Tommy D

Interesting stuff, keep it coming! :) One of the first things that grabbed me about the Monster/MTS is the comfort. Everything is EXACTLY where my hands/feet fall; it's almost like it was designed for me... I had heard about the service being costly to own, but I do most of my own service on my car, and figured I'd do the same on the bike. I've never done valve adjustments, but I have enough aptitude (And more importantly, car/bike mechanic friends!) to get the job done. FYI: the Monster and MTS both have wet clutches now. So sorry, but now you won't get the magic of a dry clutch. :p I'm not ruling out the SV(classifieds are my friend), it's just I've wanted a DUC for as long as I can remember, love the styling, and the sound.

Hey Cliff! Thanks for that article. Now I want an MTS 620.

Good site, Speedzilla. I'll be lurking on there a bit! Mostly I'll be riding the backroads, but I may end up commuting as well. As for experience, I have little motorcycling experience, but a LOT of bicycling/skiing/snowboarding/autox/racing schools/DE track days/etc. I know: Motorcycling is unlike everything else. :o I have taken the BRC with the MSF. Anyway, I've been looking around, and keeping track of what has been said on this forum, and a Monster fits my requirements rather nicely. So does the SV650.

I'm looking to buy a Monster 620 come January. And it sounds like there are some Ducatisti (Is that right?) lurking on this forum. Is there anything I should know before I go down to the local dealer and pick one up? For instance, I'm under the impression there isn't any haggling when buying a m'cycle like there is buying a car. The Multistrada is very appealing too ... Maybe there's room for two Ducs in the stable! :lol: PS - If anyone has a line on a used Monster in the New England, New York/tri-state area, let me know! I've been looking in the classifieds, but no luck yet.

Excellent! NHIS is a fun track; I've been there for DE days in my Subaru, and as a spectator at AMA events. It's been too long.... Must get back on track!

Or with any of my friends either. I'm on the lighter side of things, but I have a friend on the *much* heavier side of things, who rides hard, too, and he's never had trouble. But then again, we made sure to adjust the interface properly, so there's no play whatsoever. We also keep a close eye on the heel pieces/pins/screws, etc. We've been using the Intec system for two seasons now, this will be our third. I love the interface, and was never very fond of how toe levers work. With Intec, I step in right the first time, everytime.

According to my last physical, I'm ~5'6", 143lbs. I just came off riding my Volkl RTSL 163. Rode the camber out of it, literally. That board is not at all forgiving, but an absolute joy to ride; but I'd be cooked after a few hours. At the end of last season, I demo'd a Donek FC1 171, and it was nice. In that length, much more of a 'cruiser' than my Volkl, and I was actually able to relax and conserve energy. But, at that length, it felt way too damp and long for my weight. That said, I have a FC2 167 on the way for this season. It should be just what I'm looking for in terms of length and ride. As far as width goes, I chose the wider board for my mondo 27s, and my dislike of extreme binding angles.

I have always driven up to the Stowe area to a place called 'Inner Boot Works.' Or is it "werks?" This guy up there, "Benny," has done phenomenal jobs fitting myself and a bunch of my friends. It's a hike, but worth it. Also, a couple friends swear by some of the boot fitters in the Stratton area, but I've never been fitted up there. Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone in the CT or NYC area that does good fittings.

What are the advantages of those, versus the 'locking' adjustable lean built into my 423's? Actually, the more I look at it, it looks like the lean is still adjustable. My question is, what is the benefit to having the springs, versus having lean locked in? Is it for greater flexibility? Damping? Control? All of the above? It certainly looks interesting. Could this device be used to 'stiffen' up my 423's? Toys. Too many toys.

I just finished the BRC last week, and now I have my license! Time to buy, beg, borrow or steal a bike to practice on! Tonnes of fun! Good luck and be safe! FYI: I think that wheelie school, or one like it, comes to Watkins Glen once or twice a year. And there is a superbike racing school that definitely comes to the Glen twice a year as well, but off the top of my head, I don't know what it is called.

SWEET! Thanks for the roadmap, and the hi-res. It looks like you are working on the site as we correspond ... Good stuff. I'll be visiting more often. Also, I have quite a bit of background (formal education) with HTML, and markup languages in general, as I'm sure a lot of folks on BOL do. If you need help, or have a question, don't hesitate to ask!

Where are the June photos? The only galleries I find are pictures of snowboards. No scenics, no riders. Is there a site map or breadcrumb trail I can follow? I'd love to get a hi-res of that picture you post above! I agree; the layout of the site is a bit confusing. For instance, I can get to the Timberline gallery from the 'links' page, but I cannot get there from the 'gallery' page. Also, the 'History' page is blank, for me. There seems to be a bullet out of place at your 'poll' page. I'm using Firefox. Am I missing something, or maybe my browser is omitting information? Keep up the great work though! I love seeing new angles of our sport, seeing pictures, and hearing stories.

Hi. Does anyone know if there will be any new offerings from Donek for this coming season? Anything as simple as graphics/topsheets to something more complex like new boards/skis? Winter is coming, and I'm getting excited!!! All my 'Ski Movies' from MSP Films have been spinning in my DVD player. YAH!!!

