Does this make me a pussy...?

[cmorgan47]

under 6000, the 696 is incredibly well behaved. 
above 6k, the front wheel gets light quickly.

fortunately, if you follow the breakin, you'll be comfortable by the time you feel that; i.e., the breakin is for the rider as much as the bike.

[sbrguy]

yes you are being a wuss   

but with that being said, who cares what any of us think? you are an adult you can make your own informed decision and take into account your family's needs and such and your own riding safety that is what counts.  nothing we say about monsters/ninjas motorcycles really should factor in.

but seriously it sounds like you have a good plan, get a beater bike just to get back into it, and do the msf to brush up, get the skills back to 100%. and probably keep that ninja as a beater or wet weather bike and get a used monster in a couple of months when they are cheaper at the end of the riding season.

good luck and remember its not about getting riding on a monster asap or for this season, its about you getting back into riding as a lifetime hobby and somethign you can enjoy for years to come.  that is way more important so take the steps necessary to ride safely and get your skills back to where you know you are comfortable.

[somegirl]

Sounds like a smart move.   You will learn a lot, have fun, and save lots of money on your insurance (and possibly repairs too).

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2613.0

[duccarlos]

Without reading any posts or replies, if you had to create a thread asking if you're a pussy, then you most likely are.

[darkduke]

.....ouch

anywho, I'd say you sould like a level headed guy to me. Just go with whatever makes you the most comfortable and confident on the street.

[akmnstr]

Dude!  Forget the 2fiftee and forgit the Duck.  Pick up a used GSXR 7fiftee and let it rip [moto].  Oh, and don't forget a $100 Helmet that matches your shorts and sneakers. 

Whoaaa.   

You sound like exceptional young person.  You are doing this thing the right way.  I say get the little ninja and have a ball. 

[Scottish]

Nuthin wrong with starting on a smaller bike. THat said you seem to have a good head on your shoulders so you'd prolly do just fine on the 696 you've been talking about. I will say it'll be cheaper to fix the 250 if the unthinkable happens. I don't personally know you but from what I've inferred you'll be fine. 

[Jarvicious]

It's a toughie, this pickle you've produced.  I bought my first bike in May and was going through pretty much the same thing you are.  On one hand, I've wanted a bike for as long as i can remember.  My parents had them.  My friends had them, and I'd ridden one or two enough to be totally and instantaneously hooked.  On the other hand, just as panthro said though, I'm 6'3 220lbs and a little baby ninja wasn't going to be enough (having grown up around harleys and gsxr's and the like).  The difference is all in your wrist.  It took me a good month or two to build up the confidence to peg the throttle and go, and that was only on a straight, totally empty highway.  I've not ridden a ninja, or any other smaller displacement bike, but maybe someone can comment on the quality of parts??  I knew Ducati was known for making an exquisite bike that would probably be a lot more accepting to my burbles and errors than maybe some other bike.

I looked at the order of things this way.  Shopping, buying, riding (for however long), selling (big pain in the ass imho), shopping, buying, riding.  There are four steps in there you could easily eliminate.  I have an 05 S2R 800 and it pains me to think about owning anything else.  In the defense of the ninja, it does get a heap better gas mileage (I didn't buy for mileage) and when (not if) you pick up your monster, you can have it as more of a bright and shiny day rider and keep it clean or mod the hell out of it while you still ride the ninja around town.  If your'e really nervous about owning such a nice bike and potentially damaging it, you may want to get something used.  I've found having enough confidence to ride (second of course to overall mileage and experience) makes a big difference in how you fair on the road, at least as far as crashing, dropping it etc...

I can't tell you not to buy the little bike because it sounds like a great idea.  Just giving you the perspective of someone who went the opposite way and never EVER regretted it.

[RavnMonster]

As much as I want to pick up a Monster as soon as I get back stateside,  I think I've reconsidered... but only for a little bit.  I don't have very much riding experience, but took the MSF course over three years ago.  I plan on taking it again as a refresher course in a few months, and would probably be just fine but I want to increase my riding skill a bit more before I sink the cash to purchase my dream bike.

I'm looking at picking up one of the 250cc Ninjas, to tool around on for a while, to get used to riding again.  I haven't decided how long I'll wait before picking up the new Monster (if I don't buy it first anyways  ).  I've heard they're pretty fun to ride, and great to learn on.

I would love to get the Monster first, but being in the Army is dangerous enough, and I have a wife and a newborn to worry about, so it might be better if I get the Ninja to train on first.  Besides, if I crash a Ninja, who cares?    On the flipside, broken Monsters look really sad. 

Any thoughts or advice (insults are welcome too)?


I just bought an S4R about a month or so ago. My first bike. i really never even rode a street bike till I got on the Monster. It is an easy bike to ride and should not be a big deal for you. Just get what you want. Its only going to go as fast as you twist the throttle. I grandma mine around still and still have a great time riding.

Get your monster

[Popeye the Sailor]

For those guys saying the 250 is too small for someone of your size.



I am 6' and 235 (with full gear). It moved me just fine. It was actually more fun on quite a few of the goat trails than my S4R. I would love to buy one.



It's a great starter bike-I can't say enough good things about it. Get the 250-learn to ride well. It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow 

[Jarvicious]

I am 6' and 235 (with full gear). It moved me just fine. It was actually more fun on quite a few of the goat trails than my S4R. I would love to buy one.

Touche honkey.  Touche

[zvezdah1]

buy a couple year old ninja 250 or suzuk gs500, you can ride it for six months or a year and get basically what you paid for it. Cheaper by far then having to fix damage from dropping a monster.

Chris

[mstevens]

Consider a Hyosung GT250 Comet. It's a naked that's a little more Monster-like than the Ninja and cheaper to boot. They sell like hotcakes so the resale market should be decent if you go new, and you should be able to find a used one if you look around. I'd rather drop that a few times while getting comfortable and confident on the street then get the Monster.

[mjlandy]

One of the smartest new riders ever.

Get a smaller bike, and beat the snot out of it. Honestly I am thinking of picking up a 250 or similar just for that purpose, and I ride a CBR 1000 RR.

Big bikes are for big rides, if you are on a base, or local that little bike will be a blast.

Learn how to get the rear out, how to trail brake into a corner, get real good at it, then move up - you will outride anyone on a liter bike with that kind of experience, and you will be safer.

Also please wear your gear.

[x136]

I've heard they're pretty fun to ride,

You've not been misled.

Besides, imagine dropping an immaculate new Monster, and getting a repair bill the size of a nice used 250 Ninja.