well said TJ.

6k for a first bike is way OTT.

In my very honest opnion i wouldn't go for a duke as a first bike,why not a gixxer 600 or Kwak 636?more than enough power for public roads.

And you always crash your first bike,id rather crash a gixxer or kwak than a nice 748.

Im 18 as well,
I had a cagiva mito 125 first and now a 400,both awesome handling bikes and after this summer,im selling my nc30 and getting a TL1000.
and dont want a ducati yet even tho i could buy a 2nd hand one.

plus if you buy a 600,you could buy a decent one for 3300 MAX and save about a grand on insurance and buy sum decent leathers and lid.