Big Bike for a beginner....

[RizzoTheRat]

There's certainly a massive reliability difference between modern Ducatti's and those from 10-15 years ago, dunno if the same is true for other Italian bikes though.

[odyssey2200]

Well the Monster and RSV were brand spankin' new so maintenance was not an issue.

The 916 required constant maintenence so it was never neglected.

Oh, and I used to work with a guy that owned a Laverda 650.

When I joined the company it was off the road waiting for a part, having suffered a charging system problem.

When I left the company (over 2 years later) he was still waiting for this part.

[Hogg920]

Whatever i end up getting, its purely going to be for fun use and hooning about in he summer, garaged in winter and probably won't see (much) rain or a commuter miles, so day in day out reliability in not so much of an issue, that said i would prefer something that isn't going to cost a kings ransom to repair when it does go wrong. At the end of the day, some of the suggestions have given me some food for thought, when the time comes im going to have to take a fair few bikes for a test before i find the right one for me....if it was based purely on looks though it would be an SXV all day long lol

[odyssey2200]

Hogg920 said:

Whatever i end up getting, its purely going to be for fun use and hooning about in he summer, garaged in winter and probably won't see (much) rain or a commuter miles, so day in day out reliability in not so much of an issue, that said i would prefer something that isn't going to cost a kings ransom to repair when it does go wrong. At the end of the day, some of the suggestions have given me some food for thought, when the time comes im going to have to take a fair few bikes for a test before i find the right one for me....if it was based purely on looks though it would be an SXV all day long lol

Imagine how gutted you are going to be if on the one sunny day we get, your pampered and garaged bike won't start because it has come over all Italian.

You can stand on the end of your driveway and wave your mates goodbye as they go for a ride without you.

[MJDM]

Ah yes, I forgot... ALL Italian bikes NEVER start when its sunny and you want to go for a ride with your pals... OP, best you buy the Yamaha to avoid this catastrophic disappointment waiting to happen

[Matbmx1]

Don't buy an sxv they are pretty much race bikes! Not a good first bike take the father in laws advice hell know bikes well enough to recommend something I'm sure.