https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/10411-davejenknz-s-Blog Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:59:53 GMT vBulletin 20 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/rss.jpg https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/10411-davejenknz-s-Blog https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/476-davejenknz-s-Blog Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:37:56 GMT This blog is going to be a history of my time with the S4.
But first a bit about me which will go some way to explain why a supposedly intelligent bloke would own a Ducati of any sort.

My 2nd career (I'm in my third) was as an Aircraft Technician. I spent 8 years in the RAF and 5 more in other countries military aircraft facilities.
I was an engine specialist, mostly Jet, which helps not a bit with bike motors, But I do have a good engineering background and have always done my own maintenance. Except when I could afford not to.
I've a decent set of tools and can tackle just about any task except component refurbishment, such as suspension etc.

Now Ducatis are simple bikes and accessible. Compared to Jap bikes that is. I'd not hesitate to tear down the Duc whereas I might think twice about a Jap.

I love riding bikes, bit I love wrenching a bit more. Week days are for commuting, but weekends are for tinkering in the garage. I always clean and lubricate my chain every weekend. This involves taking of the LHS muffler and Hugger. Also I clean my bike at least once a week. ]]> davejenknz https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/476-davejenknz-s-Blog https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/475-davejenknz-s-Blog Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:27:10 GMT There was a POM who came to New Zealand via South Africa. In serendipitous circumstances a 49 year old POM, software developer managed to get an invite from the only country in the world that would accept aging POMs. Australia, which had been the country of my dreams since I was 19, had long... There was a POM who came to New Zealand via South Africa.
In serendipitous circumstances a 49 year old POM, software developer managed to get an invite from the only country in the world that would accept aging POMs.
Australia, which had been the country of my dreams since I was 19, had long since closed the door. A subsequent holiday to Maloolabaa destroyed the dream.

Fast forward to 2001 and finally I got my full bike license, after riding (since I was 16) on a learner license in four different countries.

First bike was a VTR 250. The first V-Twin.
Next a Yamaha SRX400. Horrible bike,
Next a Suzuki VX800 nice but quirky bike.

In 2006 I got on bikes again after a two year absence.
First a new FZ6. Thought that I'd try an il4. Didn't like it one bit. Horrid suspension, brakes and motor.

Then the start of an Era. I traded the FZ6 after 6 months on a 2003 Monster M800S.i.e.
What a great bike and I'm sure, the start of a long line of Ducs.
A fall on the taka's saw the (bent) M800 traded in for my new love. A 2003 S4.
Read on. ]]> davejenknz https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/475-davejenknz-s-Blog