Hi......1st Ducati??

bluehawk

bluehawk

New member
Hi All

1st post on here, so be gentle...

Passed my CBT last year, about to do my DAC so possibly a bike in the summer, question is, do I buy a banger to get me going or do what I'm proposing and starting on a Sportsbike?

Ideally, I want to own a 999 eventually (for so many reasons!!), but I think I already know the answer to this, is it too much for me as a novice??

And if not what do you suggest? If it helps I'm heading for 40 and have a more sensible head, have always wanted a bike and more specifically a Ducati. Am six foot, so didn't want to have a tyre hanging out of my ar**. (Sounds like match.com!)

And no, a jap bike wouldn't be my first option (just because just about everyone I know who has a bike has told me to steer clear of Italian metal.)


Thanks in advance..
 
hi Bluehawk:welcome:,
Nothing to stop you starting on an Ducati, sports bike/monster/multi.... all possibilities I guess. Common sense would say a monster, less plastic to repair if any spills:dunno:. Your choice tho... good luck with the direct access.:thumbs:
 
Although your height is against you, I would recommend something (relatively) small and certainly underpowered and ill handling. Then thrash it regularly and mercilessly to the absolute limit. Once you have mastered mushy suspension, square tyres, minimal brakes, run wide up the odd verge and had a few scares you will find a Ducati an absolute dream and you will have a good feel for what it's all about :)


It worked for me! :D
 
I don't want to put you off your dream bike beacause part of me says go for it, but thinking about all the bikes that i have owned and ridden, most of them were sh@%, but if i had not had to put up with them i wouldn't have been able to appreciate the difference between sh1te, average and awesome. Also combined with the likelyhood that as a novice it is very very likely that your gonna drop it, we all have, so if you go straight in with a sport bike then your gonna have to dig deep to repair all that broken plastic instead of a new brake or clutch lever and some hammerite!

My first bike was a Yamaha XS250, look in the dictionary under sh1te and it says XS250! I resolved to set fire to this bike on the way home one night because i was passed by a vauxhall chevette full of attractive young ladys coz i was holding the traffic up, and that was me flat out.

The only person qualified to make the decision is you, but i think you would love a monster or hyper, keep it for a few years learn how to ride it then move on to your dream bike, It's not so easy to go backwards on power and handling!
 
I've had a 600 Monster from passing my CBT three years ago and found it had more than enough power for me as a novice and only after a year or two did I feel like I wanted more.

I loved the monster so much that I still have it and, as I do most of my riding around town now, I'll probably just keep it as it's perfectly capable for that type of riding, it's only on the occasional long fast runs that I now feel it a bit under powered.

I've never had a Ducati sports bike to compare it to, but my wife has an R6, twice the power, twice as quick, twice the price and I wouldn't thank you for it, but then again I'm an old git and the monster does me just fine LOL.

Good luck with your CBT and choosing a bike and welcome to the club!
 
first bike

Welcome mate . You should have a a bash at a Hypermotard it was my first DUCATI apart from some issues that you expect from Italian bikes . Its more like a relationship than anything . I have awned a few bikes and dealt with more than a few bike dealers and think that Ducati Glasgow is the best shop i have ever dealt with . So good luck with your C B T and bring on the Ducati anyone will do as they are really good bikes to own and ride yeeeeeeeeeeee haaaaaaa .:flash:
 
When I passed my test, I went across the road to Alvins, flashed my bit of paper and took a 999 out on a test ride straight away. I rode it slowly (and nervously) along to the bypass at the A1 and opened it up banging through the gears hitting about 140mph. The result........nearly threw myself of the back and I @@@@ing sh@t myself to be honest. :D

I took it back and said no thanks but hummed and hawed as I really wanted one. Pete, who worked there as a salesman talked me out of getting something smaller as he said you would regret not buying your dream bike, whatever you bought you would look at it and say why didnt I get the 999? Whats this piece of crap Ive bought?

Settled in the end for the 749s, more than plenty power for the road and arguably much more fun..........:)
 
When I came back to biking I restored a 1980's Z750 which was my first 'big bike' and found it had enough power to start with.

I then bought the St2 and love the sport-touring format.....comfy but sporty when you want and plenty of Ducati V grunt. The St series of bikes are a good place to start and used can be picked up for very reasonable money.....a good starting point and stepping stone towards your 999.

