Discussion
Firstly, sorry that many of us non-bikers seem to be asking your advice so much which first bike to go for but......I've read the other threads and my specific question hasn't been answered (or if it has I didn't understand the "biker" slang in use!
).
I really like the look of Ducati's above any other bike and was wondering if they are suitable as a first bike? I have heard lots of good advice given regarding other makes but I would just like a Ducati.
Cheers in advance.
). I really like the look of Ducati's above any other bike and was wondering if they are suitable as a first bike? I have heard lots of good advice given regarding other makes but I would just like a Ducati.
Cheers in advance.
This is the eternal question. They had a reputation for unreliability until Ducati got some sort of takeover a few years ago, now supposedly better, so get a newer model I think. Like all Italian machinery, bills can be expensive, but the romance of the things outweighs this. I'm sure someone else can enlighten on this. If you are thinking of getting a 996/998/748 race rep thing then definately get a test drive first. People do commute on them!! I'd recommend testing some sort of sports 600 too (Honda CBR600 or Yamah R6). The biggest thing I think when beginning riding is get lots of miles under your belt to get experience, and do not push things throttle/bend wise until you are used to where the power band/acceleration is. Go out for rides and find your limits. I read somewhere that you are most likely to have an accident in the first two weeks of riding. Unless you are planning to do a lot of track days then you will find that sports 600's are as quick on the road as one litre sports as they are lighter..
Ultimately I suggest you read through various editorials to get a picture of what is best for what you are looking for out of a bike.. If your heart is set on a Ducati then I would get a recent 996/998 with race pipes etc, Ducati's are beautiful and sound it too, assuming you can get insurance for the thing....as far as a first bike goes....depends if your think you will be sensible on it until you're used to the power....if you can control the urge to open it up until you are used to the power then you should be fine, at the end of the day it will only go as fast as you open the throttle.....do you think a ferrari would be a suitable first car? for me, I am glad I didn't get a 1L sports beast straight away, as I probably would have overcooked it, I got a 600 instead, plenty fast enough (0-60 sub 4s) and great to build up experience. I learnt to get my knee down on it. Besides I coudn't get insurance on 1L sports anyway (I am 28) due to lack of riding experience.
>> Edited by DimmaDan on Friday 19th July 18:12
Ultimately I suggest you read through various editorials to get a picture of what is best for what you are looking for out of a bike.. If your heart is set on a Ducati then I would get a recent 996/998 with race pipes etc, Ducati's are beautiful and sound it too, assuming you can get insurance for the thing....as far as a first bike goes....depends if your think you will be sensible on it until you're used to the power....if you can control the urge to open it up until you are used to the power then you should be fine, at the end of the day it will only go as fast as you open the throttle.....do you think a ferrari would be a suitable first car? for me, I am glad I didn't get a 1L sports beast straight away, as I probably would have overcooked it, I got a 600 instead, plenty fast enough (0-60 sub 4s) and great to build up experience. I learnt to get my knee down on it. Besides I coudn't get insurance on 1L sports anyway (I am 28) due to lack of riding experience.
>> Edited by DimmaDan on Friday 19th July 18:12
As Ducati owner (916), I might be biased but reliability has been very good, however I don't think 916/748/996/998/999 etc is a good first bike & not good for commuting either (surprisingly good MPG though) as very uncomfortable at low speed caused by too much weight on wrists at less than 80mph! and the clutch action is very heavy - "dry" clutches are the weak point and don't last long, but are very easy to change (about 10 mins and you only need 5mm & 4mm allen keys)
The biggest downside is that to keep it running right you need proper, read - expensive, servicing every 6000 miles (all valves need setting by shims) not for the DIY mechanic, I have paid as much as £550 and as little as £220 for servicing, depending on what needed doing -cambelts NEED changing regularly as they are under a lot of stress and if they break it is big $$$$$$$$$$ (not to mention dangerous if engine seizes in mid-bend!)
Whilst all Ducatis need expert servicing the 2-valve engined bikes; Monster, SS, ST2 etc are less expensive, (not to be confused with cheap!) these bikes make better first bikes, particularly IMHO the Monster (not the S4 as it is 916 engined!) which is easy to ride, low seat (for shorties!), good-handling (with hi-rise cans) fast enough for a first bike (although the 600 is a bit weak) and above all well-balanced (they say if you can't wheelie a monster - you can't wheelie), and the 900 version sounds the dog's with open pipes.
If you look at quoted power figures etc (Ducati's are low in comparison to Jap bikes) don't be disapointed as all Ducatis (with possible exception of 600 Monster) punch above their weight - my 916 puts out "only" about 110HP but has no problem keeping up with bikes of 140 - 150HP in "the real world" and would leave most Jap bikes behind in the "twisties"
BTW my first bike was also a Ducati - a 1968 (i had it in '78) Scrambler 250, which I used and abused for 3 years with bugger-all servicing until it "died" - great fun!
Sorry for the lengthy rant but if you fancy one and can afford to run it then go for it, you will not be dissapointed.
