A Motorcycle Travelogue of Tigho's NYC Ducati Adventures

For the past three weekends running, I've made the commute down to PA to work on my 2004 Ducati ST3, trying to fix or even find a presumably electrical problem with the bike. I finally got in touch with the previous owner of the bike (his dad sold it to me), and discovered the issue of the EOBD (check engine) light, error sensor messages and a jittery throttle, all which apparently stem from an unresolved issue he neglected to fix (or even inform me about).

And sure enough, when I flicked the highbeam, the light flashed and the whole instrument panel started flickering dangerously. Although I have several family members and friends who excel at Ducati maintenance, I've officially given up on troubleshooting electronics and decided to take the bike to a dealer, and was advised to go down to Fast by Ferraci in Willow Grove. I borrowed my dad's truck and my brother in-law's enclosed trailer, and hauled the bike down to the Philadelphia suburb (above).

This bike has been nothing but a headache, but I can't help still hoping that it's just one issue that will be simply corrected. There is a cracked connector coming out of the headlight assembly wiring harness, that I couldn't figure out how to release and check.

Here's hoping the bike isn't a total lemon, and I'm not going to get completely gouged. I had a rather large trip planned, but unfortunately if I don't get the bike back next week, I'm probably screwed.

Tigho's Naked Ducati ST3 in the barn, assessing electrical problems “EFI Er. 1.1” and “Er. 3.1.”

Part 1: It’s a long way, to Pennsyltucky…

My Monster has been incredibly reliable. The carbed engine has been bulletproof over the last 7,000 miles (on the cusp of 20K total), and I haven’t had any issues that have given Ducati questionable reputations in the past. The computer system on my ST3 could be another matter.

I rode to work on Friday morning, and was a little over-eager to hit the road. There was either gravel in the street, or I’m not used to the kickstand yet; and I dumped the new bike in slow-motion like a stupid rookie.

I managed to pull the bike up almost immediately, and sheepishly rode to work. There was virtually no body damage, but when I turned the bike on, the EOBD (check engine) light was on, the coolant temperature wouldn’t register, and the fan wouldn't shut off. I scoured some Ducati.ms forums, and came to the conclusion that I had damaged the coolant sensor, and that I could probably ride down to Pennsylvania to see my brother later that day, as this was my plan for the afternoon all week.

After work, at the entrance gate to the Holland Tunnel, the engine started sputtering, and the engine wouldn’t engage when heavily twisting the throttle. I couldn’t turn around in merging traffic, so I decided to limp over to Jersey City, and then in an anxious fit of reckless bravery/idiocy, to see how far I could go before having the issue again. After I got on the Pulaski Skyway, the bike felt fine for two hours, and I was hoping cleaning or drying the sensor would resolve the issue.

I need electrics...Saturday was beautiful day; sunny with temperatures in the high 50's in PA, perfect for a late winter ride. Sunday was cloudy, cold and barely in the 40's, creating a pretty brutal atmosphere for bringing my bike back to NYC.

I love my new saddle and tank bags, and a windscreen is an entirely a new experience for me, (since my Ducati Monster affords none of those accoutrements) but neither handwarmers nor wind protection afforded me too much comfort on the long, cold ride back to the city.

After a rather lengthy trip back to Pennsylvania last week by bus, my girlfriend and I met up with my brother in-law and went riding out from Giegertown out to Adamstown, PA. He's the Ducati expert in the family, and rides a Cagiva Gran Canyon, and I I took the ST3 out for the first time recreationally.

nyducati tigho rides to lancaster county in amish country with a cagiva gran canyon

I rode this 2004 Ducati ST3 down from Ringwood, NJ on Saturday to Pennsylvania over ice and snow, and I can't wait till spring to really open her up and bring her up to New York City.

Ducati ST3: First Impressions of a new Silver Duc parked in Tigho's barn

Lotus C-01 By Daniel Simon via Tigho NYDucati

from MotorCycle News

Winter Ducati Ride in Chester County Pennsylvania via Tigho NYDucati.

It was cold, but after the holidays, I managed to get out and do a little touring of wintry, windy Chester County.

January Snowstorm at DucatiTriumphNYC via Tigho NYDucati

Google's Auto Awesome feature can make some pretty cool pictures, but sometimes they turn out ridiculously. I visited Ducati Triumph NYC (DTNYC) in SoHo on Spring Street and 6th Avenue in subzero temperatures, and Google decided to add some festive snow to the scenery.

Ducati 1199 Panigale with full Martini racing kit.

Modded GT100 at DucatiTriumphNYC via Tigho NYDucati

Crazy modded GT100

899: Baby Ducati Panigale Roadtrip ala Tigho NYDucati at Rockwell Cycle

A buddy of mine is taking this bike across the country.

The face of a Ducati Desmosedici RR on Display for Tigho NYDucati at Rockwell Cycle

The story goes that the owner crashed his Ducati Desmosedici RR, and needed a bunch of bodywork done, so he brought it to Rockwell Cycle. This bike was apparently his daily ride, which is rather incredible as there were only 1500 of these motorcycles ever made and they cost $72,500 new in 2006.

Drove up to Bear Mountain for the first time (in a car) for Rockwell Cycle's annual holiday party. The staff is fantastic, and I got to see my buddy's brand new white 899. Great food, music and a bunch of pretty Ducs.

Merry Christmas! Santa's real ride...

