2006 Ducati Monster Dark

by Heather (Raven) Smith
(Diamond Bar ,California)

My name is (Raven)aka Heather Smith and my "Baby Duc" aka "Dark Thing" is a 2006 Ducati Monster Dark i.e. special edition matte silver with matte black triple racing stripes and classic decals.

I haven't put any carbon fiber pipes on it like everyone does because it makes it even louder. I really don't want to be obnoxious to my neighbors. A Ducati has already a gutteral rumble that carries far.

I love to ride it, but I am still nervous about other drivers carelessness around my part of town and my dark attire and paint combo on my Duc makes me limited to local riding in daylight. I also am not as comfortable on it when it is full of gas because of the classic cafe style's high center of gravity. I feel as if I have a bit less balance control over the tighter turns and less control when the freeway rain grooves take your tires for a squirrely ride.

The ride on a monster is comfortable at a moderately short distance, 30-miles or so at once, but any further (without plenty of breaking-in of the back muscles) will leave you tired with back and trapezium tension or simply in pain. I also tend to shift in the seat after about 15 minutes of riding because of the way the seat is designed -leaning forward on soft lady parts. (how do GUYS do it?)

I think that if my husband gets into riding too, then I'll keep the baby duc a garage trophy toy for fun and show and purchase a pair of low center of gravity cruisers and pull some lounge rides on the weekends up the Cali coast with my love.

Kudos to all lady riders. Thanks for being cool.
Lovemyducati!
Raven