Hi from Tampa, FL!

[Fireman1291]

Hey all!

Im a 27 y/o married FF/EMT. My 3rd car garage space is empty minus my gun bench so I have to fill it with something. lol

I've been lurking here awhile and about 5min ago I broke my wife in to letting me get a bike(like I wouldn't anyway, lol...wait, dont tell her that)

I've ridden dirtbikes my whole life(Honda CRF450R mostly) and a Ducati will be my 1st street bike. I'll be ready to buy around Feb/March 2012 and Ill be buying a brand new Black/red frame Monster 796!!!!!

Most of my extra money goes towards guns and class3(silencers, etc) so this is going to be a change when the bike mod bug bites me.

Anyway hope to learn alot and see ya around! 

[bikepilot]

Welcome!  The dirt riding will give you a big head-start on street riding, but of course there will be differences so take it easy to start with and see if you can do a track day and/or track school to really get a feel for the bike if you can.

The M796 is a great choice, I think you'll really like it.  The motor feels sorta like a road-going version of an XR650R - wide power curve and good torque.  Not quite as revvy or instant as the CRF (I had an '05 CRF450R for a bit).

[ZachDDill]

Welcome! I'm from Orlando, not too far.

[knee_dragon]

hey! Im in the tampa area too, I ride with TSB, come join us sometime on a north run, lots of twisties, barely any cars, and not many cops. Its a good route for you to really feel your bike.

[knee_dragon]

hey, your not happening to be going after the one at manx are you? theyve got a sweet red s2r with low miles

[Fireman1291]

No. Im buying a black/red 2012 around feb/march. Im saving up cash now to get the sticker down and pay for gear. And one of my coworkers mentioned north run so ill deff meet up with ya one day. I live off of us41 so im close.

[Fireman1291]

I just put a deposit on this 2012 Monster 1100EVO!

I'm having the dealer install the fender eliminator kit and smoked lens integrated brake/turn signal light. Im picking it up next week!:)








2012 Ducati Monster 1100 evo Black Motorcycle

[Curmudgeon]

Looks good! A lot of Ducati for a first bike though, so take it easy and ride with some old farts on Ducatis who know all the survival skills. These skills are not as obvious as you might think!

You might also strongly consider a 14T front sprocket. That will make break-in and low speed work easier and give you a somewhat useable 6th gear! 

Have a blast and keep the rubber side down!

[Fireman1291]

Yeah, its a lot of bike. But I'll treat it as such. I wont be pushing it.

I wanted the 1100 for the safety pack and adj front fork. Not to mention it sounds INSANE!

[Curmudgeon]

Cool! I'll buy that.

Just be aware that Ducatis are deceptively fast because the engine never seems to be working that hard. You'll look down and find yourself doing 100+. 

Consider a 14T and give those tires 200 miles and check the PSI weekly.

Have Fun!

[Fireman1291]

Thanks for the advice!