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Ok so I have been talking with my roomate about getting a bike and i think he's sold. A bunch of my friends and i are planning on taking the MSF course asap, so we will go with him as well.

My question is which would be a better beginner bike:
Suzuki SV650
or the
Ducati Monster 600 or 620

The reason i ask is those are the two bikes he is most fond of. I do intend to talk him into a GS500 or a Ninja 500 though as a first bike.

Though i was pretty curious as a 1999 SV puts out
68.0hp @ 8750 rpm
44.5 ft.lbs @ 7250 rpm

and the 2005 Ducati Monster 620 puts out
63 hp @ 9500 rpm
41.2 ft.lbs @ 6750 rpm

and the 1998 Monster 600 has
51 hp @ 8000 rpm
36.9 ft.lbs @ 6000 rpm
Which would you guys say is a better choice for a new rider?*
*(barring all other choices)

Barring all other choices, I'd say the 51 HP Monster 600. Those specs are similar to the vulcan en 500, so power-wise I know it's manageable. The Center of gravity is a different issue with the standards. The weight will be carried higher, just like your bike. You can help them decide if this is an issue or not. The others are like our bikes, power-wise, but much lighter. I know they are good second bikes...depends on the individual as a first bike. I vote 600.

Dropping even a used Ducati has GOT to suck. And I would think the various parts that typically get munched in a minor fall cost more than a Suzuki equivalant would.... but that's just a guess.

*I do like the first generation SV's. I think they can make good first bikes, if I could afford one, I'd have one for my wife right now.
*Your milage may vary....size may or may not matter to you....yada, yada, yada, whatever.... that's your call. I'm fine with it.

BuzZz wrote:Dropping even a used Ducati has GOT to suck. And I would think the various parts that typically get munched in a minor fall cost more than a Suzuki equivalant would.... but that's just a guess.

I forgot all about that. Duh! I dropped mine twice in the grass (one was the side-stand in soft grass thing as I walked to the house). That was my re-entry dropping experience, so I'm a little out of touch. Sorry, good point. Let's not discuss the tree I hit back in the 70's on my very first off-road ride.

Hmm granted, I breifly thought about a Monster 620 as a second bike, but then i remembered how often i have dropped my nighthawk (standstill) and then thought about how i'm poor.... so Suzuki it is (for me at least)

I'll continue to talk to the roomate...

if you even have a ducati dealer / service place near you it will be pricey to do anything with them. although the monster is one of my fav bikes

ronboskz650sr wrote: Let's not discuss the tree I hit back in the 70's on my very first off-road ride.

What do you mean, let's not. You've piqued our interest now. Obviously it wasn't enough to scare you from biking though, and that's a good thing.

Cheers,
Loonette

It was two-up, on a Honda ct90. I was on a cross country ski trail, and it made a 90 degree left hand turn...but I didn't . A little countersteering knowledge would've helped back then. This was about my second ride...really had no business two-up, but I didn't know that yet. Ah youth...live and learn. That was about 37 years ago, and I still remember it like it happened yesterday...nope, not scared. It's funny, now.

There you twisted my arm. Are you happy?

male or female on the back?

Started male, ended up female after injuries incurred in said accident. LOL

Runs!