Ducati 695 Monster for a beginner??

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clgrant · #1 Unread post by **clgrant** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:09 pm

I love the Ducati look. I was happy to see they had a "beginner" bike or so they say. What do you guys think? Would this bike be suitable as a beginner bike? Money is not really a problem. I just want a beginner bike that is somewhat my style. I am not too big on the Honda/ Suzuki bikes etc....

Thanks for your input...

RideYourRide · Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:13 pm

73 horsepower and 370 pounds dry. This thing is reasonably quick. By the numbers it should be a bit more motivated then an SV650 or Ninja 650r, both of which are generally considered by the masses on here to be good second bikes.

To tell you if I think you're going to die, I for one want more information:

How old are you?
Do you have any previous experience with motorcycles or scooters?

Shorts · #3 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:19 pm

RideYourRide wrote:73 horsepower and 370 pounds dry. This thing is quick, significantly quicker then any of the other entry level bikes.

Those numbers do make for a spirited ride.

When one is buying a first bike, it is important to keep the power-to-weight ratio within reasonable limits. That's where the size of the engine comes in (that's why you have bigger cced cruisers for beginnngers suggested coimpared to other styles).

spin · #4 Unread post by **spin** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:51 pm

i just bought a 2004 monster (60HP \ 620cc) as my first bike.
i am waiting to complete the msf to ride it, i think it is the perfect 1st bike.

i, like you, love the style. it was affordable (in my budget) and fit me perfect.

from what i read it is on the upper portion of the beginers bikes but i am a 35 year old, very responsible adult and defn see myself growing with this bike. ninja's and the like just do NOT do it for me.

the new 695s are sweet and i hope if i enjoy riding like i think i will i will eventually get newer larger ducati.

Shorts · #5 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:57 pm

spin wrote:i just bought a 2004 monster as my first bike.
i am waiting to complete the msf to ride it, i think it is the perfect 1st bike.

i, like you, love the style. it was affordable (in my budget) and fit me perfect.

from what i read it is on the upper portion of the begineers bikes but i am a 35 year old, very responsible adult.

the new 695s are sweet and i hope if i enjoy riding like i think i will i will eventually get newer larger ducati.

Have you ridden motorcycles before? Are you just getting back into the game?

Reason I ask is, regardless of age, a "new rider" is a new rider. Motorcycling skills do not get better with age unless you have been practicing those skills. It's not really something that comes along naturally, like wrinkles or those love handles that creep up

Aside from age is maturity. Like you've said, you're a responsible adult. Again, that doesn't make you a skilled rider. What that characteristic does is weigh greatly on the the side that you will willingly take the steps necessary to become a smart and skilled rider. Muscle memory has no regard for respect. Muscle memory has no regard for age. Muscle memory comes from practicing a physical movement in order to correspond brain signals to muscluloskeletal action, and make those movements precise and timed properly with the propropriate force.

I'm not trying to discourage you from wanting any bike. I am informing you of "the method to the madness". They are nice bikes

But remember, they key is that this will be your first bike and not your last. You should get a bike you want, that's half the fun of riding. But you should also choose a bike that is condusive to "easy learning".

This bike may be a really "grey area" bike.

If you have read the sticky at the top of the newbie forum you will have read the post by storysunfolding. If not, I will post it here, it is a very good explanation:

spin · #6 Unread post by **spin** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:03 pm

well, it is too late. i am the proud owner of a 04 ducati.
i have never ridden and am i newb.

that said. like i said, i am very resonsible. i have had my permit and the bike for 6 weeks and i havent even started it. ok, i started it once.

i am a very athletic strong young man (35). i plan on getting my MSF class done and spending this season riding around off hours and weekends. i know my limits and understand where you are coming from.

i am up to the challenge. you infer that moto skills dont get better with age but i plan on learning the right way and have lots of friends who ride, and ride safely.

trust me, i am a little scared and will proceed with caution and minimize my risks but i am going to be fine.

Shorts · #7 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:05 pm

spin wrote:well, it is too late. i am the proud owner of a 04 ducati.
i have never ridden and am i newb.

that said. like i said, i am very resonsible. i have had my permit and the bike for 6 weeks and i havent even started it. ok, i started it once.

i am a very athletic strong young man (35). i plan on getting my MSF class done and spending this season riding around off hours and weekends. i know my limits and understand where you are coming from.

i am up to the challenge. you infer that moto skills dont get better with age but i plan on learning the right way and have lots of friends who ride, and ride safely.

trust me, i am a little scared and will proceed with caution and minimize my risks but i am going to be fine.

I infer that you are not immediately donned with skills just because you are you... You have to develop riding skills. While you keep telling me how athletic and mature you are, you're still a new rider. No amount of maturity and athleticism with negate that.

You asked for thoughts about the bike and you got them. If you are looking for an "atta boy!" and a pat on the back for confirmation you made a the right choice, well, not really getting that, from me at least. The only regard I will say is that its a fun new bike, who wouldn't enjoy that?

Good luck.

spin · #8 Unread post by **spin** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:09 pm

i never said that i am not a new rider, nor a gifted one.
i am a newb, agreed. i dont know if i will be a great rider.

i am merely defending my decision to buy the bike i bought.
physically i can handle it and mentally i know i can also.

i am responding to the original poster that i made the same decision he did.

i dont understand your message?

#9 Unread post by **Wrider** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:16 pm

Hey youngun, You're an old man in my book! I'm 20! lol If you see Dohun AKA Intotherain, he's 17... lol And DivideOverflow is also 20 I believe. Logitech 104 is 16? and 105 is her older brother... lol
So stop trying to impersonate us old man!

Wrider

Edit: Best of luck with the Duc, it's a beautiful bike and I'm sure you'll like it! Best advice I can give you is to take the MSF course, and remember to ride WITH the bike, not ON it...

Shorts · #10 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:18 pm

spin wrote:i never said that i am not a new rider, nor a gifted one.
i am a newb, agreed. i dont know if i will be a great rider.

i am merely defending my decision to buy the bike i bought.
physically i can handle it and mentally i know i can also.

i am responding to the original poster that i made the same decision he did.

i dont understand your message?

Aww scrap! I thought you were the OP. Sorry for the mixup.