Ducati Official Club Rider Spotlight: Greg Monahan

One such person is Greg Monahan: rider, leader, and the original engine behind much of DOCNZ’s early momentum.

A Passion Born Early
Born in Westport in 1962 and raised in Nelson, Greg’s fascination with motorcycles began before he could even reach the handlebars. Growing up just up the road from a motorbike shop, he vividly remembers staring at the rows of gleaming machines, dreaming of the day he’d have one of his own.

Greg’s career took him around the country, from Nelson to Palmerston North, back to Nelson, on to Christchurch, and eventually home to Nelson again. Through it all, one constant remained: motorcycles. He began collecting bikes, drawn to their beauty and performance.

Greg’s Ducati Road machines over the years included the Ducati 907IE (the one that started it all), Ducati 900SS, Ducati 748 Biposta, Ducati 916SP (once raced by the legendary Robert Holden), Ducati 400F3, Ducati 851 Tricolore and the Ducati 848 Corse Special Edition.
“I’m a bit of a magpie,” Greg says. “I get drawn to beautiful, shiny things.”

In the early 1990s, Greg joined the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club (IMOC) in Palmerston North and quickly got involved in organising rides and rallies. A highlight was the legendary Summer Italia events, held in a rustic YMCA camp with tents, bunkrooms, a band, bike displays, and the kind of camaraderie only Ducatisti understand.

By 1995, Greg had been elected National President of IMOC. At a time when “cut and paste” literally meant scissors and glue, Greg took over as editor of Motociclismo, the club newsletter. With the introduction of Microsoft Publisher, the magazine evolved into a professional publication, another testament to his vision and tech-savvy drive. He also pioneered three early “Turismo” tours around the South Island in the mid-90s, years before they became a formal tradition.

Life in the Fast Lane: Racing Years
Greg’s Ducati devotion led him to the track. In 1998, he raced in the BEARS 10th Anniversary National Series, winning the Clubman Class nationally on his 748. A year later, during the Suzuki Series, a crash on his 916SP at Manfield left him with serious injuries: seven broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade, and a punctured lung. That moment marked the end of his racing days. “It hurt, and it cost you in every possible way,” he reflects.

The Birth of DOCNZ
After stepping down as IMOC President in 2000, Greg worked behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for a dedicated Ducati club in New Zealand. The vision became reality in 2002 and the DOCNZ was born.

Later that year, Greg presented at the Ducati Turismo event in Australia, showing what the NZ community was capable of. In 2003, after moving to Christchurch, he began planning the first National Ducati Rally (NDR).

Ducati Rallies: Building a Legacy
Together with a dedicated team, Greg planned and ran these unforgettable NDRs in 2003 at St Arnaud Lodge Nelson Lakes, NDR 2005 at St Arnaud Lodge Nelson Lakes, NDR 2012 at Heritage Hotel Hanmer Springs, NDR 2013 at Wairakei Resort Taupo, NDR 2014 at Heritage Hotel Hanmer Springs, NDR 2015 at Wairakei Resort Taupo and NDR 2016 at Oakridge Resort, Wanaka

Representing NZ on the Global Stage
In 2012, Greg proudly represented DOCNZ at the World Presidents Meeting in Italy. There, under the spotlight in the Ducati Store, he spotted the 848 Corse SE on a rotating turntable. “Six months later,” he says, “my new bike arrived in Christchurch.”

A New Chapter
In 2017, Greg sold his beloved 848 Corse SE and shifted gears, launching his own photography and videography business. While his garage may be without a bike today, his Ducati leathers and helmets still hang in pride of place ever ready, always reminding him of the ride.

As we mark 25 years of DOC, we thank Greg Monahan for the spark, the spirit, and the road he helped pave. His story is a reminder that Ducati ownership is more than machines, it's about community, passion, and legacy.