Hey all, I don't have a Monster just yet, but I'm in the market for one now, so I joined to get some info on the bikes.
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of great conversations that go on here. Unfortunately, you will find a significant bias toward Italian bikes, specifically the Monster line (which is to be expected). You might want to visit the Tech section, as many of your questions about the bike may be answered.
Hola.
Where abouts in VA? There's a pretty good number of folks in the DC-Balto corridor and several more scattered around as you get away from the biggest cities.
We've a local section, CAM and a thread in there dedicated to CL listings and such. So if you get serious folks are happy to help.
And as said, plenty of info here and people to ask questions of, if you're ready for the leanings. Despite it being a 'monster' board, people here are pretty open
minded.
Well, I drive a Cobalt SS, so I'm pretty used to haters! Any good recommendations for a first time rider? I'm looking at a '12 796 that's for sale at the dealer nearby.
Quote from: ldouce90 on September 23, 2011, 06:41:50 PM
Well, I drive a Cobalt SS, so I'm pretty used to haters! Any good recommendations for a first time rider? I'm looking at a '12 796 that's for sale at the dealer nearby.
You've never ridden a bike and you want to learn on a 796? Why not learn the basics on a standard bike and then move to Ducati? (Not suggesting you don't have good taste! ;)) Are you a Marine? FBI? Would you teach basic pistol marksmanship to a neophite and hand him a competition-grade 9mm with a 1.5# trigger?!
More info?
Marine, that's probably why I'm looking at bikes out of my class...
I considered getting a Ninja 250, but every person I've known that has gotten one has sold it not too long afterwards. I'd like to get a 696, but the salesman at Coleman Powersports said they were discontinued (of course, he also said the new 796 had a dry clutch [roll])
You can find a Ninja 250 on Craigslist for a decent price, learn on it, then sell it and get back almost the same amount you paid for it. Then you can upgrade to a Duc. I had not heard that the 696 was discontinued... just can't see why, because that model is still selling like crazy.
Quote from: ldouce90 on September 23, 2011, 08:06:42 PM
Marine, that's probably why I'm looking at bikes out of my class...
I considered getting a Ninja 250, but every person I've known that has gotten one has sold it not too long afterwards. I'd like to get a 696, but the salesman at Coleman Powersports said they were discontinued (of course, he also said the new 796 had a dry clutch [roll])
Take a ride out to Duc Pond and get the straight skinny on the bikes at least. http://www.ducpond.com/ (http://www.ducpond.com/) Check out this thread too. http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2755.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2755.0)
Nothing wrong with a 796 obviously. With a couple of simple mods it will do precisely what you tell it to do with next to zero effort and low input. No bad manners whatever..., but it will do what you tell it to do RIGHT NOW. So, you had better mean it. ;) If you learn on something else, you will appreciate it all the more too. A 796 is not "out of your class" if it's in your budget. I'm just suggesting that you learn you muscle memory on something less likely to bite if you screw up. Ducatis are deceptively fast too, so you might find yourself 30 MPH over the limit before you realize it. I'm sure you have good reflexes and that will be a big plus.
Keep us posted and have fun!
Well, just finalized the purchase on a 2001 M750! Only 7500 miles too, only problem is that it hasn't been ran for three years. He's throwing in two Suomy helmets too. Looks like I got myself a winter project.
Congrats on your purchase!