Two weeks ago, after months and months of endless hours of research on which brand and type bike I wanted, I came to the decision on purchasing Ducati, but more specifically, a Scrambler Nightshift. This bike is still somewhere in the ocean just waiting to port but in the meantime, I knew I would want to inquire with someone from Ducati to get all of the details. I opened up my phone and started searching for All Ducati dealerships within a 100 mile radius and I figured, lets give Newport Beach a shot.
I contacted the store on my way home from work and Aaron Klink answered. Let me start off by saying that I have never had the pleasure of meeting Aaron in person but what an awesome person to speak to over the phone. The guy is kind, laid back, absolutely genuine. We talked for about 10 minutes and we decided to put a deposit on the Nightshift. Never in my life did I think I would potentially own a Ducati but here we are starting the process and man was I excited. Fast forward a week.. I'm researching everything Ducati, the brand, the history everything. I'm watching Jay Leno's Garage and youtube videos in Italian and German lol... and then here comes the audible, I instantly fall in love with the Monster.
Two completely different bikes, I know. But did I really want my first Ducati to be a Scrambler or Monster? Don't get me wrong, the Scrambler is a really cool bike.. but was I going to take the bike on the dirt ever? Probably not. That's what my beast of a 4runner is for. I wanted to own something that had the classic Ducati look that would turn heads. I immediately called back Aaron and so now my deposit was riding on the New 2021 Monster. But that delivery wait for the 2021 is 2-3 months out (and thats probably hopeful considering there are 30 cargo ships outside the LA Port waiting to port). So here we go again.. the wait game.. but what about the 2020 Monster? they might have one of those in stock?! I start researching the hell out of that bike and realize I don't want a Ducati with out the Trellis frame. Not for my first bike, I want to purchase a piece of that history. For the third time in two weeks I called the dealership (They must be sick of me now). Dave Daniel, answers the call, "yep we have one on the floor". Was this it? Was it going to happen today? I drove down as soon as I left the office and I couldn't be anymore excited. Get there and see the bike. Jesse who was assisting Dave was incredibly cool. He rolled the bike out for me and showed me some of the mods that customers have done on their Monsters and we talked bike.
Jesse heads back inside and leaves me w/ the bike as we wait for Dave who was helping another customer close out their deal. I then ended up meeting and speaking to a gentleman by the name of Mike. We must have talked a good 30-35 minutes about bikes and specifically the monster and all of the changes to come with the 2021. Peoples thoughts on the new design etc amongst many other things. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him and really was just a great person to speak to. It's now 5:30 and they close in 30 and it's decision time. I decided this was it. This was the bike I wanted to pursue. So I let Dave know that I wanted to discuss numbers. We sit down and have the greatest conversation and after about 20 minutes of talking, here comes Sadie, who cracks the greatest joke and honestly at this point, I'm convinced of two things, I was going home with a Ducati and this has got to be one of the greatest places to work at.
It's now right about closing time and Mike comes over to say goodbye, fist bumps me and heads out. Dave says.. "So what did you think of the owner". I was in absolute disbelief. Mike was the owner?!? One of the most humble dudes. I honestly felt honored he took that much time from his day to speak with me. Dave and I sign the paperwork while cracking jokes and having great conversation, and that's all she wrote. Today my bike was delivered by Edwin. Third happiest day of my life. Marrying my wife was first, welcoming our children, and now being an owner of a Ducati.
I know I wrote a lot but I'll end with this much. From my very first conversation w/ Aaron over the phone to meeting Dave, Jesse, Sadie and Mike, Adrian and lastly Edwin, I really feel like I was welcomed into the Ducati family. These are names that have stuck with me. I don't know what it would have been like if I had purchased in Beverly Hills or elsewhere, but if I didn't convince you to check out Ducati Newport Beach then look at their other COUNTLESS 5 star reviews. read more