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:44
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:45
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:48
The biggest downside is that to keep it running right you need proper, read - expensive, servicing every 6000 miles (all valves need setting by shims) not for the DIY mechanic, I have paid as much as £550 and as little as £220 for servicing, depending on what needed doing -cambelts NEED changing regularly as they are under a lot of stress and if they break it is big $$$$$$$$$$ (not to mention dangerous if engine seizes in mid-bend!)
Whilst all Ducatis need expert servicing the 2-valve engined bikes; Monster, SS, ST2 etc are less expensive, (not to be confused with cheap!) these bikes make better first bikes, particularly IMHO the Monster (not the S4 as it is 916 engined!) which is easy to ride, low seat (for shorties!), good-handling (with hi-rise cans) fast enough for a first bike (although the 600 is a bit weak) and above all well-balanced (they say if you can't wheelie a monster - you can't wheelie), and the 900 version sounds the dog's with open pipes.
If you look at quoted power figures etc (Ducati's are low in comparison to Jap bikes) don't be disapointed as all Ducatis (with possible exception of 600 Monster) punch above their weight - my 916 puts out "only" about 110HP but has no problem keeping up with bikes of 140 - 150HP in "the real world" and would leave most Jap bikes behind in the "twisties"
BTW my first bike was also a Ducati - a 1968 (i had it in '78) Scrambler 250, which I used and abused for 3 years with bugger-all servicing until it "died" - great fun!
Sorry for the lengthy rant but if you fancy one and can afford to run it then go for it, you will not be dissapointed.
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:44
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:45
>> Edited by cazzo on Saturday 20th July 13:48
I would only be buying the bike as a weekend, nice night ride and not for communting so mileage and servicing, etc should be kept down.
I just think Ducati's are the best looking bikes and I like their image, etc. However, I guess due to my lack of experience I should be sensible....my mother will be pleased!! Therefore I think I will go for a 600, as said before it will still be quick enough, and build up my experience. I guess I'm like many others I want to run before I can walk, and as I could afford a larger bike I am tempted to go straight to that level. However, brain must come before heart....but a Ducati will be mine in the future!!!
Cheers for the input!
I just think Ducati's are the best looking bikes and I like their image, etc. However, I guess due to my lack of experience I should be sensible....my mother will be pleased!! Therefore I think I will go for a 600, as said before it will still be quick enough, and build up my experience. I guess I'm like many others I want to run before I can walk, and as I could afford a larger bike I am tempted to go straight to that level. However, brain must come before heart....but a Ducati will be mine in the future!!!
Cheers for the input!
Hmmm. I read the question and initially thought you were on a wind-up but I'll give you the benefit of doubt.
Most folks think of 748/916/996 or 998 when they talk Ducati and with any of those models I would say forget it. They are extreme sportsbikes and high maintenance as well. It would be the equivalent of putting a 17 year old in a Ferrari. Whatever your intentions may be - you would be hugely inexperianced and a potentially lethal liability.
ST2's and ST4's are a bit big, and more tourer oriented, so that leaves the Monster range. You have 600cc, 750cc or 900cc. I would suggest that a Monster 600 would actually make quite a good starter bike as its low seat height, relatively low power and "nakedness" are all the attributes that a first bike should have.
You definately do not want a bike with tons of expensive plastic as invariably you will crash or fall over. More power is not necessarily the be-all and end-all on a bike, going round a corner in a car too fast is hugely different to getting it wrong on a bike.
And don't even get me started about Sunday riders. They are without doubt the worst riders out there. Imagine if you only ever drove a car for 2 hours on weekends when it was sunny. So you accumulate about 20 hours bum-in-set riding a year and then sit atop a 150bhp superbike.
By all means join the biking fraternity, and I would welcome you with open arms, but be realistic about a first bike. Being able to afford the best is a long way off being able to actually ride the best.
Lecture over
>> Edited by apguy on Tuesday 23 July 23:06
Most folks think of 748/916/996 or 998 when they talk Ducati and with any of those models I would say forget it. They are extreme sportsbikes and high maintenance as well. It would be the equivalent of putting a 17 year old in a Ferrari. Whatever your intentions may be - you would be hugely inexperianced and a potentially lethal liability.
ST2's and ST4's are a bit big, and more tourer oriented, so that leaves the Monster range. You have 600cc, 750cc or 900cc. I would suggest that a Monster 600 would actually make quite a good starter bike as its low seat height, relatively low power and "nakedness" are all the attributes that a first bike should have.
You definately do not want a bike with tons of expensive plastic as invariably you will crash or fall over. More power is not necessarily the be-all and end-all on a bike, going round a corner in a car too fast is hugely different to getting it wrong on a bike.
And don't even get me started about Sunday riders. They are without doubt the worst riders out there. Imagine if you only ever drove a car for 2 hours on weekends when it was sunny. So you accumulate about 20 hours bum-in-set riding a year and then sit atop a 150bhp superbike.
By all means join the biking fraternity, and I would welcome you with open arms, but be realistic about a first bike. Being able to afford the best is a long way off being able to actually ride the best.
Lecture over
>> Edited by apguy on Tuesday 23 July 23:06
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff