After 72,000 miles I traded my ST2 in for a 2007 Multistrada 1100S.  I loved the ST2 and had a lot of go fast and other work done to it over the years.  But, as I get older, my legs have started to get Restless Leg Syndrome or some such annoying and painful physical symptoms.  I concluded that it was due to the high rearsets and began thinking about a replacement about a year ago.  I actually test rode a Multi in 2004 but found that at higher speeds, (90+), the buffeting around my helmet was a show stopper and I wasn't really in the market for a new bike anyway.  However, I did conclude that it would be on my short list when the time came for a new ride!

As the 2007 CST approached the thought of 500+ mile days on the ST2 began to eat at me and I began the in-house campaign to replace my old standby.  My wife is really a great partner and supported the purchase with a minimum of fuss. 

On June 16th I was invited to help lead Ducati Days Demo rides as part of the Loudon Road Racing Classic.  The Big Red Ducati Truck was parked inside the Paddock at NHIS and they had about 15 bikes for riders to test.  I got to ride most of the products in the Ducati line including the new Multistrada 1100S.  I loved the way it handled and put power to the road.  And was pretty sure the buffeting issue had been sorted out.

On June 19th I headed down to Seacoast Sport Cycle where they had a demo 1100s ready for me to test.  I took it for a couple of hours and confirmed that the new windscreen was perfect.  I got an inclination of what the upgraded Ohlins Suspension did for the handling and was really pleased with the torque and acceleration as well as having a bit more top end than my ST2.  All that was left was to beg Seacoast to take pity on me, get me a fair price on the ST2 for trade, and order the side bags and centerstand.  Jim, Charles, Pat and Paul all worked on getting the price and the paperwork sorted out and at 4:00 I rode out on the new bike after saying farewell to the ST2.

I have put over 6000 miles on since picking her up and am really thrilled.  In spite of a harder, narrower seat, she's more comfortable that the ST2.  Way more fun in the twisties.  And with a two year, unlimited mileage warranty, should cost me less as well!

The sidebags and centerstand came in this week and these pictures show it in all configurations.  Man, that tailbag is sweet.  Easy on, easy off, and will hold two helmets or a weeks worth of groceries.  Well, a couple days anyway! 

As far as other mods go, my current thinking is to leave well enough alone.  I don't need more power and after years of the very sweet (but very loud) tone of the ST2s LeoVinci and other slip on's, I have gotten kind of comfortable with the peace and quiet of the Strada!  So, we'll see how long the initial purchase price inoculation keeps the mod fever at bay!!!

I rode the 2007 CST to the Gaspe and Cape Breton on the Strada. At about 5000 miles the rear tire was cooked.  Other than that, it was a great partner on this ride.  I was much more comfortable than on the ST2 and am very pleased overall with the upgrade!  I discovered that I do give up a little more clearance with the center stand but I can live with that in exchange for the comfort.  The bags worked great and I had some fun on the Atlantic Motorsports Road Racing course in Nova Scotia.  Pics posted now in PhotoGallery.  Detailed trip report to follow!

My OLD street bike was a well worn 2000 Ducati ST2.  Here is a picture right after I traded my Honda Blackbird for the ST2.  I had just gotten it home and had only begun to dream about the possibilities!  At this point, everything is stock.  I purchased this from Naults Ducati in Manchester.  Among other things, Ducati was offering a deal where the first two years of service were included...up to 12,000 miles.  I don't think they expected anyone to actually put that many miles on in 2 years...let alone in the one year it took me! The base ST2 is a 944cc, 2 Valve V-Twin.  It probably puts out less than 80 hp in stock configuration.   Top speed, with bags is no more than 130mph.  One of the reasons I purchased this was to try and modify the behavior of the Local Enforcement Officers (LEOS) who seemed determined to put my license in peril as long as I was riding the BlackBird! 

I didn't have the ST2 very long before I started 'enhancing' it with various bits of performance add ons and some pure 'bling'.  (Bling in Ducati terms is primarily Carbon Fiber!)  I added several pieces of this exotic material and changed the exhaust to Carbon Fiber cans as well. At the same time I had the ECU replaced. (A computer chip that control the air/fuel mixture as well as other stuff I don't understand) A Corbin 'GunSlinger' seat completed this round of enhancements.

