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Hi John and welcome to the site!
I think the best way to answer your question is to buy and ride what you like. Every brand of motorcycle has its strong points, and every motorcycle owner will eschew them. But only you know what is right for you. When you're first starting out, it's hard to know what the exactly right bike will be for you, but I think you're going about this the right way, and starting on something small and just getting used to it.
Regardless of what your buddies say about Harleys and any other bike, you have to ask yourself what kind of you're going to be. Are you more interested in a motorcycle as a mode of transportation, something to ridden in all climates, all over the place? Or are you more interested in owning a motorcycle for its status/fashion/ego/lifestyle value? Or do you find yourself drawn to the art and exhilaration of motorcycling? Are you more interested in riding or owning, put it that way.
Not all Harley owners will poo-poo other bike manufacturers. A lot of them will, sure - but a lot of sport bikers poo-poo Harleys, too. They just come from different sides of the same coin; I'm of the opinion that the guys who dismiss anything not Harley need to do so in order to justify their purchase to themselves. When I get the usual "pasta rocket" comments, I usually ask them how many miles are on their odometer ... and then tell them to STFU, come back when you hit 5 digits. But there are those HD riders who appreciate motorcycling for what it is, and appreciate that you're a brother who just happens to like a different brand of bike. That's part of the difference between riders and owners.
I think HD did a good job in building a cultural icon and built a great "after market" (is it after market, if it's still made by Harley?) accessory and clothing line to help support the brand - which really just supports the "lifestyle"; to me, that's all Harley is selling: lifestyle. You're not paying for performance, or reliability - you can get 1000x the performance and reliability out of a Suzuki SV650 at less than half the buy-in cost of a new Harley - but a new SV doesn't exude the "lifestyle" like a Harley and their clothing line will.
Anyway, about Ducati. Ducati is also working on their accessories, just like HD (it really has done a lot for them). They're two different lifestyles, and as for prestige? Well, I guess it depends who you ask - they're two different market segments. Harley owners won't agree to that; but Harley doesn't come from a racing background - Ducati does. Personally, I don't ride Ducatis for any perceived prestige or status: I love their performance and handling, their sound, the art in the design, that L-twin lump, etc. In terms of status or prestige, even if I didn't like Ducatis - the perceived Harley lifestyle is a turn off to me regardless.
I don't know much about Alaska, except that I'll bet there's some gorgeous riding up there. You could easily put some big miles on whatever you choose to ride. Maybe there aren't any road races courses, but I'll bet you can find an MSF course - and I recommend that to every rider, new and old. It's a great way to have a lot of questions answered and earn some experience in a controlled environment for new riders, and a good refresher for those with a lot miles under their belts already.
If you know you want to ride Ducati, ask yourself how you're going to ride. Do you plan on purchasing a set of full leathers and dragging knees? Consider a SuperSport and eventually a superbike. Think you'll pack the miles on, ride the Alaskan Pipeline a couple times a year? Maybe an ST is more appropriate. Think you'll be leaving the pavement on occasion? Start campaigning Ducati to produce the Hypermoto. Love the history and style of yesteryear? The Sport Classics recall 70's era Ducatis but with modern-day components. Think you'll spend more time in town, being a hooligan, maybe with some brief touring? The Monster is a great all-rounder. Maybe the new 695 would be a great first Ducati.
Or do you like a lot of chrome and are just more interested in parking up close to the bar? Maybe a Harley is the right choice ... (just kidding!)
And honest, I don't work for Ducati sales. But I strongly believe there's a lot to be said for picking the right motorcycle for you, and it's not easy to do when you're first starting out. Although it sounds like getting off the Thailand roads is a smart idea ...
Good luck, keep us posted!
Jake
I think the best way to answer your question is to buy and ride what you like. Every brand of motorcycle has its strong points, and every motorcycle owner will eschew them. But only you know what is right for you. When you're first starting out, it's hard to know what the exactly right bike will be for you, but I think you're going about this the right way, and starting on something small and just getting used to it.
Regardless of what your buddies say about Harleys and any other bike, you have to ask yourself what kind of you're going to be. Are you more interested in a motorcycle as a mode of transportation, something to ridden in all climates, all over the place? Or are you more interested in owning a motorcycle for its status/fashion/ego/lifestyle value? Or do you find yourself drawn to the art and exhilaration of motorcycling? Are you more interested in riding or owning, put it that way.
Not all Harley owners will poo-poo other bike manufacturers. A lot of them will, sure - but a lot of sport bikers poo-poo Harleys, too. They just come from different sides of the same coin; I'm of the opinion that the guys who dismiss anything not Harley need to do so in order to justify their purchase to themselves. When I get the usual "pasta rocket" comments, I usually ask them how many miles are on their odometer ... and then tell them to STFU, come back when you hit 5 digits. But there are those HD riders who appreciate motorcycling for what it is, and appreciate that you're a brother who just happens to like a different brand of bike. That's part of the difference between riders and owners.
I think HD did a good job in building a cultural icon and built a great "after market" (is it after market, if it's still made by Harley?) accessory and clothing line to help support the brand - which really just supports the "lifestyle"; to me, that's all Harley is selling: lifestyle. You're not paying for performance, or reliability - you can get 1000x the performance and reliability out of a Suzuki SV650 at less than half the buy-in cost of a new Harley - but a new SV doesn't exude the "lifestyle" like a Harley and their clothing line will.
Anyway, about Ducati. Ducati is also working on their accessories, just like HD (it really has done a lot for them). They're two different lifestyles, and as for prestige? Well, I guess it depends who you ask - they're two different market segments. Harley owners won't agree to that; but Harley doesn't come from a racing background - Ducati does. Personally, I don't ride Ducatis for any perceived prestige or status: I love their performance and handling, their sound, the art in the design, that L-twin lump, etc. In terms of status or prestige, even if I didn't like Ducatis - the perceived Harley lifestyle is a turn off to me regardless.
I don't know much about Alaska, except that I'll bet there's some gorgeous riding up there. You could easily put some big miles on whatever you choose to ride. Maybe there aren't any road races courses, but I'll bet you can find an MSF course - and I recommend that to every rider, new and old. It's a great way to have a lot of questions answered and earn some experience in a controlled environment for new riders, and a good refresher for those with a lot miles under their belts already.
If you know you want to ride Ducati, ask yourself how you're going to ride. Do you plan on purchasing a set of full leathers and dragging knees? Consider a SuperSport and eventually a superbike. Think you'll pack the miles on, ride the Alaskan Pipeline a couple times a year? Maybe an ST is more appropriate. Think you'll be leaving the pavement on occasion? Start campaigning Ducati to produce the Hypermoto.
Love the history and style of yesteryear? The Sport Classics recall 70's era Ducatis but with modern-day components. Think you'll spend more time in town, being a hooligan, maybe with some brief touring? The Monster is a great all-rounder. Maybe the new 695 would be a great first Ducati. Or do you like a lot of chrome and are just more interested in parking up close to the bar? Maybe a Harley is the right choice ...
(just kidding!)And honest, I don't work for Ducati sales.
But I strongly believe there's a lot to be said for picking the right motorcycle for you, and it's not easy to do when you're first starting out. Although it sounds like getting off the Thailand roads is a smart idea ... Good luck, keep us posted!
Jake
