Hi Everyone

I just joined today. I'm 54 and have been riding motorcycles off road since I was 12, and since I was 16 on the road. I've owned 23 motorcycles, one after another, a mixture of Jap, (e.g. RD400, YPVS350, XJR1300), British, (e.g. BSA Victor, '71 Bonneville, Hinckley Triumph Thunderbird, Hinckley Scrambler), Italian (Laverda Mirage), etc. Always fancied a Duke but never took the plunge.

Anyway, I'd pretty much decided to order a Guzzi V7, having tried one before Christmas. I'd looked at pics of the Ducati Scrambler and thought, "hmmm... not sure". But a visit to the Ducati shop (Snell's in Alton, Hampshire) who have a red demonstrator changed my mind - it's REALLY good-looking in the metal.

Had a chat with the very helpful sales guy there and secured a test ride the next day, which was cold but dry. Great ride, really impressed, so I gave him my deposit on a yellow Icon there and then. I'm told I'll have it by April...Here's hoping!

Hoping to swap related info here with other new owners - let's see how we get on!