks good. Steve __________________ Garage Residents: '72 Norton 750 Combat, '74 Honda CT70, '74 Norton 850 Interstate, '81 Laverda Jota '89 Honda RC30, '91 BMW R100GS '08 BMW R1200GS

10-22-2009, 05:00 AM	#10
duckman unindited co consperitor Joined: Feb 2005 Location: new york new york Oddometer: 619	__________________ 2006 Triumph Scrambler 2003 Suzuki Sv1000 N 1987 Ducati 750 Paso "sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc" 'we gladly feast on those who would subdue us'

10-22-2009, 05:06 AM	#11
Wreckchecker Ungeneer to broked stuff. Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Rockville, MD Oddometer: 1,853	St2 The one bike I regret having sold: It was as reliable as any Honda I've owned and survived killing a suicidal deer. __________________ Super Tenere in black AMA, IBA June 2012 Maryland to Alaska: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796138

04-06-2010, 05:05 AM	#13
jm-2008 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2008 Location: South Eastern Australia Oddometer: 314	Three classics in the making

10-25-2009, 07:16 PM	#14
BCC I know better Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Southern NJ Oddometer: 6,646	My wife suprised me with this. __________________ Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects - Will Rogers Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you - Hillel If you can't be knowledgeable, be certain

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