The winter of 2002/2003 I left the Duc at Naults where Kyle built out the motor with a 966 kit, rings, pistons, etc.  and had the heads ported by Bruce Myers himself.  We also had to change the ECU again. Kyle is a fantastic Ducati Tech trained by Bruce Myers from BCM and now back working for Leslie Grossman.  In fact, it is probably not an exaggeration to suggest that at least one reason Naults sold their Ducati franchise was because Kyle left.

I have been riding the ST2 an average of 12k miles a year and have over 65,000 miles logged as of August 2006.  It's been crashed at the track and dropped on the street. The motor is strong and suspension better than a Sport Tour should be!  The body is cracked and rashed and held together with duct tape in spots. My intent is to ride it to 100k miles and then consider trading it as a low mileage model!!! 

I have done several trips to the Canada (see Rides and Trip Reports) and a few track days.  Indeed, it was aboard the ST2 that I received my nicname! (See Why BATMAN )

My Track Bike is a 1999 Ducati 750 Super Sport.   I purchased as a street bike mid summer of 2005 specifically to create a track bike that would allow me to learn to ride faster and maybe to race. This is the only picture I have of it before the main conversion started! 

The day after I purchased it I took it to Kyle who stripped off all the 'street' stuff like lights, plate holders, speedometer, etc. He also removed the stock exhaust and installed a similar, but 'high mount' system designed to provide additional lean angle clearance. This was to prep the bike for 4 days on the track at Grattan Raceway, in Belding Michigan.  

By now the 'BatMan' 'theme' was already well established and it was at Grattan that I first met Nate from Frosty's Finishes.  He was a huge help getting me to simplify my ideas to arrive at the final design. We ordered the Sharkskins and I dropped the bike off with Nate after Grattan.  He had it painted and delivered to BCM to have the wheels replaced with light weight Marvic Penta rims.  The photo on the right is a good shot of the paint job and showing the new high mount exhaust.

The newly painted BatBike looked great and I was able to ride it for three more track days at VIR in November. The wheels made a huge difference in handling and we had an awesome time at VIR.  (See VIR Trip Report!) Here is a favorite picture of me being chased by Aaron Stevenson of Cornerspeed.  Although it looks like he has his hand on his hips and having a hard time staying awake, he actually does have his hand on the throttle! 

Between Grattan and VIR I had lots of discussion with Nate, Eric, Doug, Kyle, Gil and Jim about future enhancements to the Batbike.  By the end of the season I had decided to have BCM build out the motor with a 795 kit and have the heads ported. I had also been convinced to wait on the custom Doug Cook 'in frame/underseat' exhaust until I crashed and actually needed to replace new system I had installed for Grattan.  When I returned from VIR I dropped the bike off at BCM to have them work their magic.  Over the winter the bike was transformed into the current fun time machine!  Bored, ported and yes, through a communication breakdown, the custom, in frame, under seat exhaust was installed too.  (Here's a picture showing, (or maybe not showing!), the Doug Cook exhaust.)  No regrets, it looks great and runs as good as it looks. 

I broke it in at a BCM Track day in April of 2006 and rode it hard at track days at Summit Point and Grattan. 

My friend Jim Warenda caught me relaxing at the Jefferson course at Summit Point.  This was a NESBA track day and Jim and I had an awesome time.  I also got bumped from Beginner to Intermediate at this event! 

On Labor Day weekend, 2006, I finally went to the Penguin Road Racing School, ran my Rookie Race and most of my first race as a Novice! It was a great experience and to read all the details point to Penguin School.

Honda Blackbird -

I just came across this old picture of my Blackbird.  In 1997 this was the fastest production motorcycle you could buy with an off the shelf top speed of about 178mph.  In 1998 or 1999 Suzuki introduced the Hyabusa with a top speed of 180mph.  That represented the end of the manufacturers production competition to be fastest because of laws passed in Europe limiting the top speed.  I had a lot of fun on this bike.  I had Corbin Beetle Bags and Gunfighter seat, Heli Bars, Carbon Fiber slip-ons and aftermarket wheels and it made for a really fast Sport Tour ride!  Seeing this picture I sort of miss it!