Yes, my subject is a line from Shawshank, like the movie we'll never know whether it is or isn't the case as I suspect I will be beaten to death in the very near future (read on)

Name: Cliff
Location: Alexandria, VA
Bike(s): '12 m796
How long you've been riding: Since last weekend
Anything else you'd like to share: Obviously with my extensive bike experience I know just about everything there is to know, just don't ask me to prove it.

It took 16 years to build up the courage to disappoint my mom and buy a bike... 16 yrs and counting cause she doesn't know what I just did.

If I brought beer and doughnuts I'd just eat em all and I am (and will be in perpituity)on a diet so we all suffer.

Welcome and be careful that's a lot of bike for a first bike. You picked a beautiful one.

Welcome Cliff!

Welcome!

Excellent taste!  Just go easy and watch all the idiots on 4 wheels who don't see you. Did you take any riding course? Regardless, ride with some experienced riders as often as you can and watch what they do to survive.

You might also consider a 14T front sprocket ASAP as it will make the bike happier, quicker and easier for you to manage in traffic.

Rubber side down!

Welcome Cliff,

when you get some time stop by local section if you havent already :

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=20.0

Great topic Cliff! 

Motorcyclists here are sometimes referred to as 'Temporary Australians'.  Not sure if we stole it from someone else but there is a show by that name as well!

Welcome. As Zulu mentioned theres a local section for the DC metro area - though the bulk of folks live scattered around NoVA. I live in southern most, almost alexandria Arlington, and ducFrank lives across the street. Other miscreants are in all around.

So go say hey in CAM and keep an eye on things. There's usually someone or another organizing a ride, meet up or other. And if/when you're ready to go out with other folks just say so - and if you're looking to pick up some tips/follow as a new rider just ask. We've got some real quick guys in CAM, but just as happy to help a newer rider learn.

As I've mentioned in a CAM thread or two, I like Clifton as training ground and I've taken a couple newer riders down there. There's a loop one can make, that's not to long so it's easy to repeat in short order which is a good learning tool. It's got a couple good stopping points as well that allow for easy/ safe stops to chat as well. So if something like that sounds appealing just let me/us know. And now I have a camera! So I can capture sins!

So welcome - we'll see you around

Gentleman, thank u for the warm welcome. To answer a few questiones posed:
I took the MSF Safety class the week before I got the bike.
My best friend has been riding for a while and took me for a ride to Frederick and Annapolis last weekend.....sink or swim. I did well, I felt comfortable and confident. The benefit of buying my first bike at 32 and not 22 is that, wel, I'm not the jackass I was at 22. I've found that fast is fun, safe is more fun.

I did a ton of research on the 796 as a first bike and the general consensus was that it would work well as a first bike, for the right kind of beginner.  Just as importantly for me, I wouldn't grow out of it anytime soon.

I am making my way to the local section as of this sentence, look forward to talking to all of you.

All that sounds reasonable. Get used to the idiots and remember that most light aircraft crashes occur between 250 - 500 hours!  Same thing applies to bikes. First you learn..., and then you learn.

The 796 is no beginner bike. Mine is my 33rd bike and 8th Ducati. Tastes vary. The evo had more amplitude in its power pulses than I wanted. 4-valves are smoother and 1100 might be OK there. The 796 goes faster than you need on the street and plenty of power in reserve. It will spoil you. 

Consider the 14T I suggested and make sure you get the one specifically for the 796. You'll enjoy the bike more and may even get to use 6th occasionally. Don't lug it. The bike gets better and better as it breaks in!

Have Fun!

Took a ride on Skyline drive Saturday. Left the house at 730 to try to beat the heat. Thoroughly enjoyed going up the twistes, loved it so much we did it twice. Going down was a lil .....interesting, but still fun. The ride home was at about noon, talk about smokin a$$ hot!

I've got pics but I've never figured out how to post on these things from my iPad

Quote from: Cdawg410 on July 09, 2012, 04:12:29 PM
Took a ride on Skyline drive Saturday. Left the house at 730 to try to beat the heat. Thoroughly enjoyed going up the twistes, loved it so much we did it twice. Going down was a lil .....interesting, but still fun. The ride home was at about noon, talk about smokin a$$ hot!

I've got pics but I've never figured out how to post on these things from my iPad

You need to host your pics on a photo hosting site and link to them.

We are never going on a local group ride.. EVER! .. I have the same exact jacket 

And Massiono has the same haircut...or lack of. And the bike OMG we all have Monsters?! Who knew 

It only means we have similar taste; not that we can't be friends  . At any rate, as long as its not raining I'm always up for a ride.