New to Ducati, need opinions.

[PowerD]

I just got my motorcycle endorsement after taking a weekend course, and have been looking at sport classics for months if not over a year. Well I found a bike and bought it and every one I talk to now is very concerned I will kill myself.

Thoughts?

I am 24, have driven since 16 with 1 collision at 17 and am a private pilot
(just some background). Should I search out a different bike now and shelf my Ducati till I get more experience on the belt or hop on and stick to the shallow end?

[va duc]

Ride it like you have to pay for it! And welcome to the sickness!

[Chuckracer]

You'll be fine. Enjoy! Read! Study! Learn! Take courses! Be a student of riding, much like a Pilot and you'll be a great rider.

[redpato]

Don't be in a hurry to be the fastest or any of that crap. It will come with experience. You've taken the MSF (or something similar) course, that's a very good beginning. If an advanced course is available, take it, too. Everyone started out a novice at one time or another.

"in God we trust"

[sburns2421]

A Sport Classic is probably a far better first bike than a 600 supersport machine. The lower end torque of the Ducati will make it easier to ride in the real world, and being more a less a modern interpretation of a vintage bike you won't have anyone trying to race your encouraging you to do stupid things.

My first street bike was a Suzuki GS1100E, at the time it was built (1982) one of the fastest machines money could buy. Probably a stupid choice for me at 20 years old and riding dirt bikes for seven years prior. At least I had a healthy respect for the thing, something I might not have necessarily had on a GS500.

Being a little bit afraid of the bike's performance is not a bad thing for a new rider, IMO.

[xcgates]

Originally Posted by va duc

Ride it like you have to pay for it! And welcome to the sickness!

^This. Just a suggestion, but I wouldn't finance a first bike, and I'd make sure you wouldn't be overly distressed by a slow speed drop. Not saying you WILL drop it, but the chances are up there.

Both bikes I've ridden long term have been dropped at low speed, and even when I slid off an onramp a couple months back, I wasn't overly concerned about the light scratches on the right side (just made sure I hit my kill switch as we parted ways, issued a calm cussword, then called my coworker I was meeting to say I'd be a bit late). Since I ride daily (no car I can use) I view bikes as workhorses as much as playthings.

For the record, I had an '85 Kawasaki shaft drive streetbike for a couple years and 10+k miles before I got out of school, got a job, then got the ST3, which I've been riding exclusively for the past 8 or 9 months, since my Kawi turned into a "I'll get around to it" project. But I'll say this, I never cared if I dropped the Kawi, beyond the usual complaining if it landed in a way it was rough to pick up.

[Wonway]

F'in A. Sport Classic is a great first bike to have. It is that type/style that I learned on still one of the best overall types of bike to own IMO. Convincing others that you will not kill yourself on it is a whole 'nother thing, but you definitely picked the most sensible and beautiful Ducati to convince them

Good Luck and Welcome!

[xcgates]

Originally Posted by Wonway

F'in A. Sport Classic is a great first bike to have. It is that type/style that I learned on still one of the best overall types of bike to own IMO. Convincing others that you will not kill yourself on it is a whole 'nother thing, but you definitely picked the most sensible and beautiful Ducati to convince them

Good Luck and Welcome!

You are going to have a hard time with people who are sure you will kill yourself no matter what form of motorized two-wheeled transportation you choose.

[CoolBDPhenom03]

Funny, I just posted this thread yesterday...the first post should be sufficient to answer your questions I'm also in my 20's for the record. PM me if you have any questions.

Happy birthday to my bike - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum

[adamld83]

Hey. I just got a sportclassic last year and its been only my second bike. My experience is only a couple seasons.

Just respect it. I agree its much better than a 600 watercooled...but chop that throttle to hard coming out of a tight corner and that low end power will bite you...I speak from experience.

I was just out riding today and I was thinking..."slow is smooth, smooth is steady". Focus on corner entry and exit and being smooth. Dont come in too hot and watch your speed. And get plenty of seat time! I get a little better every ride.