. The Rain In Spain...........................

. Almería


I had the chance to test ride the 749S in November 2002 in Almería, Spain. I did a write-up of the event for Ducati.com.
There's a track in the southern coast of Spain in a place called Almería. While there to test the 749S recently, I recalled the phrase from My Fair Lady: "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain." More correctly on that day, it was "The rain in Spain pelts mainly on my brain," as this desert region of the country was doing its level best to reverse the drought situation in a single day.

It was the 749S track event for the American press. Those in attendance had flown up to twelve hours to be here, only to be greeted by this cold, hostile weather. Ruben Xaus was scheduled to be out on the track with us, but as the morning went on, it was clear that he would most likely miss the chance to show us around since he had to leave at noon. Ruben came up with the idea that we all get on the bus and drive around the track while he gave us a "talking tour." It probably wasn't how he envisioned teaching others about the track, but Ruben described the nuances with all seriousness, even as the bus pitched and rolled its way across each apex with the grace of a whale on casters.

When the rain finally did stop, the deep gray clouds miraculously dissipated and a bright sun made us feel hopeful. Three cars circled the track, trying to create a dry line for us while we hurriedly geared up, not knowing how long our luck would last.

I was in the first group so I got on my assigned bike and revved the engine. Slapping me on the back, Ruben made some comment like "It is always the girls who are not afraid!" Looking at him standing there in his warm fleece jacket, I took the subtext of his encouragement to mean "Better you than me, honey."

The other journalists didn't seem to be in a hurry so I took off first down the pit lane. This way, were I to do anything embarrassing on the track, no one would be there to see. At first, I felt very hesitant with the bike as I was coming to terms with the curvy wet track on a shiney new bike.

As the session went on and the track slowly began to dry, I started to enjoy the bike. Like the 999, the 749 is a comfortable bike whose fit is a non-issue (whether it's on a bike that's too tall or has a reach that's too far, woman – even those of us not on the real short side – usually have to put up with something).

The power delivery of the bike was smooth. Being accustomed to handling a two-stroke in which I constantly snap the throttle in hopes of wringing any last bit of power out of it, I found that my brutish style did not come back to haunt me. The power that went to the back wheel was crisp but even. And my propensity for staying in any given gear much longer than I really should? Praise be to an agreeably broad midrange.

I'll admit to the fact that I can't tell you all that much about the top end. There was a long straight in which I could hold open the throttle, but because of a headwind that only grew stronger and stronger, I never could ascertain what the bike was really capable of in the top gears. In fact, in my third session, a new gray wall of clouds had blown in and the first drops of rain were starting to fall gain.

As I was going through the first of a double-apex curve just before the long straight, my world suddenly went sideways on the once-again rainslicked track. While sliding along, I listened to that familiar harmony of plastic and metal grinding against asphalt. I traveled for a while before hitting the mud and coming to a stop. I quickly jumped up and looked at the track to see if anyone was target fixating on me. Seeing that it was safe, the guy who was behind me when the accident occurred helped me upright the bike. In lieu of telling you about the top end, I can at least tell you that a 749S crashes great. In spite of the fairly hard slam, all I did was snap off a mirror and shave the plastic down a bit before coating it with mud. I rode the bike back into the pits and handed it to the mechanics with a sheepish look.

It was a great day. But how could it be a great day if I crashed? If you can bin a beautiful new 749S and hand it back to someone without being cursed at or sued, it's a great day. 
       
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