The Intro Thread - Introduce yourself!

[van-man]

Welcome to Ducati Pilot.com. This site is my vision, and with great help of good friends and fellow enthusiasts this site was created. Since I first fell in love with the brand, I noticed that one thing Ducati racers were missing more than other brands was the pool of resource knowledge that comes with more commonly raced brands. Ducati racers are often lone wolves in a field of carbon copy japanese hardware.

The mission of this site is to use the power of the internet to bring together Ducati Racers and performance enthusiasts all over the world so that we may learn from each other in how to make our Ducati's perform at their best. Ultimately, helping all of us put these marvels of modern engineering where they belong, on top of the podium!

For racers, by racers - Ducati Pilot.com

[van-man]

My Name is Van, I've been racing for over a decade now, and rode my first ducati around that same time. It made quite an impression on me. I made a promise to myself then, that I would oneday race one of my own.
And man am I glad I did! These things are AMAZING!!! I love the brand, and the people that make the brand what it is.

Currently, I have a M750 and a 1098S and they both fulfill their purpose better than any bike I've ever ridden.
I'm excited to have this place and I look forward to all that I'm going to learn

Van

[DUCKRACER400]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/slaton01/SUN_IMG_29289.jpg


Well there is the Race Duck!!

[markthebike]

Hi guys. Markthebike here from Melbourne. Thanks for the invite Van. Just finished the race prep on my 1098R. I'll post some pics soon.

Cheers,

[van-man]

can't wait to see 'em! Glad you decided to come by.

[markthebike]

can't wait to see 'em! Glad you decided to come by.

Hey Van. Any chance of increasing the font or text size on this Forum? Bit small for my eyes!!

[random hero]

Hey guys.. Im a CMRA guy, race an I-4 suzuki.... looking to change that to an 848 possibly. Anyway, from oklahoma.. I'm a fire fighter and geologist, try to make it to the track as much as possible. Been riding for oh... 8, 9 years I guess. Currently healing up from surgery on my collar bone and hopefully can be fit enough to make at least one more CMRA round this year!

[Mad Modder]

Hi name is Joe, been riding about 11 years now, been trying to find time to race but my job just doesn't allow it so i'm a track whore. just parted out my 1000rr and picked up a aprilia RSVR, but always have been a ducati fan and am trying to score a 749r at the moment.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j300/hardcharger_photos/bike_pics/my%20bike/CP__6580.jpg

[woodyracing]

Howdy folks, I'm Woody and I ride a 695 Monster on the street. Unfortunately I've yet to ride a Ducati on the track but I have done a lot of racing (WERA) on an SV650 and am looking to pick up a new track/street bike.
I'm a Ducati tech at D&D Cycles in Pensacola, FL so I pretty much eat, sleep, & breathe Ducati

site looks awesome Van

[van-man]

Thanks for the compliments bro.
I'm sure most of the guys here will re-affirm, there is just something different about riding a ducati on the track. For me, its fun even when the racing isn't that exciting. Alot of people these days talk about "best racing package" but they leave out what I think is the most important part. Fun! What's gonna make you smile every time you open the throttle? For me its a Duc hands down every time. And when you get them set up right, they are quite leathal in their respective classes.

Oh and :welcome:

[richlundeen@yahoo.com]

Hey guys and gals. Requesting permission to come aboard.

I've been racing off and on road since I was twelve. I haven't raced since 2004, as i've been working with various Iraqi and American military organizations here, and in Guantanamo Bay.

I was the 2003-2004 Mororcycle Roadracing Association Sportsman of the Year, which was a year that my wife was secretary of the MRA. That certainlly had a lot to do with my selection. ;>)

A lot of years of bicycle stuff too:

•Member of TeamJamis/Suncloudin 1994 and 1995.•Member of Mountain Cycle Pro NORBA Downhill Team.•2-Time Qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon.•1993 Minnesota State Duathlon Champion.•Member of K2/ProFlex Pro NORBA Cross Country Mountain Bike Team. •Competed in the 1998 & 1999 Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Championships.•5th Place MRA Heavyweight Solo Endurance Race 2001

Accomplishments
•2002-2003 Motorcycle Roadracing Associaiton(MRA) Sportsman of the YearAward•2002 MRA HeavyweightSuperbikeSolo Endurance Series, 4thPro•2002 Valley Dirt Riders Association Hare Scramble Series, 5th250 Pro•2002 80thAnnual Pikes Peak InternationalHillclimb, 10th250 Pro (highest placing rookie)

Well, one day I'll get home, have my MRA pal Ben Fox build me a nice Duc, and see if I can still get a little speed going again.

