Log Item: I now have the Diavel resting in a Pit Bull stand when it's in the garage. The grandsons have a natural attraction to the bike and I don't want them horsing around on the machine only to have it fall over on them. Of course, the bike is off limits, but young boys...yeah, I was one once.
Rant: I don't know what your experience is...and I may be a bit naive, but when I ordered a parts kit that will allow me to put a back rest and grab rails for a passenger on the back of the Diavel, there were a lot of parts but no instructions. I went on-line. Nothing. No YouTube video instruction. Nothing. There is a lot that needs to come off the machine so that the passenger gear can go on.
Rant: I don't know what your experience is...and I may be a bit naive, but when I ordered a parts kit that will allow me to put a back rest and grab rails for a passenger on the back of the Diavel, there were a lot of parts but no instructions. I went on-line. Nothing. No YouTube video instruction. Nothing. There is a lot that needs to come off the machine so that the passenger gear can go on.
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| Gear necessary to haul a passenger |
Most of my motorcycle riding is solo, but IF you want to put somebody in a "two-up" riding posture, there are a lot of modifications necessary including re-wiring the rear lighting systemand adding more conventional looking (nerdy) tale and turn indicator lights in addition to the cool rear lights. The pannier bracket (pictured to the right-above, sitting on the box) is required to install the passenger's backrest (that keeps passengers on the bike when you accelerate) and allows them to hang on for dear life. I didn't buy the panniers (suitcases) for the bike. There are levels of comfort that I am not willing to afford a passenger. (see Q and A below)
I hear you asking what the cost of this passenger accommodation is. Yes, well, there is that too. Between buying a very good helmet and the running gear, it's roughly $1,000.00. Is that a high price to pay for company? Many will affirm that it is. I think that the jury is out on that one.
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| This is what the Ducati accessories website says that it should look like (without the red paint on the bike) when it's installed. |
Passenger Q and A:
Q: Do you plan to put a CB radio on the bike or to add an entertainment system?
A: No. If the passenger isn't entertained sufficiently, I'll loosen the bolts holding the back rest on and pop a wheelie at 80 mph... It's a motorcycle, not a car, not an executive jet cabin, and not a yacht. I don't serve vodka martinis (shaken, not stirred) on the scooter, either.
Q: Can guys ride on the back of the Diavel?
A: No, not ever - never. Lady parts pushing against my back are fine, but I'm not going to do the sausage fest thing.
Q: What if a passenger wants to bring a purse or a water bottle?
A: She can put the bottle in her pocket and hope that it doesn't leak. I'm not putting an attachment on the scooter that holds a water bottle, a purse or any sort of female equipment bag. That is what jacket pockets are for.
Q: What if the lady is scantily clad (Fruit-of-the-Lomb halter and Daisy Duke cut-offs) and has no place to put her necessaries?
A: Hmmm, in that case, I'll pack her female necessities in my jacket pocket.
Q: What if the lady is scantily clad (Fruit-of-the-Lomb halter and Daisy Duke cut-offs) and has no place to put her necessaries?
A: Hmmm, in that case, I'll pack her female necessities in my jacket pocket.
