[Scissors]

Name: Scissors

Age: 32

First Street Bike: 2005

Bikes:
#1 2005(?) Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe
#2 2005 Ducati ST4s
#3 2008 Star (Yamaha) Midnight Warrior
#4 2009 Ducati Monster 1100

General:
I purchased the Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe (583cc) within a week of learning how to ride and getting my M endorsement because people said that I should start with a lower displacement, and because I figured a cruiser would be easier to handle. I got bored almost immediately and less than two months later...

I purchased the Ducati ST4s (996cc) because the Honda didn't have anywhere near enough power. I also chose it because I wanted something sportier, something that was in the liter class, and something that could actually haul gear for a weekend getaway. I've owned this bike to this day because it does so much so well. Even though I was a brand new rider, it wasn't the bike's power that scared me--in fact, power was never a problem at all and the fearmongers' warnings of accidentally giving it too much throttle never panned out in reality. No, it was the brakes. I was used to using my whole hand with the Honda, but the Ducati's brakes are way too powerful for that. The first few stops were way too quick. But as soon as someone told me to use two fingers, I never had another problem controlling that bike.

This year I sold the Honda because I really wasn't riding it with the Ducati available. I still wanted a cruiser for comfort and for when the Ducati was in the shop, so...

I purchased the Star Midnight Warrior (1,670cc) because it was almost all black, because it had enough power to keep things fun, because it has the best handling of any cruiser, and because I could afford it (it would have been the Harley Night Rod if I could have ponied up the extra four grand.)

So those are my reasons. I bought the Honda because I stupidly listened to alarmists, I bought the Ducati because I wanted versatility and performance, and I bought the Star because I wanted performance and comfort.

MSF graduate (VA)

I got into riding because an ex girlfriend told me how easy it was to get a license, and because I'd been interested for a year or two.

Current hits from the trackpipe: 0

Runs on the Dragon: 0

Number of Asphalt sandwiches: 0