Friendly advice to someone who\'s new to this
 

Well I've been around bikes for ages but I am now just getting round doing it for my self better to walk the walk and talk the talk. So what do would everyone out there suggest as a Ducati for a novice I was thinking about a 748. How do I go about looking for a used Ducati in good order and what the price be remember I am on a budget. What about insurance?
Cheers labs for helping a damsel in distress

maybe consider an SS if you want a fully faired bike ... or a Monster if you don't ....

A 748 probably isn't the best bike to learn on unless you have 12 months + experience .....

As for finding one .. well complete your profile with your location and teres bound to be someone local that can help.

Dibs

If you're on a budget a Ducati is probably not the best option. Servicing is costly, as is insurance. A first timer on a 748 will pay a £2000+ premium I would think.

How about an 800SS/1000SS or the M800/S2R/M1000 Monsters?

What level of budget are we talking about here?

Hi Sammy, welcome to the board and hopefuly to Ducatis.
What have you ridden before and where about are you?
:)

Welcome,

As has been said Ducati's are great bikes, but if you're a new rider I wouldn't recommend one, I'd been riding for several years before I took the plunge and they definitely aren't an easy bike to ride, that isn't saying they're a bad bike to ride, just not very forgiving and you'll end up with aches and pains everywhere.

Servicing costs and insurance are something to consider too, but hell if you've got the money and you want a Ducati go for it.... live the dream, all of us pretty much are!!

Now did I hear the mention of a drink? :frog:

Ignore them all Sammy!!

If you want a 748 then you get one :P

I had only been riding 10 months when i got mine and as long as you are sensible it will be ok.

Having said that they are not really the economy ducati for servicing etc, but insurance might not be too bad depending on where you live etc.

If you want a sportsbiek and want a duc then a 748 would be fine, if not then maybe an ss or even a monster.

Welcome anyway :)

There all old fools on here, just go and get yourself a nice sensible Honda!

You meet the nicest people on a Honda!:lol::lol::lol:

748 or 9** not the best choice for a beginner - if you really want to get into the duke thing then start with a monster. Good starter bikes are honda hornet, suzuki bandit or SV650, bit gentler and easier for the beginner. Whereabouts are you?

Welcome Sammy.

What Webby said, Monsters are ace, and then you can spend your time getting to know the 888 or 851 and pick up a real classic. Not that I'm biased at all. LOL.

I can't see where you're based, but if it's roughly South, why don't you drop by for a chat on Sunday's mini Megameet.

Rgds. Rob

See if you can find a 750ss, they are really good fun and easy to maintain. If you are a bit more of a headbanger you could always go 900ss instead.

Not so demanding on the wrists as a 9*6

You can ride them hard on the road and have just as much fun as the 4 valve bikes. Wish I'd kept mine but I'm a bit short of space now. The latest ones aren't universally liked, IMHO the version before looks better and a few people I've talked to who ride the latest ones prefer the older version.

I started on a Monster 600 and it served me well for 18 months before selling it and going over to a 748 (if I could have afforded it I would have kept it as my 'other' bike).

I'm not going to say that a 748 is too powerful etc. for a first bike as it is not my place to comment on anyone else's riding ability (hell, the 748 is an infinitely better bike than I am rider!), but I don't think I would have wanted it as my first bike. The Monster was an ideal start to Ducati ownership and if I am honest, I will probably end up either going back to one or if funds allow, getting another.

As you say you have been around bikes for ages, then none of the above may apply. The Monster was great as a naked bike, but I think you would be disappointed with the performance of a 600 if you are used to Jap 600's. Probably best to go for a 900 or an S4. The 748 can live with Jap 600's easily enough but compared to GSXRs and Ninjas that I have owned, is a whole lot more uncomfy on the road!

I did consider one of the current breed of SS Ducatis and only didn't take this further because the t.wats at Ducati Aylesbury thought it too much hassle to let me test ride one of their bikes. Obviously my 4k wasn't good enough for them!

welcome

insurance will be ok if you ring around, mine was £440 f.comp and that was including a ban and a claim

if you want a 748 you have a 748, get what you want not what others tell yuo to get

Asked and answered ...

http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/vi...d.php?tid=9331

I've riden scooters, yes Vespa's and Lambretta's for many years and just became bored with the scene.

Got me self an Aprilia RS250 12 months back for some track pleasure and more recently the 748s.

You're as safe as you ride and as long as you have some respect for the power it will come in time.

Enjoy the Ducati experience, which ever steed you decide to ride...

go for it!

Ive riden a few bikes (below 250) for many years, but after a long break from bikes I took the plunge in December this year, i bought a 749 Dark before I even passed my test (imagine that, having it sat in the garden just staring at it, not being able to ride!). Past the test, got insurance (1200 full comp, ouch) but hey, pay on installments. Then the servicing. Pity you cant pay them on installments either.

its fairly uncomfy to start with but your body moulds to it after a little while, otherwise get a monster, but either way, drive one first, then try a jap bike, and see how little they inspire. Plainly put, a ducati make you feel special by simply sitting on it, try that on a jap.;) .. (jap 'bike' that is, not a japanese person, although you might be into that kinda thing, each to their own..)

[Edited on 8-4-2005 by sonic]