Ducati 907I.E. Memorial Photo Museum

FLOOR B-10

My bike life

I will tell you about my bike life. It must be long for you,
but if you read it and you can understand what I wrote more.

My bicycle life

I was loving to ride bicycle since I was kindergarten pupil.
I used to take 2 hours riding to my friend's house, so my parents
were anxious at that time. I have some friends but nobody go with me.
I got a sportif(high-speed tourer with 700C size wheels) when I was
junior high-school. I was surprised at amazing performance.
I loved to go further, to where I didn't know.

After I entered college, I start to go further using station.
I was using station to bivouac. I disliked dull uphill, but I loved
downhill and steep hill because I could feel strong fulfillment.
We can feel various sounds and winds by riding bicycle. Cool wind
from cliff, twittering of birds, breaking waves to rocks, I had thought
only walkers and bicycle riders can feel them. Though I wanted moving
performance of motorcycle.

Changing to motorcycle

After I started to work, I was interested in motorcycle. Especially in
Japan, there is much traffic and it's dangerous to ride.

I had a doubt about bicycle as a touring transportation. I said once
bicycle is dangerous an the road. There is no road for bicycle, sidewalks are
so narrow and bumpy, there are much crashed glass, cans,and trashes at roadside.
Generally, roads are not wide so sometimes bicycle riders stop traffic stream.
I did it often. I always wanted bicycle which I can ride as fast as cars.
I add that roads in Japan are made for cars. They across hills and valleys
so I must climb hills many times. There are many tall roads, but we can't
ride there on bicycle. Some road are build at place we can get good views,
but they are often tall roads. I was frustrated often about it.

Finally, I understand that bicycle is not suitable for touring in Japan.

My first motorcycle is Kawasaki ZZ-R400. I liked that styling, It had
many equipments for touring, and it looked big. I mention I love
twin silencers and built-in flushers.
It was good choice. ZZ-R400 worked so well, durable, and easy.
It was not sporty, but comfortable for touring. I rode 33,000km
(20,600miles) in two years.

Summer of '91, I went to Tohoku area of Japan. I met riders who was riding
Suzuki GSX-1100S(Katana), and Honda CB-750F. I tried to ride with them,
but it was too hard. I decided to get a license for big-motorcycle.
In Japan, there are 3 classes among motorcycle license. Small class
is available from 80cc to 124cc, middle class is 125 to 399, and Large
class has no limit. It's hard to get large one, so many people get
middle one. I went Police Dept. to get large class license 7 times and
finally I got. They say some people are going 10-20 times. so it was hard
a little.

I went to try many motorcycles and moved by Big-Twins.
Especially, I was surprised at Ducati. I thought BMWs are well made,
but not so exciting to ride. I was anxious about durableness of Italian
motorcycle, but once I saw 907I.E., I feel strongly
It's the motorcycle I wanted!

Honda XLR-BAJA

I bought Honda XLR-BAJA('92) in '94. When Ducati907I.E. was at repairing,
I used it. After I sold my 907I.E., it had become a main machine.
It is easy to keep because of cheap taxes, cheap parts, and economic
engine. Of course I couldn't want a strong acceleration, but it was fun
to ride on small trails. I went touring to camp often, but it's not so
comfortable because of narrow seat.

NSR-250R-SE

March of 1997, I could to buy Honda NSR-250R. BAJA with trails were not
bad, however I wanted to ride paved winding road.
NSR has 2-stroke twin 250 engine, and is a kind of racer-replica.
In Japan, many amateur riders are enjoying racing at circuit course.
It works so sharp and so fun at mountain roads. I expect that it will
make me fun to ride from now. though it need strong back because of
low steering bar position.

What's Ducati 907 I.E.?
History of Ducati 907I.E.
Bodywork of Ducati 907 I.E.
Motoring of Ducati 907I.E.
Troubles & Maintenances
907I.E. Personal photo gallery
Topics of 907I.E.
Spec of Ducati 907I.E.
Summary about Ducati907I.E.

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