Every year (*ahem, during my two seasons on the road), we gather together on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and ride up to Oley, Pennsylvania to the Fire Station to give thanks for our beautiful bikes.

Tigho NYDucati Bobber Ducati Monster Cafe Racer on Craigslist

November Skies still beautiful to Ride under in NYC. Tigho NYDucati

On Essex and Grand Street riding mid-November
© 2013 Tigh Loughhead

Tigho NYDucati Custom Triumph Chopper off Bowery

Though I'm not a huge fan of the genre, I stumbled on this pretty custom Triumph chopper out making a fancy Saturday beer run to my favorite spot in the city, New Beer, on Chrystie between Rivington and Delancey on the Lower East Side.

Tigho NYDucati still riding to work into November.

Still riding my Monster into work late into Autumn

Tigho NYDucati Ducati Beveled Desmo at Cycle Max in Downingtown

Don't sit on this vehicle

Tigho NYDucati Ducati Beveled Desmo at Cycle Max in Downingtown 2

Beveled Gears

2014 1199 Superleggera Ducati Pictures: Tigho NYDucati

2014 1199 Ducati Panigale R Superleggera Ducati Pictures.
More information can be found in my original post here and here.

Sexy Modded Ducati GT1000 SportClassic on Orchard Street

Ok, so there might be something wrong with me. I just spent a couple hours watching a rather provocative burlesque show at The Slipper Room on the Lower East Side, but the sexiest thing I saw all night was parked across the street on Orchard Street and Stanton.

This totally naked custom GT1000 was custom painted (you don't see too many in all black), what looked like motocross tires, clip-ons, a full tail chop and a funky exhaust.

Tigho NYDucati at the Ear Inn: DOCNYC Tuesdays in Tribeca

Several friends have invited me to the Ear Inn, where on Tuesdays there is an impromptu bike meet up in downtown Manhattan, at one of the oldest existing bars in Manhattan. I finally went with the DOCNYC on Tuesday, and though initially we were hassled by the cops a little bit, we had a great time, and even went dancing at the Spanish tapas bar Kaña next door.

tigho nyducati ducati ducati monster 1100evo

ducati monster 1100evo side by side with Tigho's Ducati

Tigho NYDucati: Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera Ducati 1199 Panigale R

Ducati 1199 Panigale R Superleggera.1,199cc Superquadro engine with 220bhp, which should retail for around $65,000.

Only about 100 will be allocated to the United States.

More information can be found here.
© 2013 Tigh Loughhead

Boston Bay: NYDucati Lands on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Massachusetts on a Tigho Ducati Trip.

On the way back from Cape Cod, the sun was setting and I stopped off at Plymouth Rock. Even though I had an hour left to go to get back to Boston, I was glad I did.

Tigho NYDucati goes Biking to Boston and Cape Cod and Chatham, Massachusetts Cape Cod Canal

Last Sunday I decided to take a trip out to Cape Cod Massachusetts. I rode out to meet a friend in Chatham, Mass on the southwest of the Cape. Behind my bike you can see Cape Cod Canal, which connects Buzzard's Bay to Cape Cod Bay

Out in the woods in Western Mass - Somewhere South of Hartford

I tried my best to find a scenic route from New York City to Boston, but not only did I forget my winter gloves in 50 degree weather, I didn't realize that much of Connecticut and Eastern Massachusetts are a rather boring drive. I started up 684 to Danbury, then up 202 to New Milford to Nepaug State Forest.

Incredible Retro Custom Cafe Racers at the Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show 2013

Heads Down: The Park Avenue Daily Grind : Tigho NYDucati

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati

Stumbled on the Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today...

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show Tigho NYDucati Custom Classic Motorcycles 1

I was out riding with my girlfriend around Central Park, then out to Queens and down into Brooklyn, when we stumbled on several hundred rowdy bikers (see Harley guys burning rubber above). We stopped, and besides the bikers, were hundreds of custom motorcycles, mostly of the chopper variety.

There weren't too many Italian bikes (I only spotted a few Ducatis and a Guzzi or two), but there were plenty of Harley Davidsons and Triumphs.

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 2

Some guys were excited; others a bit more subdued.

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 3

The Empire State Building and Manhattan Skyline as a backdrop to the Bike Rally.

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 4

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 5

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 6

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 7

Brooklyn Invitational Custom Bike Show out riding today... Tigho NYDucati 8

Tigho NYDucati: waterfront industrial park in Long Island City to take a break. To our amazement, in the corner of the parking lot behind a twenty foot chain-link fence was a waterfront bar called Anabel Basin with incredible views of New York City.

My girlfriend arms were hurting, as she's not too used to riding long distances, so we pulled up in the parking lot of some waterfront industrial park in Long Island City to take a break.

To our amazement, in the corner of the parking lot behind a twenty foot chain-link fence was a waterfront bar called Anabel Basin with incredible views of New York City.

I, for one, am pretty excited about the new line of Italian imports coming from Italy this year. I don't think MV Agustas are quite as pretty as Ducatis, but they're comparable in performance, craftsmanship and of course the pricetag. This 2013 MV Agusta F4RR retails for around $25,000, though a base F4 starts at around $20K.

Ok, so this isn't a Ducati, but it was a bizarre bike. I stumbled across this Dodge Prowler-style scooter chained to a lampost in Chinatown. I couldn't find a make, so I'm not sure if it was custom scooter or just another weird bike out of China (of which there are tons in downtown NYC).

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