Sport Touring on a Ducati Monster 821? Motorcycle Trip to the Dragon

[@woodyracing49]

I definitely need to spend more time in the mountains, what’s everyone’s favorite non-dragon road? I might go Motocamping on the Monster next 👀 Open to all advice on that one 😅

[@bradmottishaw467]

That is on my bucket list of rides. When I lived in SoCal we had Ortega Highway and Angeles Crest Highway that were famous for nice twisty's, but there were always squids that thought it was a race track and caused a lot of delays when they slid out. Was that a problem on the Tail of the Dragon?

[@ScottKelley]

I just watched a video where you said you'd keep the Monster 821 for one year only. I'm glad to see you kept it for longer. :) I'm considering an 821 Stripe right now so I had done some searching to see what videos people are making of it haha.

[@woodyracing49]

I did finally sell it but I definitely miss that bike, it was phenomenal!

[@ScottKelley]

Ohhhh my oh my @@woodyracing49

[@danielgallegos971]

Can do with out the music. Really would had been better with just the sound of the bike

[@danrzipkin7730]

I'm about to take a 2001 Monster S4 on a 3200+ mile road trip from central NC to Colorado Springs and found this while looking for tips. I've made 400 mile day trips, but nothing like this. I was also just at the Dragon with my MINI Cooper. There are tons of good roads in the area, plan on staying in Fontana or Robbinsville. Also, have a meal at the Tapoco Lodge, fantastic food and biker friendly. Take 28-74 into Bryson City, if its a weekend grab an ice cream at Soda Pops then hit 19 through Cherokee to Maggie Valley and check out the Wheel Through Time museum. There is a ton more to explore in the area, but I think for a short trip, that should be the highlight.

[@woodyracing49]

Great tips! I’ve been going for years with Fiat groups and actually up here this weekend in an Alfa. That sounds like an incredible trip and I LOVE the S4, such a great bike!

[@onefastmini]

@@woodyracing49 I’ve owned an X 1/9 and 79 Alfetta. The Italians really know how to infuse their passion for art into their machines.

[@keltecdan]

That’s awesome. I’ve been wanting to make that trip to Johnstown CO to visit my grandpa. I live in Nashville and have made that trip in the car but not the bike. I’ve ridden from Dallas to Nashville where I used to live but haven’t done Nashville to Colorado.

[@Isntreal1234]

Love the Dragon!❤❤❤

[@YourFavoriteRoadCaptain]

Im hitting the dragon next spring

[@mrfreeze2889]

how many times did u sTop to get gas

[@blind3pot266]

What bag do you have? I’ve been wanting something on the back or side bags

[@woodyracing49]

It’s the Ogio Tail Bag 2.0, I just grabbed it from Cycle Gear but it’s been great. Straps go under the seat, I keep them tucked there when not using it. Even used it as a base to strap camping gear for an overnight trip a couple of weeks after this trip. Small duffel bag, tent, chair, sleeping bag, pillow the whole kit. Looked ridiculous but worked great.

[@Reidholyfield12345]

Good video

[@soulevolution2735]

Hi, im getting the monster 937 and planning to ride like 500 miles. I was told from people around me that during summer, the heat from the engine gets hot and its hitting the legs. Also, since its a naked bike, i will get tired easily. Did you get that experience? The people around me are riding the GS1250 btw.

[@woodyracing49]

They get pretty hot in stop and go traffic, but on highway trips, it’s not an issue at all. It definitely doesn’t have the wind protection of a GS but I’ve never found it to be a huge issue and, if it does become a problem, there are aftermarket windscreens. I come from sport bikes where the wind gets pushed to your helmet if you’re not in a full race tuck, it’s much more comfortable for me having no windscreen than a short one. I would probably rather have cruise control and a better way to attach bags than more wind protection, but it’s perfectly doable as it is.

[@soulevolution2735]

@@woodyracing49 That gets some worries off my chest. So basically it depends on the level of individual's tolerence. I'm fine with naked bikes. It's just probably people's exagerration and trying to convince me into getting the GS. Mind games. Anyway, thanks for replying!

[@danrzipkin7730]

@@soulevolution2735 So much also depends on the kind of riding you frequently do. I owned one bike, a BMW K1200LT that you didn't feel the wind at all. Hit cruise control and turn up the radio. But the this was over 900 pounds and impossible for a relatively small guy like myself to maneuver in my tight and vertical driveway. I prefer to feel the wind over that any day.

[@keltecdan]

I’d be nervous traveling long distances on a Ducati never knowing if the bike is going to crap out.

[@woodyracing49]

I’ve been riding for 19-ish years, riding Ducatis for 15 of those and that wouldn’t even enter my mind as a concern. Motorcycles today, Ducatis included, are absurdly reliable.

[@danrzipkin7730]

I have several 20 year old Ducatis and the main thing is the maintenance. But that's true of any machine. Some are just more needy than others.

[@dennis.lc8407]

2 years ago you said that you will sell the 821 after 1 year. So what happend? I assume you like this bike too much?😄

[@woodyracing49]

Ya know, honestly, I just can’t make up my mind what I want next. At one point I decided on a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE. Lately I’ve been leaning more towards a new track bike, an Aprilia RS660, R7, or an already prepped 600. Hopefully I’ll make up my mind by spring.

[@adrianroberts4287]

Cracking video mate👍 but that soundtrack/ backing music………….🤮