This morning I find myself in quite an intoxicating place. For starters the latest project that I’m working on is heavily Ducati related, which as any rider in the motorcycle world would probably tell you makes the all consuming time spent while working a rather enjoyable experience. I find myself smiling at the oddest times as I watch the project progress. I’ve some dropped hints about this project before, but as we get closer to finishing I can’t help but think that the Ducatista audience will be in for something special.

Yesterday however made my heart skip - and not because of the work – but instead because Jake from Pro Italia called at the end of the day to let me know that my 1098S has hit American shores and sometime next week I finally get to take delivery of the bike at the shop in Glendale. I have been smiling to myself ever since. Throughout the night and into this morning I constantly keep finding myself awash in the memories of previous Ducati bikes and the dreams that come from purchasing a new model. What kind of temperament will the new bike have? Will she feel solid from the start like the ‘05 999 did or will she have to work herself in to shape like the ‘04 999? Will she feel as nimble as the ‘03 749 or will she turn in slower and stouter like the 9’s? How will she behave when she comes home and finds another Ducati in the garage? Will she like it? Will she hate it? Will she act up? This the tip of the iceberg in what has been a bizarre round of mental curiosity, but then long ago I came to believe that each and every individual Ducati bike has its own soul and its own unique character. They eat, they breath, they speak and they all do as they please with just a little help from us. So the question ultimately becomes what kind of bike will my 1098S be and I can’t wait to find out.