Oh yeah! It's a wonderful sensation that most people don't get to experience. If you come out to Vermont, there's all kinds of riders at Stratton to hook up with. Post, and mebby we'll hook up for some turns.

WOW! I am taking the BRC right now, and had my first lesson in countersteer on a mcycle. WILD stuff. Glad I practiced on my road bicycle first. :) It is pretty amazing; I 'feel' like I can turn the bike by leaning over, but without a doubt the bike manouvers much faster using countersteer.

I am taking the BRC right now!! Tonnes of fun! Unfortunately, I won't have a bike when I'm done the course, but I will have my endorsement. Anyone want to give me a bike?

HAHA! I just replaced my old roof, and had a lighter shingle placed up there. I do what I can to minimize impact on the environment, but I don't go out of my way. I'm one of those who drives hundreds of miles each weekend for skiing, sometimes twice a weekend. I have a 60 mile commute, three days a week, and live way out in the woods, so to speak(read: no public transit for miles). If I could work from home full time and maintain my current income, I would. Anyone out there care to offer? I'll do anything from tech writing, to web work, to business and marketing, to project management, or anything else that might be interesting! HOOK ME UP! :) Then I will move to Vermont and walk to the lifts! It is quite probable I will be purchasing a M'cycle in a few months for making small errands as well as basic transport when my bicycle is not feasible.

Hey, thanks! I think you are right about cants: I was using 3 degree f/r, but I tihnk adding a 6 would have helped ... I got the opportunity to try some narrow boards for a day, and didn't have my extra gear. As far as angles go, I was as shallow as I could get without boot-out, and definitely didn't want to go steeper. I'll keep cants in mind the next narrow-board-opportunity I get. Of course, getting a good 'instructor' to look at my style would help tremendously too. Last year, a carver gave me some awesome feedback regarding my hand/elbow placement, and I ended up carving better with less effort.

I have size 9 feet, and I find anything narrower than 19cm tends to hurt my knees. IE- binding angles greater than 60/55.

Yep, I'm in Newtown, CT. Just east of Danbury. Turns out my colleage is looking for an R6, he's just not quite ready to buy. If he changes his mind, I'll have him contact you. But I have a feeling used R6's don't sit around very long! That is an awefully sexy bike!

First: I was talking with a friend today who mentioned he wanted an R6. (He has a 2005 FJR1300, http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/180/0/home.aspx but wants another bike.) He might be interested in your R6. I will double-check tomorrow and contact you. Email me the asking price, if you don't want to post here. Second: That BMW 650CS is awesome! I've had my eye on that for about a year now, and we have considered it. A friend has the R1200 GS http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=r1200gs which is just awesome: I love the features/tech on those machines! Honestly, if the 650CS were less expensive, that would be the bike. I'll look around for a used one, but I fear the price used won't be much better! I really appreciate these helpful suggestions. I'm signed up for the MSF course in September!!! :D For the last 15 years I've wanted to learn to ride, so it's about time, eh?

I was wondering what the heck the Savage was! I like it!

That thing is huge! WOW. Curious there's no suspension at all... the purpose must be for cruising and mellow trail riding. I have disk brake envy.

Oh, nevermind ... I did a search and found this thread which contains excellent BB suggestions from Jack, et al: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=2376&page=2&highlight=beginner+motorcycle Though if anyone wants to chime in below, they are more than welcome! :D ***** So, I've been thinking about beginner motorcycles: My girlfriend has had her M-licence for years, but doesn't have much experience. She's short, about 5'4". We've been doing some virtual shopping, and this is a shortlist with two sport bikes, and two cruisers. As much as we both love the sportbike styling/purpose, the cruisers have a certain appeal too. FYI: We both carve snowboards, but I also ride MTB, Road bicycle, and race cars (Autox/DE track days.) She's been to the MSF safety course, and I'm going through it soon. Sporty: Yamaha FZ6: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelspecs/273/0/specs.aspx Ducati Monster dark: http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2005/monster.jhtml?family=monster Buell Blast: (I've read some very bad reviews of bike quality here...) http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/blast/ Cruisy: HD Sportster High or Low: http://harley-davidson.com/PR/MOT/2006/06_template.asp?bmLocale=en_US&family=sportster&model=xl883l&market=US&modelsection=gallery Yamaha Virago: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/star/products/modelspecs/24/0/specs.aspx My question is, would any of the above make for good beginner bikes? She'll be using it as a back-woods/roads commuter and rec, and if I get her off I'll use it for pleasure only. I understand the Monster and the FZ6 might be a bit 'extreme' for a beginner, but they're a lot more tame than the Smokin' Joe's and other rockets she wants. Other possibilities (Though she doesn't like any of the styling here): Suzuki SV650: http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/SV650K5/Default.aspx Kawasaki Vulcan 500/Eliminator: http://www.kawasaki.com/product_detail.asp?product=114&category=2&tag=motorcycle Honda Shadow/Rebel/Nighthawk http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/cruiser_standard/ We've been checking out the local classifieds too for some bargan used stuff, but I'm always aprehensive buying used anything. (especially motor vehicles. It's like that box of chocolates people are always talking about...) Thanks!

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