my 1st motorcycle

[usmc2111]

im looking for a motorcycle and i love ducati's and am looking for ducati's to buy. but people are telling me not to get a ducati as a first bike., they tell me to get a r6 or a gsx-r, should i listen to their advice or not? i really like the monster, i test drove a '09 696, i fell in love with it. so what do you guys think should i stay with getting a ducati or no?

[elmangaso]

Welcome to the forums? I'm new here as well...I'm also a relatively new rider (4 years). My first bike was a Suzuki gs500f, a good bike to learn on. I traded that in for a Monster 1100 a few months ago. IMHO, unless you are wealthy and money isn't a concern, the Ducati is not a good choice for a first bike. As a new rider, you are almost guaranteed to drop or crash your bike at some point in the first year. It will be extremely expensive to repair a Ducati, even for minor cosmetic damage.  In fact, I would not go with a new bike at all. If you really want to own a Ducati eventually, spend as little as possible on a used bike (late model gs500 or sv650). Then, after a year or so, re-evaluate your needs. If you're comfortable handling the bike, maybe even bored, then move up to a Ducati.

Of course, even a few years of riding won't save you from crashing. I was riding my new Monster to the dealer for it's first service in June when I low-sided on gravel in a tight turn. Gravel was only partly to blame. I still wasn't used to the bike. Over $3000 for parts & labor. Point is, if i had done that in my first year, on a Ducati, I would probably been turned off to riding for good.

[DCXCV]

You might want to adjust your poll to have four choices. 
New
Used
Ducati
Other Bike

I'd vote Used Ducati.  You can pick up a 620 or 695 for a significant savings over a 696 and, provided you still like the style, it's win/win.  You don't have to worry quite so much about that first quasi-inevitable drop and you still get a bike you'll love rather than one you feel like you stuck yourself with.  Any of the Ducati 6XX bikes are way more forgiving for a beginner than an R6 or GSXR 600.

I bought a 695 new for my first bike and 2 1/2 years later i still like it, but would have had a lot more mods done and cash in my pocket if I'd snagged a 620 instead. And, knock on wood, 30,100 miles later I still haven't dropped it. 

[somegirl]

I definitely recommend a used bike as your first one.   Lot less heartbreak when it gets dropped the first time.

As far as Ducs vs. other bikes?

Well, a used 620 would be far better than a GSXR or R6 (stay away from those, they are NOT beginner-friendly).

However, my personal recommendation would be a used Suzuki GS500, Ninja 250 or 500, or one of the small dual-sports. 
They are more forgiving when you are learning the basic coordination of riding a motorcycle.   There's a pretty steep learning curve at first.  These bikes are really easy to sell when you are ready to move on to your 2nd bike, and people typically get a similar amount to what they paid for it (some even get more).

Also, don't forget to look into the insurance costs.

A brand-new bike will be more expensive to insure than an older bike.
A sportbike will be more expensive to insure than a standard bike (Monster classification depends on the specific insurance company)
A larger engine will be more expensive to insure than a smaller one.
etc.

Finally, why spend a lot of money on your first bike before you know how much you'll like it and how much you'll ride it, and what your style of riding is and what you really like in a bike?

Good luck and please keep us posted, feel free to ask other questions as well.
There's been some other discussions on just this topic, mostly in the General Monster Forum.

[usmc2111]

ya i should change the voting options, but i got lazy...i was thinking a used ducati, late 90's early 2000's. something around there. ive been searching and just looking at different bikes. i just want some help because i really love ducati's.

[stopintime]

 

I know there is a lot of well meant advice in this thread - as it usually is here on the DMF.

BUT what's the point?

USMC2111 is in love with his first bike. Nothing we say will (or should?) change that.
It's useless to resist - get your Ducati and enjoy the love story!
When I tried to use logic to stay away from my Ducati, a good friend said "the heart has it's own logic"

Although - be prepared for a high maintenance relationship

[DarkMonster620]

im looking for a motorcycle and i love ducati's and am looking for ducati's to buy. but people are telling me not to get a ducati as a first bike., they tell me to get a r6 or a gsx-r, should i listen to their advice or not? i really like the monster, i test drove a '09 696, i fell in love with it. so what do you guys think should i stay with getting a ducati or no?

NO NO with the jap pocket rockets... Yes on either: used M620 or Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Ninja 250/500...I'm still recuperating from an accident on Jan 6th on my M620D[front wheel, right side rearsets, right side turn signals, one tire, plus 8 months and counting without riding...]

Listen to the elders in Ducati World, go with a used midsized jap or if you really want a Duc, M620......preferably Dark.

[usmc2111]

thanx for all the advice guys, keep it coming,  its good to hear about other ducati owners and their experiences