Semper Fi

Rich

[van-man]

It'll come back pretty quick, plus it'll be as fun as it was the first time around!
stay cool over there!

[richlundeen@yahoo.com]

Staying cool over here, thanks Van. I get my outside work done in the AM, whenever possible.

[natrona848]

I'm Eric from the Pittsburgh, PA area. I've been street riding for almost 10 years now. I've owned 4 Kawasakis (250, 500 and two 636) and bought my first duc last year. I'm not a racer but I like track days when I got the $ and riding in the mountains of PA, WV and OH.

[van-man]

Cool. Its like a whole different experience flogging that duc around the countryside isn't it?

I had fun breaking my bike in on the street back in 07... too much fun really. :D

[hayden08]

Hi guy's

Jim here from southern minnesota. Been ridding sportbikes now for 16 plus years . Started out on a 600 katana quickly switched to a gsxr600 then to the first liquidcooled gsxr750 then went to ducati in 1999 on a 996s that i still have #007 then bought a yamaha r1 in 2004 hated it and sold it fo a 2007 1098s love it.
I dont race wanted too at one time but the wife wouldnt let me so i got rid of her to. I have been doing track days since 1996. started with team hammer when they use to give you a free track day when you bought a new suzuki. i now like to ride with sportbiketracktime good bunch of guys and a good price and they go to lots of tracks. Just looking to go fast and have fun.
Worked at a suzuki,kawasaki,honda and yamaha bike shop for 12 years running the parts dept. had to leave for more money.
My call sign on here is Hayden08 the year my son was born and the first racer in the familey i hope.
i will post pictures of my rides when i get a chance.

looking for a fellow ducati rider to do trackdays with to share the cost.

I realy like the feel and looks of this site.

[hatchet]

Hey Guys, Richie here from Massachusetts been riding for about 25 years and racing about 6 years but had stop racing for abot 9 years so I started racing again last year,I allways love ducati's I bought my first one in 95 a 916,I race a 748 and a 749S .

[van-man]

Glad you found us! I met a guy today racing a 748 for his first season... I bet you've probably got a wealth of knowledge about making those bikes work :D

[hatchet]

Thanks van, I love racing the 748 I'm finding the 749S not as fun too race but I think I need too get used to racing it,I'm so used of riding the 916 so the 748 feels great too race,

[shenders]

Hey folks - Good looking site! I've been riding for a good portion of my life, but only recently got into Ducatis.

My first Duc was an '03 999 base model. Unlike a lot of folks, I really liked the looks of that bike, and quickly discovered the joys of upgrading, eventually finding and installing a used 'S' motor, Ohlins forks/shock, and a full 54mm equal-length termi. I enjoyed the project, but never got entirely comfortable on the bike, so I sold it.

Last year I acquired a Hypermotard, and have been on a similar upgrade path with it. The bike looks great and fits my 'older guy' ergonomic needs better than the 999, but was a little down on power in stock trim. This issue has been partially addressed with a host of intake and exhaust breathing improvements, a mild porting job, and the DP camshaft kit. I added some 1098 rearsets via custom brackets and a steering damper, and it now serves as a fairly effective track tool.

Sadly, due to work and family commitments my visits to the track nowadays are few and far between. Look forward to reading about other folks exploits.

[van-man]

Awesome! I think you're the first member tracking a hypermotard!! I bet you and the multistrada guys have got some great stories about the strange looks you get from the jap bikes you pass :lol:!

[Steve976]

My name is Steve and I have been racing for about 4 years. I have raced mostly with AHRMA and WERA. I recently put together a 900ss to race in AHRMA Battle of the Twins and WERA's V-7. I stumbled on this site while looking for a shape for an oil drip pan for Frakenduc. I am using SSCR body work so if anybody has any ideas, send them my way. This thing goes to Talladega next weekend!

[van-man]

:welcome:
we've got some air cooled pro's here... check out the race bike thread and hit 'em up I know they got ideas!

[Steve976]

Thanks Van, already posted. Cool site by the way.

[batnthehat]

Hello Everyone, I'm Daniel. Picked up my 1198 a couple of months ago after enjoying my other bike (2009 HD Streetglide), but longing for the adrenaline rush of a sport bike. 1198 solved that problem. Had my first track day a few weeks back and looking to get back as soon as I heal up a bit more from the bruises :)

Looking to get a 748 as a permanent race bike so I don't have to sweat wrecking the 1198 every time I'm on the track!

[van-man]

welcome.
what do you ride?
and what site led you to here if you don't mind me asking?