Thread: I decided to get a Ducati....

I have never owned a bike. I have always been afraid of them but I decided I am going to concur my fear. I am a very cautious driver in a car and I plan to do the same on the bike.

I always wanted a Ducati Superbike... I sat on one and Jesus at 6'4 it is uber uncomfortable. I think the Streetfighter is a good compromise. The dealer recommended I wait for the new 848 Streetfighter as it will be easier to manage.

Rather buy a used 2010 SF for like 11k though...

Thoughts?

Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? I was the same way, a friend let me take his around for a while and it was cool and all but I was scared of other people more than anything. You can be the safest rider out there but all it take is some 16 year old girl in her parents Escalade to not look twice pulling out of a gas station to kill ya.

try and test out each of your options before you decide cuz they all feel differntly . Goodluck no matter what it is im sure its gonna be badass .

Don't waste your money on a Ducati right away. If you have never ridden there are a lot better bikes to learn on. I too am a very cautions driver and even a more cautious rider (all the gear all the time) but like Gundar1 said, its not you....it is everyone else that doesn't see you. Pick up a used Suzuki SV650. Its a great starter bike yet a ton of people take that bike to the track to race. The power to weight ratio on that bike is great and it is still forgiving and cheap. Learn to ride on it, make your mistakes on it, keep it for a summer or two and then sell it and get your Ducati, you will be happy you did. Although your image or ego might say "I want to be seen on a ducati" your riding style might not match with it especially as a new rider.

I'd say wait for the 848 S.F., especially if you haven't rode a bike before.

While you wait, I'd look into a more suitable starter bike like a SV650 to learn the basics on and then move towards the 848 when you're comfortable. It's a whole nothing world on two wheels and I think you'll be a better driver in the long run if you start with the basics.

like the others have mentioned, you can be the best rider in the world, but all it takes is someone to not see you and you're history. Also, I'd say get something not so powerful and more on the safe side to learn on, a 848 SF as a first bike is ridiculous, that's a deathwish right there, you'd need years of experience just to know how to react to every situation, and having to deal with it the first time on a 120hp bike is insane, add a little too much gas in a corner and say hello to the side of the road.
if you haven't gone to driving school for motorbikes yet, ask the instructors there what to start with, i'm sure they'll have more sound advice than a Ducati dealer.

+1 on the get a older used bike first to learn on. get an 05-06 CBR600R or a Suzuki SV650. something thats been used for around 3500 bucks and learn about riding.

whats going to happen more than likely if you get a $12,000.00 bike right out of the gate is, youre going to be so nervous and have a mental block about dropping a pristine bike....guess whats going to happen.....youre going to drop it.

get something thats got a few blemishes on it, something that is cheap but not too beat up. learn and make mistakes, and ride it for a year.

then get your dream bike.

Forget the Duke, go get a little 250cc trail bike (xr250 - TTR 250) and go hit the bush trails for at least a year or two. At least when you crash (and you will) you will not get run over by a semi. Once you have decent bike skills in all conditions, then consider a road bike.
Don't become a statistic. Good luck matey.

Originally Posted by Slightly Dangerous

+1 on the get a older used bike first to learn on. get an 05-06 CBR600R or a Suzuki SV650. something thats been used for around 3500 bucks and learn about riding.

whats going to happen more than likely if you get a $12,000.00 bike right out of the gate is, youre going to be so nervous and have a mental block about dropping a pristine bike....guess whats going to happen.....youre going to drop it.

get something thats got a few blemishes on it, something that is cheap but not too beat up. learn and make mistakes, and ride it for a year.

then get your dream bike.

Best advice!

Man thats a great bike your looking at but I wouldn't go that route first. Get something a little smaller to be on the safe side. Get a used but nice looking bike for a year or so for tha low low, then get you a brand new beauty queen. Just to see if you like to ride incase you end up not liking 2 wheels instead of 4. Good luck and be safe out there.