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What We Learnt Travelling Italy (and What You Should Know Too)

We landed in Rome on the 2nd of September at 8am to be greeted with a walk across the tarmac in 34°C heat. How odd, I thought, to be outside walking into a terminal at Rome's Terni Airport, but the excitement of being there soon pushed these thoughts from my mind. Planning for our Italian holiday started a few years ago, but it really started last November. Joy, being of Italian descent, made Italy a place we were always going to visit. With flights booked, we decided to hire a car and see Ital...

From Waikato to Italy: A Ducati Adventure!

Well, what an opportunity this was—to be able to take the place of our president and vice president and go on the World Presidents Tour and the World Ducati Weekend! We did arrive a few days early to do the usual touristy stuff by car, but the excitement really started to kick off on Sunday....

Pereira's take on the Alps!

It all started as a seed planted into our brains.Members of the Waikato group for DOCNZ kept suggesting whether we would be keen on doing the World Presidents Tour if our president and vice-president weren’t going. There were a lot of yes, maybe, no, maybe, and yeses. We finally decided, for the first time ever, to do a 10-day Swiss, Italian, and Austrian Alps tour followed by the World Presidents Tour and the World Ducati Weekend!Part One!It started with a quick visit to see family in the UK....

Cost of living cramping your BLING addiction?

Cost of living cramping your bike bling addiction?This is your reminder to unlock the sweet DOCNZ Perks and Discounts we've sourced for you—some old favourites are here, along with a new one too!🎈 Quality Bling: Snag discounts at CNC Racing and DB Race, both known for their superior craftsmanship and design. Your bike will be the envy of the pack!🎈 Insurance: Protect your masterpiece with Swann Insurance's Gold Package and grab 20% off your premium! That’s some serious s...

My Bike - A Chris Marer story

It was 1972 in the Deep South, I was working at my after-school job at the local mower come motorcycle shop, and then I heard it—the rumble of a V-twin… a brand new Ducati GT 750 pulling up outside. Compared to the odd Honda farm bike that we sold, this was just out of this world. Seeing a Ducati for the first time made quite an impression on a 12-year-old boy, I can tell you....

The DOC NZ Origin Story

Recently, DUCATI HQ announced the allocation of exclusive numbers for D.O.C. clubs worldwide.Our official number is... 21!...

Winter - To Ride It or Hide It?

That’s the question I’ve been tasked with wittering on about this month. I don’t own a car, and Sunday being my day off, I usually have the displeasure of driving, but luckily, I have my lovely wife and son for company.Having no option other than two wheels has led to challenges, revelations, dicey moments, and a lot of learning. I’m here again this month to share some of that with you all.First of all, you will need to decide if you’re going to park the bike up or carry on through the...

Capture the Ride: Moto Photography Tips from Kent

MY storyJust before my first child was born, I bought a good camera. Initially, taking photos of her and portraits was my goal. However, I eventually found my joy in photographing motos; it is rewarding and definitely easier than children.I really enjoy sitting on the side of the road, with a shot in mind, waiting for a mate to come past on their pride and joy. When everything works out, and I get a nice shot, it's quite rewarding. Also, sharing my photos with friends that I took with my camera ...

The First Ducati Superbike

Paul Smart's victory at the 1972 Imola 200 mile race on the new 750 ‘bevel’ v-twin was the start of Ducati's superbike success, and the beginning of a new era for the factory, which continues to this day.The ’72 Imola 200 race was a Ducati 1-2, with Paul narrowly winning the race from team mate Bruno Spaggiari, who had lead but ran low on fuel on the final lap.  Paul was married Barry Shene’s sister Maggie, and was racing the fearsome 750 two-stroke Kawasaki triples when approa...

Diary of a Turismo Virgin.

I wasn’t going to go to NDR. I love my Streetfighter but don’t consider myself a brand frother, and wasn’t too bothered with the social aspect of attending a club event. Te Anau seemed like too many kilometres and nights away on a bike NOT made for touring.Yet, as my regional Ducatista associates started talking about and planning for it, I began to reconsider what I was actually dismissing: the opportunity to ride my awesome bike around our scenic South Island’s quality roads/natural bi...

Building Bonds: A Father-Son Tale of Ducati Dreams

Every bike can be special, many have different reasons as to why and this one is very special to me, let me tell you why.This bike lived in my head for a while before it became a reality, over a few club nights, fellow DOCNZer, Joe Togo and I had spoken about the ideal 1st generation Fighter and this is what it is for me. Not just for what the bike physically is but also what it represents – this is giving a part of my passion, knowledge, and time back to my dad Paul for all he has done for me...

