Hello all, I’m sorry its been awhile since I’ve written. I had been busy the last few months as both a professional photographer and part-time professor at Seattle Central Community College. Anyhow, just a quick update, I’ve sold the Desmosedici to Bill Mitchell, a collector in Montgomery, Alabama. Bill is a great guy with an incredible collection of exotic sportscars and motorcycles. His climate controlled garage is only rivaled by the likes of Jay Leno’s Garage. I hope to someday travel to Alabama to see Bill’s collection and also check out the elaborate motorcycle museum at Barber Motorsports Park.

I’m still riding the Ducati 848 so keep checking back this year for more Ducati updates. Happy New Year!!

Last weekend I went on a group ride with some members of the DesmoNorthwest Ducati Riders Club from Seattle out to the backroads of Carnation, Duvall, and Sultan, WA. It was a ride to break-in a brand new bike – a Ducati StreetFighter-S – one of the members (Bong) just recently purchased. On this ride, I had the lucky chance to test ride the StreetFighter and am very impressed with its powerful, yet smooth motor. It’s more relaxed riding position makes touring the backcountry and long rides very comfortable. The S model has traction control. On level 3 setting, it almost acts as a sort of launch control. You can give it a lot of gas but it’s not wheelie-prone like a standard 1098. I like the looks of this bike. It’s similar to the 1098 without the front fairings and windshield but given some aggresive front and rear end styling. It’s exhaust exits out the right side instead of under the seat like a 1098. No more do your buns have to cook while stuck in traffic. Above is a picture of me sitting on the bike. Photo courtesy of Bong from DesmoNorthwest.com.

Last weekend, Ducati Seattle had their annual free dyno weekend and I took the 848 in to see what numbers it would put out. Click on the image below to see a larger version.

Here are the results:

HP (SAE) 110.7
Torque (SAE) 59.8

The technician who ran the dyno said it was the highest numbers he has seen for a purely stock 848.

It was a beautiful evening in Seattle for a ride out to Issaquah to meet up with the DesmoNorthwest Ducati Club. We met up at the XXX Rootbeer Drive-In. They must call it the XXX because the portions they serve there are XXXL. They seemed to have burgers with the circumference of small pizzas and their smallest pop was 32 ounces! You definately won’t be leaving that place hungry.

Tonight’s meetup was the first of 2009.

Pix are below.

Ducati recently posted this informative .pdf document on their website about the Ducati Traction Control found on the 1098R, 1198S, and Streetfighter S models.

Check it out here.

Check out Nicky Hayden’s newly redesigned website here. Gone are the Repsol Honda sponsors/colors to make room for all the glorious red Ducati livery. View Nicky’s Tissot photoshoot with a Desmosedici at this link.

Last Sunday was the perfect day for a photoshoot in Seattle. After a long winter storm with snow and rain, the weather finally cleared up and we had sunny skies for the shoot. Perhaps I brought back the sun from my recent trip to Hawaii?? ) Local photographers Jason Tanaka and Orhun Uygur asked to use the Desmosedici for a portfolio shoot with models Katie and Krista and I was happy to assist as I am studying the technical aspects of photography and lighting and these guys knew there stuff. Big thanks to Jason and “Turk” for sharing their knowledge!!

Click on the picture below to see photos taken by photographer Jason Tanaka:

The DesmoNorthwest Ducati Calendar is out now in the Ducati dealerships. The calender features Pacific Northwest scenery and local Ducati riders’ bikes. Check the month of February where Chris’ Desmosedici makes an appearance.

As reported by AZ-Central.com, Angelina Jolie bought Brad Pitt a not-yet-released in the US, Ducati Monster 1100S Titanium for his birthday. I’d say that’s a pretty sweet gift. Read full story here

Below is a mockup of what the “Rosso GP” version of the Desmosedici RR would look like with stickers. I mocked this up for a friend who bought one and wanted so see what it looked like before he had them applied.

Click on image below to enlarge.