Heed 505

Excess. For good or for bad, it’s something that has plagued me ever since I can remember. Whether it’s riding, partying, working-out, or [insert your activity here], you can count on me to totally overdo it. Thankfully, as I’ve grown, I’ve finally begun to recognize my peculiar trait and under normal circumstances I can cope pretty well. That is until I recently got the keys of one shiny new Ducati Desmo D16RR.

There’s just something about racing around on a loud, scratch that, ground trembling V-4 powered and street-legal 2006-spec MotoGP bike. The fact that you’re riding on a machine that costs more than most people’s car can put a pretty healthy grin on your face. Add in the 180-some horsepower at your right wrist’s disposal and a person like me is as giddy as a 16-year-old spun off a 4-pack of Red Bull.

And this in essence is the problem with Ducati’s D16RR. You see a person like me, just has to use all 180 of those horsepower pretty much everywhere he goes, all the time. The visceral thrill of the Ducati’s 990cc engine when it bursts alive at 10,000 rpm is pure addiction. The way the front wheel creeps toward the sky, while the engine screams as if it is only moments away from exploding is simply irresistible.

I absolutely love this motorcycle as it is embodies everything awesome about sportbikes, but, alas, Ducati will you please make us return it. My brain, and driver’s license for that matter, can only take so much abuse.