2024 Dirty Turismo

Rewind to over 9 months ago and Chris Marer and I started planning the (Dirty Turismo) DT 24! Then Chris goes and breaks some ribs for shits & giggles just weeks before National Ducati Rally (NDR), and I’m left heading the tour, damn – really wished I had taken more notice of where we were last time I was in the South! Anyway, we all meander to Te Anau for a group of 5 tour. Some newbies including Chris Sinclair (DDX), Ian Gibbon (T7), original crew Phil Herdman and Murray Deam on Multis...

2024 Show n Shine Awards

During our National Ducati Rally, we revved up the excitement with our Show n Shine awards!Bikes were strutted, while folks pointed, oooohed and aaaahed. Our judges, Ducati Managing Director Sergi Canovas, and Ducati Product Genius Nick Selleck, had the tough job of picking the winners."Best" awards were given for each class, along with the coveted "Best in Show" and "People's Choice" awards.It was superb to see so much Ducati BLING in one place, creating great vibes for celebrating these master...

2024 Show n Shine - PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER!!

✍️&📸 David NewberyI’m not the person to give you a history of Ducati in New Zealand, which no doubt would be quite a story, but I can tell you all about this particular Ducati.It all started in 1973 as a poster dream of a 16-year-old lad with a keen eye for all things mechanical; his name was Lionel, he was my big brother. Motorcycles soon became the focus and they started to accumulate in the shed. A Matchless 500 single, a sprung hub 500 twin Triumph, and a box of bits that was ap...

2024 GOOD BUGGER OF THE YEAR

After much anticipation, it's time to announce the winner of the Good Bugger of the Year Award.Drumroll, please... And the winner is... someone who is enthusiastic, passionate, and simply a great guy to have around!With six nominations, congratulations goes to our 2024 Good Bugger of the Year... ...

2024 Good Bugger NOMINATIONS

We're all about celebrating the good buggers among us at DOCNZ.These legends spread the good vibes and do good deeds that make our community shine. We call 'em GOOD BUGGERS! From lending a hand to sharing their passion for Ducatisti, these awesome individuals deserve a massive shoutout.Let's dive in and read this year's nominations......

Mike's Tale of Obsession & Discoveries in USA

✍️📸 Mike McKenzie...

Chris Tackles the Himalayas

✍️Chris Marer 📸Chris Marer & friends...

Casbolts - Transformation and Team Spotlight

✍️ Casbolts MC...

Kevin's Ducati Ride Experience (DRE) in the Heart of Tuscany!

✍️ Kevin Morgan | 📸 Ducati...

25 Passes in 4 days!

✍️&📸Trace Downing and Nick MarerIn Italy with a bag full of stickers and T-shirts, we're off! MotoGP at Mugello, Hire Bikes to trip around, and finally a Ducati Factory Tour. Trace and Nick, the Black Sheep from Nelson, and Henry, the DOC President from Dubai went from to Olbia, Sardinia airport to fly to Bologna. Flying can be pleasant and stress-free, not that day. Passport numbers not aligning, Bags overweight, Language barrier, thinking we were connecting to Dubai and required a ...

The Isle of Man: A Tale of Adventure from 3 Rookies

Have you been, or ever wanted to experience the Isle of Man TT?Let's follow the adventures of DOCNZ 2020 Good Bugger, Perry, and his mates Kevin, and Mark... here's the inside scoop from three IoM rookies....

WPM/T - Perspective from DOC Nelson

Did you know there are two DOC clubs in NZ?That's right, there's us, DOCNZ, and DOC Nelson, led by President Nick Marer, based in Nelson of course!This year, both clubs, four Kiwis unleashed themselves to the World President Meeting and Tour (WPM/T).Read on as Nick and Trace, of DOC Nelson, share their experiences during their week in picturesque Sardinia....

Malcolm revs at NZ Motorcycle & Classic Car Events

Putting on shows and events takes the dedication and devotion of many volunteers, enthusiasts and good buggers! Join Malcolm, a passionate DOCNZ'er, uber meticulous Ducati fanatic, and motorcycle judge, as he shares his experiences and excitement for two super cool events based in Auckland. ...

2023 WPM - WPT

Every year, except during the dreaded Covid era, Ducati put on the World President Meeting/Tour (WPM & WPT), where DOC Presidents from around the world gather for an absolute blast!This year, the two-wheeled dream took place on the stunning island of Sardinia, Italy.Get ready to be jealous!...