New bike owner questions

highwaytramp · 06-24-2012, 03:40 PM

Hello I've just purchased my first bike. A 2009 Ducati GT 1000 touring. Beautiful bike, probably a poor choice for a first bike. On the plus side it fits well and isn't too heavy.
I am eager to make it my own. I am starting with the wheels, rubber and brakes. I am quite confused with all the braking system options and their optimum application. It seems some systems while offering maximum stopping potential might be unsuitable for road use.
My goal is to make the bike safer before anything else. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Dodsfall · 06-24-2012, 04:03 PM

The stock braking system and tires will be more than adequate for riding on the street. The motorcycle will stop fast enough to throw the rider completely off the machine as is, if misused.

A more efficient braking system will not make the motorcycle any safer to ride on the street.

During racing on a track, where very high speeds are maintained between bouts of very heavy braking, a more efficient system may be of some use to a highly experienced racer who can push the machine to it's limits.

Being a new rider, my guess is that you are at least several years away from having to worry about that.

highwaytramp · 06-24-2012, 05:04 PM

Valuable information, thank you. My next instinct then to reduce stopping distance is weight loss. Both me and the bike haha. Any recommendations on parts that are traditionally over weight? Besides these beefy wheels.

Dodsfall · 06-24-2012, 05:44 PM

Believe me, Ducati engineers are very good at what they do. They have found an excellent balance of strength and light weight in their motorcycles since they debuted in 1944.

Making the motorcycle significantly lighter would likely compromise structural integrity somewhere along the line.

cmonSTART · 06-24-2012, 05:57 PM

The thing you can change right now which will have the most impact on your safety is your own riding skill level. Learn the right way and practice!!

As Dodsfall said, there really isn't much more you can do to the brakes to make the bike 'safer.' It has more than enough braking power to send you over the handlebars and it can also brake better than most cars! IMO, if you want to make a change which enhances the safety of the bike, focus on things which effect visibility (headlight modulators, lights, etc.)

Enjoy the bike and have fun making changes!

06-24-2012, 03:40 PM	#1
highwaytramp Registered Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	New bike owner questions Hello I've just purchased my first bike. A 2009 Ducati GT 1000 touring. Beautiful bike, probably a poor choice for a first bike. On the plus side it fits well and isn't too heavy. I am eager to make it my own. I am starting with the wheels, rubber and brakes. I am quite confused with all the braking system options and their optimum application. It seems some systems while offering maximum stopping potential might be unsuitable for road use. My goal is to make the bike safer before anything else. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

06-24-2012, 04:03 PM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,940	The stock braking system and tires will be more than adequate for riding on the street. The motorcycle will stop fast enough to throw the rider completely off the machine as is, if misused. A more efficient braking system will not make the motorcycle any safer to ride on the street. During racing on a track, where very high speeds are maintained between bouts of very heavy braking, a more efficient system may be of some use to a highly experienced racer who can push the machine to it's limits. Being a new rider, my guess is that you are at least several years away from having to worry about that. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Dodsfall; 06-24-2012 at 04:08 PM..

06-24-2012, 05:44 PM	#4
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,940	Believe me, Ducati engineers are very good at what they do. They have found an excellent balance of strength and light weight in their motorcycles since they debuted in 1944. Making the motorcycle significantly lighter would likely compromise structural integrity somewhere along the line. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-24-2012, 05:57 PM	#5
cmonSTART Rider of old stuff Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Antrim, NH Posts: 826	The thing you can change right now which will have the most impact on your safety is your own riding skill level. Learn the right way and practice!! As Dodsfall said, there really isn't much more you can do to the brakes to make the bike 'safer.' It has more than enough braking power to send you over the handlebars and it can also brake better than most cars! IMO, if you want to make a change which enhances the safety of the bike, focus on things which effect visibility (headlight modulators, lights, etc.) Enjoy the bike and have fun making changes! Last edited by cmonSTART; 06-24-2012 at 05:59 PM..

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06-24-2012, 05:04 PM	#3
highwaytramp Registered Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	Valuable information, thank you. My next instinct then to reduce stopping distance is weight loss. Both me and the bike haha. Any recommendations on parts that are traditionally over weight? Besides these beefy wheels.