Happy Memorial Day Weekend

We wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. This is the special day when our nation remembers, honors and says thank you to those who have served our country. To all veterans everywhere, we say thank you for all that you have done on behalf of our country.

As some of you may know, Triumph Motorcycles offers a Thank a Hero program on all of their motorcycles for current military members and honorably discharged veterans. In honor of Memorial Day we are extending that offer to our Ducati motorcycles as well. In summary we will offer the Thank a Hero discount on all Ducati motorcycles between now and the end of May. Depending on model you will save between $250.00 and $500.00 off any Ducati if you are a current or honorably discharged service member. This is Great Bay's way of saying, "thank you for everything!"

Have an awesome weekend.

Ride Hard and Ride Safely,

Don

P.S. We are closing at 1pm this Saturday, May 25th so our staff can enjoy a bit of a long weekend as well.

Our next shop ride is on Sunday, June 9th and is being led by our friend Kenn Bourque with an eventual stop in Weirs Beach to check out the first official day of motorcycle week. Please join us. All motorcycles and all riders are welcome.

Last week's NEDOC ride was a great success. As usual Ted Gooch led a spirited ride through some scenic New England towns on some entertaining back roads. If you have not enjoyed a NEDOC ride with Ted make sure to catch his next one. We ended up at the Curtis barbecue in Putney, Vermont, where over 100 Ducatis gathered in the parking lot. Ducatisti from as far away as NYC met and enjoyed bikes, barbecue and camaraderie. It was a great day, and we managed to avoid the rain.

It is worth mentioning that we had one lone Triumph cruiser rider in our group, and while other brands of motorcycles were represented, most of the bikes had a performance bias. Simply, Joe Woz was in a group of sport oriented riders. If you have ever doubted what a Triumph Thunderbird can do on a twisty road, I can assure you as the trail rider, that the Thunderbird can carve a corner in sport bike fashion. Sure, we know that Triumph always makes excellent handling a core characteristic of any of its machines, but to watch Joe throw his Thunderbird SE around on the back roads was something to behold. Props to Joe!

On Saturday, June 8th, Great Bay Motorcycles will have a booth in downtown Portsmouth for Market Square Day. This is a great local event and we recommend visiting Portsmouth downtown, checking out the new Summer Sessions Portsmouth shop, and stopping by our booth and saying hello. We will have each of our venerable brands on display.

Last Sunday was my longest day on the wonderful Ducati Streetfighter 848. I found myself giggling inside my helmet as I thought out loud, "What a great machine!"

Man, the bike handles nearly effortlessly, taking turns with minimal steering input. The motor is smooth, powerful, and damn quick. Braking from the Brembos is superb, and the suspension soaked up the nasty back road winter bumps without ever bottoming or bouncing. The riding position offered me day trip comfort, yet as you ride you know you are on a true thoroughbred.  Finally, my favorite thing about the Streetfighter? Rolling hard on the throttle and hearing the glorious sound of the 848 motor, unencumbered by fairings or body work, spin up. What a sound.

Triumph has been offering new rider training reimbursement on all of it models and we have had plenty of customers take advantage of the program.

Now Ducati has jumped in with a similar offer. With Ducati you go online and fill out the Passione Ducati New Rider Incentive Program form. You will receive a card from Ducati and when you choose to purchase a new Ducati you will receive a $300.00 credit towards a Monster 696 abs or Monster 796 abs.

Training is the single most valuable thing a new rider can acquire, and our great brands are stepping up and paying for it!