Ducati GT1000

NAME: Bob Feather
AGE: 49
HEIGHT: 5’ 11”
WEIGHT: That much?
POSITION AT TAM COMMUNICATIONS: Staff Photographer
BEEN RIDING FOR: 27 years
PERSONAL RIDE: 2007 Dyna Super Glide

I want one! This bike is comfortable, fast, nimble, and visually striking. Ducati somehow managed to take a totally vintage vibe and make it work even by today’s standards. I felt immediately at home on the GT and was slashing through apexes like Mike Hailwood (Really? No, not really…) after only five minutes on the bike. In my book there are two V-ttwin motors that have “the sound:” H-D is one, and Ducati is the other. Big, bulky torque band and a sweet top end rush make this bike a great backroad burner. The seat, pegs, and handle bars are spaced appropriately for all day fun yet, not too relaxed for taming the turns. The perfect machine for leaving it all behind to just experience the true joy of riding for the day, unencumbered and unrestrained. If I were in the market for a bike a right now, the GT would on my short list of considerations.

NAME: Jon Langston
AGE: 42
HEIGHT: 5’11’
WEIGHT: 185
POSITION AT TAM: Associate Editor, RoadBike
BEEN RIDING FOR: Three years (on the street -- like 30 on dirt)
PERSONAL RIDE: 1983 Kawasaki KZ 11000 LTD aka “The ‘Saki Bomb”

My time on the GT1000 was limited -- but what an hour-and-a-half long rush it was. Being the lone New York City resident on staff (w/ apologies to Bronx-bred RB ad man Joe Russo and Staff Writer Sam Whitehead, who drives his Benz to the office), I was enlisted to return the bike to the fine folks down at the Ducati/Triumph dealership in Tribeca. And to paraphrase the song by Ol’ Blue Eyes -- if you can ride a bike down there, you can ride a bike pretty much anywhere.
Much like Tricia Szulewski’s initial impressions (see our March issue), I too found the bike a little offsetting at first run on the freeway; I just felt more vulnerable with the upfront, in-your-face riding position and the stripped façade of the bike, as compared to some other rides in the RoadBike stable. It really felt as if I were right up on top of the front wheel, with the hard, ready-to-rash asphalt highway zipping along at 60 mph just a couple of feet under my nose. A rather unsettling sensation in a half-helmet, but I got used to it reasonably quickly by simply keeping my eyes up. The moment I finally cruised into Manhattan was when the up-top posture really came into play. This bike’s made for this city, I decided, as I evaded another multiple lane-changer on the Joe DiMaggio Expressway and pondered the autumn sunset over New Jersey.
Riding in Manhattan’s always an adventure, to be sure, so your best defense is never to get too comfortable, what with all the obstacles that are apt to throw themselves in your way. Complacency is your enemy here (which is good advice should you ever try to move to NYC, btw), and the GT1000 ensures that you will never be too comfy in the saddle, making this Duc ideal for the mean streets of Gotham.
Especially downtown, where the transition from the West Side Highway onto Tribeca’s narrow, cobblestone streets is enough to test even the hardiest rider. The Duc was ready for it, tho; I expected the ride to be far bumpier than it felt, but the suspension really surprised me.
I also enjoyed the envious looks from other Gothamists, who obviously enjoyed the bike’s retro appearance and bare-bones styling. Made for this city, indeed, I thought, as I pulled up to the dealership.
As I backpedaled the little red Duc into a slot at the curb, I had a good mind to go pick up Colleen and just keep on going -- who would know? That right there, my friends, is the telltale sign of a fun bike. Unfortunately, one of the dealership’s loyal and valiant employees was already standing there smiling, palm up. I guess they were expecting me. Bummer. So, with a sigh, I handed over the keys, unzipped the leather, threw my helmet into my backpack, and headed for the subway home.
Man, I can’t wait till Spring …

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