Lots of choice.....the decision is yours and the type of bike you would prefer if you dont go straight to your dream bike!

Happy days....:D
 
What these guys have already said is true. I had a Jap 600 when I past, when I got it, it was a cat D. I made a mistake as a novice and it became a cat B. I then bought a 749s and although 95% it did what it said in brochure, it lacked top-end. Whilst holding onto the 749s, my pal lent me his 996 for 3 months and I loved the grunt and power over the 749s. However as Davie as mentioned the 749 is more than capable to do what you would want it for and after using th 996 I found I could ride the 749 a whole lot better, but remember any mistakes and it could be expensive.

With the benefit of hindsight an old, but clean 750 monster would be a good mix for you and should mistakes happen its only levers and footpegs to replace. Most people put R&G crash bungs onto assist. The plastics can be expensive and you wouldn't be embarrassed by Jap bikes either. Although the 1098R I have is awesome, I get just as much enjoyment out of the Hyper. The 1098R is a similar to a Blackbird SR71, its stu-pendously quick. The Hyper is great especially on the twisties, you can have alot of fun on it too. If I was starting out or was looking for a 3rd bike it would be the new Monster 1100s, its better than brilliant. Just a shame it took me 5 years to realise it and think about a naked bike as a 2nd option.

Welcome and Good luck..
 
I'd go along with Curriedug. If you want a Ducati that's practical, comfy, handles well and still has a sporty edge to it without being scary then the STs are great bikes to start your Ducati career on and they can be bought quite cheaply. Your height might make you feel a little cramped on a Monster.

Being tall, you might like the more upright Multistrada . Plenty of choice to whet your appetite there !. And once you get one you can come on SDC runs for some good days out !.

Happy bike-hunting !
 
Many thanks for all of your replies, I'l take them under consideration...! Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the welcome!

ATB

G
 
I still think the best beginner bike Ducati made was the 620 multistrada, high flat bars, not too aggressive a riding position, a reasonable amount of protection without a full fairing, not too powerful an engine but enough to have fun and could be used for commuting or big days out. Worth checking out if you can find one.
 
Gizmo said:
I still think the best beginner bike Ducati made was the 620 multistrada, high flat bars, not too aggressive a riding position, a reasonable amount of protection without a full fairing, not too powerful an engine but enough to have fun and could be used for commuting or big days out. Worth checking out if you can find one.
Click to expand...

I think there was one for sale on here last year. Could check it out if you're interested.:D
 
I don't think I'd recommend a 999 (or any Superbike) as a first bike when you pass your test.

Ideally you want something where there is a bit less power but still with good brakes, handling, etc.

The smaller engined bikes in the monster range, the Multistrada, and the SS range all offer good options (you'll need to buy secondhand as most of these are out of production).
 
999

firstly, don't ride at 140 mph or you'll no be getting any ducati.
one way or another,
take it easy...........
 
smokinsmalks said:
My first bike was a Yamaha XS250, look in the dictionary under sh1te and it says XS250!
Click to expand...

This was my 2nd bike which I bought new and was the worst £700 I ever spent! It broke down refusing to start load several times.

I had traded in a CB250k4 which was far better enginewise though I had not realised the Avon SM rear tyre was a pile of pish.

I traded the XS in for a Z650 and what a superb bike that was. Toured round Scotland twice on it, once with a pillion.
 
Hi and welcome along to DUN. Good advice above from the guys n girls. I can recommend the monster thoroughly. Mine is a 900 and, although I disliked it immensely as my very first bike after passing my test about 12 years ago, after a wee while I had learned how to "ride Ducati" and how to use it properly (its different from "other" bikes ;)) and have never looked back since:D If the height is an issue on the monster then try the others (I'm 5'10" and have no probs on it)

Good luck with the DAC - looking forward to seeing you out and about in the summertime:)
 
bike ?

Welcome,

I would say get your self a 750/900 carb, belt drive, throw away plastic's quality bars & rear sets and get out there and find its limits, you will be suprised. Look hard enough you could obtain somthing to thrash about a bit between £900/1200 ride it, enjoy it and learn the art in the real world. then strip it and flog the bits you get most your money back and move on to somthing more fitting.

749s very good bike to aim for makes a half decent rider a good one and the motor much is more user friendly than 748, though looks are not as 748.

Best of luck, positive attitude on road helps as there are thousends of nutters

Regards
RWG
 
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