Over the last 20 years, my Ducatis have proved to be more expensive, more temperamental, more uncomfortable, less practical and quite often slower than the motorcycles of my friends. But they have been more admired, more trusted at speed and procured a visceral riding experience that other brands of bike can only dream about. Even the non-biking world seems to have woken up and grasped the innate style of the Ducati. From old rasta van drivers in Peckham, to women in the back of hatchbacks, small boys in villages and petrol pump attendants on the Côte d’Azur – everyone smiles at you and says “Ducati”. I’ve even been stopped by gendarmes in France just so they could admire the carbon fire exhaust pipes and wish me a happy ride. They are so red, so loud and quite obviously unreasonable in every respect.
It's probably the logo that does it to me. A stylised devil's head, it appears not just added on to Dainese's superb motorcycle clothes, but as an integral part of their designs. Sewn-on, printed, etched, it is instantly recognisable. Dainese gear is stylish and sexy. It oozes quality and detail. Dressing up in it is like putting on a Superman outfit. It rescues me from banality and presents me with possibility. I feel protected and snug but infinitely capable. Favoured by GP stars as they hurtle towards the next gravel trap, their names - Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi - and their iconic leather designs are even sewn into the inside labels of Dainese suits. So much more than just riding apparel. Almost more important than the bike.
The Eurovision Song Contest. The one unmissable TV programme in the year. Get out your pencil and paper and your spliff and settle back for hours of viewing fun. Then try to give a country 3 and a third points because they were less awful than the country that scored 3 but marginally more atrocious than the one that scored 3 and half. Now try to work out what order you put them all in. Brings fun and laughter all over the world. Brilliant!
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Innate style of the Ducati
Ducati
08 May 2004
Over the last 20 years, my Ducatis have proved to be more expensive, more temperamental, more uncomfortable, less practical and quite often slower than the motorcycles of my friends. But they have been more admired, more trusted at speed and procured a visceral riding experience that other brands of bike can only dream about. Even the non-biking world seems to have woken up and grasped the innate style of the Ducati. From old rasta van drivers in Peckham, to women in the back of hatchbacks, small boys in villages and petrol pump attendants on the Côte d’Azur – everyone smiles at you and says “Ducati”. I’ve even been stopped by gendarmes in France just so they could admire the carbon fire exhaust pipes and wish me a happy ride. They are so red, so loud and quite obviously unreasonable in every respect.
It rescues me from banality
Dainese
20 May 2004
It's probably the logo that does it to me. A stylised devil's head, it appears not just added on to Dainese's superb motorcycle clothes, but as an integral part of their designs. Sewn-on, printed, etched, it is instantly recognisable. Dainese gear is stylish and sexy. It oozes quality and detail. Dressing up in it is like putting on a Superman outfit. It rescues me from banality and presents me with possibility. I feel protected and snug but infinitely capable. Favoured by GP stars as they hurtle towards the next gravel trap, their names - Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi - and their iconic leather designs are even sewn into the inside labels of Dainese suits. So much more than just riding apparel. Almost more important than the bike.
High laughter
Eurovision Song Contest
16 June 2004
The Eurovision Song Contest. The one unmissable TV programme in the year. Get out your pencil and paper and your spliff and settle back for hours of viewing fun. Then try to give a country 3 and a third points because they were less awful than the country that scored 3 but marginally more atrocious than the one that scored 3 and half. Now try to work out what order you put them all in. Brings fun and laughter all over the world. Brilliant!