Saturday, February 19, 2011

New Online Ducati Hangout!



A new Ducati Forum has opened up and I was asked to share this with my readers so here is a copy of the press release:



Desmodrome launches the FIRST SOCIAL NETWORK for Ducati enthusiasts



By Desmodrome

Dated: Feb 17, 2011



A new social media destination is being launched specializing in bringing together motorbike riders who

are fans of the Italian brand, Ducati. Founded by Daniel Rongo, Desmodrome is an international

community for the Italian two-wheeler fans.



It’s a Ducati, Signore!



 Where the Pneumatici da Moto Hits the Social Media Road



 LONDON, UK – February 17, 2011 – A new social media destination is being launched specializing in

bringing together motorbike riders who are fans of the Italian brand, Ducati.



 Pneumatici da moto is Italian for motorcycle tyre, incidentally.  www.desmodrome.com is the FIRST

SOCIAL NETWORK for Ducati enthusiasts, Ducati motorbike owners or simply people who are

passionate about the Italian two-wheeler.



 Founded by Daniel Rongo, Desmodrome is an international online community where you sign-up for free,

speak with like-minded people who are all about Ducati’s.



 “There are already a few online forums dedicated to Ducatisti but no one had ever thought to build a social

network around them,” says Rongo.



“Desmodrome is special because it completely revolves around members and it has been conceived to give users the same engaging experience of Social Networks like Facebook.  And it embeds an online forum too!”



 Described as, “Completely committed to and excited by new technological possibilities” by Computer

World UK, Rongo is no stranger to building successful social networks to satisfy specific societal needs.



  “Ducati is an Italian pride worldwide and it is more than a motorbike manufacturer.  We felt the need to

create something that would have been much more than an online forum for Ducatisti.  We wanted to

combine the latest internet technologies with an Italian fantastic tradition.”



 Of course, one of the key assets of Desdmodrome is the integrated online forum where users have several

participation options.  They can share feelings, stories about their motorbike, ask for technical help or

discuss accessories, parts and clothing – or just discuss the Ducati brand in general or organize meetings

and rideouts.



 But the most innovative categories include: Wishlist (What would you like to see or not to see on a new

Ducati?), Riding School (Tips and tricks on how to ride your Ducati, both on a track and on the road),

Internet Retailers (Good and bad experiences with online parts retailers), Product Reviews (Here you can

review bikes, parts, accessories and clothing. You are the judge) and the Best Price Competition (Ready to

buy? Ask the forum where you can get the BEST price for it).  There is a classified section where members

can buy and sell motorbike, parts, accessories and technical clothing. Users can even upload videos on how

to perform specific technical tasks, as well as the movies of their trips filmed with an on-board camera!



 The website includes also real-time chat, a photo section, and news from Ducati.  Regarding the photo

section, the most beautiful members’ photo of the week will automatically be published in the Desmodrome

home page.



 Desmodrome is NOT affiliated in any way with Ducati.com or Ducati Motor Holding S.p.a.  and arose

from the passion of the founder towards Ducati and with the mission to connect Ducatisti worldwide.



 www.desmodrome.com





 For more information contact: marketing@desmodrome.com



Ride on,

Torch





Sunday, February 13, 2011

Two Wheeled Riding Withdrawals



Two Wheeled Riding Withdrawals


Anyone who has been addicted for any length of time to riding on two wheels, specifically motorcycles, and has been denied access to that mount, may come down with Midlife Motorcycle Madness. (Click the link to go to the definition.) With Mistress down for repairs I have been acutely aware of the symptoms and peculiarities of this disease.


Riding on two wheels is akin to an alcoholic or drug high. You just can’t seem to get enough of it. Several things start to happen when not being able to ride, mostly just substitution. One is that you be spending a lot of time working on your bike performing upgrades, maintenance or repairs. You will probably spend every other free moment reading everything you can find about motorcycles in hard or electronic copy. You may also be spending a lot of time on forums & social media discussing everything two wheeled related.


When not doing these things you may develop some other peculiar symptoms of the disease. You will find yourself being a lot more sensitive to the sound of a v-twin or sport bike revving, even in the distance and it will draw your attention directly to it. Your right hand occasionally will twist like it is time to accelerate, usually right after a left foot shift twitch. You might find yourself driving along the far left lane of the freeway hugging the left stripe to see around the traffic in front of you. You may also find yourself wandering around the house leaning yourself around the corners.  Don't ask me how I know.


Truthfully there is only one cure and that is riding a motorcycle on the open road and the open road is optional! The acceleration, adrenalin, twisties and wind take away all the bad side effects. See you on the road soon.


Ride on,
Torch