Curiosity

[m1a1dvr]

Ducatis are high end Italian bikes, DivideOverflow has a Ducati 1000DS I believe. Anyway, yeah, nice bikes, but out of my price range! And yeah, it depends on the rider, some (like me) cannot handle a crotch rocket, but others can't handle cruisers or standards... It's individual preference!
Wrider

Yes Ducatis are pricy but worth the money. They are very uncomfortable but they handle like no other. I mean they are not good fiurst bikes by any means. They have loads of torque and power out the wazooo. I would start on something like a 250 or a 500 and when you get comfortable with that then step up to one.

[time]

I wish that I had a grampa who would buy me a Ducati.

That is what grandfathers are for and besides I need him to go on the trip with me. So I have two motives.

You do not need to be "young and strong" to ride a Ducati, or any other sportbike for that matter (though a long inseam does help).

Since I have no experience what so ever in this matter, I will have to take your word on that.

And buying a bike based solely on the fact that you saw it one time and it looked cool is so stupid it hurts.

Excuse me Sir-- I never said that. ---I said-- "I would consider." So I will take exception to you assuming that I would and also indirectly inferring that I am stupid. I will be the first to admit that I am not the sharpest tack in the box but stupid, I am not. I am sharp enough to have enough money to pay for four grandkids college education, transportation and spending money in the bank before they went to college and not have to get a loan or mortgage my home in order to do it.

Finally, you claim that you pay zero attention to any bike that isn't a Harley around where you live. So how do you know that they don't exist in your area?

To start things out -- I never claimed to pay 0 attention to any bike that isn't a Harley around where I live. I stated that "out on the open road if it is not a Harley I have a tendency to not pay any attention to it at all".
I know the people around here personally so I can tell you their children's name, well of most of them, the make of car and the make of motorcycle they are riding. We live in a small town. All of the surrounding town's are small. We have three motorcycle clubs within a 40 mile square area and every one of them is Harley's. Well since you insist on being articulate -- a few of them have a sort of dirt bike which is Husqvarna because there is a Husqvarna dealer in town, mostly chain saws and lawn mowers however.

What is so great about a Harley anyways?

Harley is not just a motorcycle, it is a way of life. It is like those Ducati riders -- they tend to group together and associate with other alike or akin riders, and not associate with riders of other makes. The Ducati riders gave me this feeling and that is why I did not approach them when my grandson asked if I thought it was a good idea or not, I am not saying that I am correct but that is the feeling that I got so I gave them their respect and left them alone. I felt I could come here and ask -- little did I realize that I would be jumped for doing so.

[Apitoxin]

Hey time,
It's seems you're new here, welcome to TMW.

I don't believe anyone meant to jump you, or make it out that you were stupid. It was probably because you have few posts and it's hard to expect someone knew to know much, even though in your case, you know your motorcycle information. It seems that there are often people who come to forums, asking if its' a good idea to get an R1 for a first bike 'cause it looks sweet. I apologize that we do jump the gun a bit, but we try to detour "that looks neat, lets buy it." Cause we'd rather have you riding a less cool, more skill-level bike for awhile and upgrading rather than hearing about how you died.

And also, you'll find that most non-Harley people are not very Harley-friendly.

If that doesn't help explain some.. Just disreguard it. Lol.

[dr_bar]

And also, you'll find that most non-Harley people are not very Harley-friendly.

Glad you said "most"...

I've never had the desire to own a Harley, even though I've been exposed to then since I was just a little guy. Do I respect them as a bike... most definitely!!

I've owned Kawasaki's, Honda's, Yamaha's but I've never wanted a Harley. I would probably attribute that to the poor history they have had in the past for needing more shop time than the average bike. Although I will admit, that could be attributed to the riders I've known, also that the newer models are far superior to some of the older ones.

Now, before Gummiente and company come down on me, I never said I didn't like them, nor did I slag those that own them. I've always had the attitude that, "It's not what you ride, it's that you ride".

[Wrider]

I'll agree, a lot of sportbikers around here don't like the cruisers at all. I tend to get along with people well, so even though I ride a cruiser, I hang out with a lot of the sportbikers, as well as cruiser people. I'm with you dr_bar, it's not what you ride, it's how you ride it. Heck, I ride regularly with a woman who rides a Sportster 883.
Wrider

[Shorts]

Geez, these thread went offcourse quickly.

Overall, what folks should be saying but are doing a very poor job of it is that Ducatis are not beginner bikes. They are what folks have already said they are - which is not ideal for a first bike.

