The Early Days
It all started when I rode a friend’s yellow ’73 sport around the old Baypark Raceway back in 1975. (Baypark, a classic Tauranga racetrack of the era, sadly long gone) At the time I was the proud owner of a new Suzuki ‘73 GT380 with no less than the RAM Air system. Prior to this, I rode Suzuki dirt bikes due to my dad knowing Bob and Rod Coleman of Suzuki Wanganui.
The next time on a Duc would be in 1991 while living in Cairns. I saw a new 1991 900SS and had to have it, thought it was the sexiest thing ever, even with clothes on… (The 900SS was one of Ducati’s most iconic bikes of the ’90s—pure Italian style and raw sound)
Finding DOCNZ, Finding the Crew
After returning to Whangamata in 1995, while in Hamilton I spied a ’91 851, freshly imported from Italy. (The 851, Ducati’s first modern superbike with fuel injection and Desmoquattro engine, was rare in NZ back then) The carbon fibre SilMoto cans gave it an awesome sound and it went extremely well. So the roads in & out of Whanga got thrashed! It was at this time I joined the Ducati Owners’ Club NZ (now known as Ducati Official Club NZ) through Greg Monahan, DOCNZ’s founding Prez and a real good Bugger!
Through this club I have made so many great friends & acquaintances, had so much fun at National Ducati Rally (NDR). DOCNZ’s annual weekend get together. The meets and club rides, stories and banter are second to none.
The Big Off
The next bike was a ’97 916 SPS which Grant Vinten had imported into NZ and Chris Haldane raced (Chris Haldane: NZ racer and Ducati nut). I purchased this bike at the start of ’99, only to have a major crash! The cops said I was doing 190kph, (this was due to a stuck wide-open throttle) and wanted to throw the book at me! My good mate at the time Ed from Whitianga heard about the crash and came and collected the bike while I was carted off in a Westpac rescue chopper! Needless to say life-threatening multiple injuries: broke both wrists, left elbow, sternum, five ribs, collapsed right lung, right collarbone & shoulder blade. Evidently, my time was not up.
Ed pulled the bike apart to find the rubber gromet that holds the front of the tank down within the airbox was the culprit and was lodged firmly beside the throttle butterfly. The charges were then dropped. The repairs to the bike were to be done by Motorrad in Wellies, thanks to Greg M who rescued the bike before the receivers got it.
Monsters, Mates & The Mash
Since then, with the help & knowledge of many mates in the DOCNZ club, I have owned a gaggle of Ducs. Most memorable for me was our riding (hooning) with Mr Tony Schuts. RIP brother. We named ourselves the Monstermash crew as we were a tight group of Monster riders. 888 x2 (Ducati 888s: the predecessor to the legendary 916, and still epic today), still have one… 999S, 900SS, Monsters (lost count), ST4s & ST3s, plus Multistradas.
Wendy's Wild Ride
A few years ago, while living in Pakuranga, my PIC (partner in crime) Wendy asked me to take her for a ride on the ST4s. I was feeling tired and declined, much to PIC’s disgust! Wasn’t keeping my end up, haha.
It was then, after some colourful words, Wendy said “&%#@ you! I’ll get my own bike!!”
That’s when Wendy’s journey began in 2018.
I purchased a 400 SS Junior which Wendy began lessons on at a soccer pavilion car park. This bike wasn’t the best choice for a learner, so a Suzuki GN250 was then purchased. Wendy’s maiden ride was to the Paeroa Street Races. (A circuit that no longer runs. In the day, spectating at Paeroa’s famous street circuit is a rite of passage for Kiwi North Island bikers)
Next, a 400 monster then 659 Monster saw Wendy learn so much she was flyin’, then another 659. Both these bikes had some tasty bits transferred from a 696 Monster I had been bidding on, against a good mate and fellow DOCNZ member, Hamish!
📸 Roger Pereira & Pete Thomasen
Now Wendy’s on her 2nd 937 Monster, she hit some black ice May 2023 which saw Wendy get highsided, my heart sank as I was leading the ride, always checking for my PIC in my rear view mirror only to see her on the road, badly broken collarbone and right forearm, thankfully her guts and determination saw her back on the horse, another 937 monster, her 5th monster now.
I also belong to the IMOC club (Italian Motorcycle Owners Club, another great bunch) who do a fantastic job, but on a smaller scale than DOCNZ, nonetheless, its all huge fun.
Rally Life & the DOCNZ Family
I really love the annual National Ducati Rally weekends, the good buggers (all of you) who turn up on some absolutely stunning machinery. These events are so bloody well organised and hence muchly appreciated by all.
I’m almost an old hand but only go back to 2013 at Wairakei with NDR meets. I had not long met my PIC Wens and invited her to get her ass up to mine but she was “busy” that weekend.
If you are new to the club and haven’t attended a National Ducati Rally, get off your bums and get along to one! You will be blown away. (You’ll make mates for life, see bikes you never thought you’d lay eyes on, and ride roads that’ll ruin you for anything else)
📍 NDR 2021 📸 Connull Lang Photography
📸Aaron Staples
📸✍️Pete Thomasen