If your boy has experience, a 500 or a tame 650 is a good ride.

[Britjoe]

THe reason Ducatis are not seen more than likely is they need to be well maintained, they tend to make alot of noise especialy if they have a aftermarket open clutch case, lots of power and they use Premium parts, Ohlins suspension etc, they are using state of the art technology.

Id wish HD would come up with something, of equal quility, I would even think of buying one maybe, but HD seems to be stuck on life style rather than performance and handling, no disrespect.

[Sev]

I wish that I had a grampa who would buy me a Ducati.

That is what grandfathers are for and besides I need him to go on the trip with me. So I have two motives.

You do not need to be "young and strong" to ride a Ducati, or any other sportbike for that matter (though a long inseam does help).

Since I have no experience what so ever in this matter, I will have to take your word on that.

And buying a bike based solely on the fact that you saw it one time and it looked cool is so stupid it hurts.

Excuse me Sir-- I never said that. ---I said-- "I would consider." So I will take exception to you assuming that I would and also indirectly inferring that I am stupid. I will be the first to admit that I am not the sharpest tack in the box but stupid, I am not. I am sharp enough to have enough money to pay for four grandkids college education, transportation and spending money in the bank before they went to college and not have to get a loan or mortgage my home in order to do it.

Finally, you claim that you pay zero attention to any bike that isn't a Harley around where you live. So how do you know that they don't exist in your area?

To start things out -- I never claimed to pay 0 attention to any bike that isn't a Harley around where I live. I stated that "out on the open road if it is not a Harley I have a tendency to not pay any attention to it at all".
I know the people around here personally so I can tell you their children's name, well of most of them, the make of car and the make of motorcycle they are riding. We live in a small town. All of the surrounding town's are small. We have three motorcycle clubs within a 40 mile square area and every one of them is Harley's. Well since you insist on being articulate -- a few of them have a sort of dirt bike which is Husqvarna because there is a Husqvarna dealer in town, mostly chain saws and lawn mowers however.

What is so great about a Harley anyways?

Harley is not just a motorcycle, it is a way of life. It is like those Ducati riders -- they tend to group together and associate with other alike or akin riders, and not associate with riders of other makes. The Ducati riders gave me this feeling and that is why I did not approach them when my grandson asked if I thought it was a good idea or not, I am not saying that I am correct but that is the feeling that I got so I gave them their respect and left them alone. I felt I could come here and ask -- little did I realize that I would be jumped for doing so.

As for stupid... if I were to buy a pair of shoes solely because I thought they looked cute, you'd call me one of two things. Stupid or a woman (And I'm a "procreating" idiot for saying THAT). Bikes are the same way, you need to try them on first. And you'll noted that I'd previously endorsed the Ducati brand.

In my opinion, riding is a way of life. What you ride is about as relevant as what color your skin is. Of course, you're welcome to look down upon my ride, and if you want I'll even give you reasons. Most valid (imo) is the fact that a japanese bike is effectively a throw away bike. Once a part of the engine is worn out, you either replace it, or get a new engine. Parts and labor are not worth rebuilding an engine anymore. For a Harley things are different.

On the other hand, the japanese bikes ride the tech curve, and unless Harley changes something will continue to embaress them at nearly everything. Of course the Japanese are now trying to inspire the same brand loyalty that Harley seems to command. I have nothing but respect for Harley's marketing.

Any time I do tease, it's just in good fun, and I expect to get it back about my bike. My friend rides a Suzuki and gives me constant flak for owning a Honda.

On the road -- if it's not a Harley -- I just don't pay that much attention to it. Another bike that you don't see around here is a Triumph, nor do you see a Motor Guzzi.

I guess you're right, you don't pay zero attention to non-Harleys my apologies.

[Sev]

What is so great about a Harley anyways?

They're Harleys.

Do you really want to start that discussion here?

I feel I've spent enough time both inside and on different bikes at this point to say that, "a name on the side doesn't make a good bike."

I like Harley's in that you can rebuild them forever. I like japanese bikes in that they offer better performance. At this point in my life I don't want a classic, so there's no way I'd own a Harley.

[qwerty]

When a boy pulls out his wallet and buys his first motorbike, it's usually in pretty good shape a couple years later when he trades it in. When Grampa pulls out his wallet and buys a boy his first motorbike, it's usually in a basket or scrap metal within 6 months, and Grampa often no longer has a grandson. That's just my observation. Take it with a grain of salt.

Ducati builds a fine motorcycle. So does Harley, BMW, Honda, Husqvarna, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Buell, Iron Horse, etc.