[nanderson]

I started riding about 5 months ago. I bought an Enduro style dirt-bike to learn to ride on. I’m really enjoying it but am now looking to sell the bike and get an actual street bike now. Some of my more experienced rider friends have recommended me a Ducati Monster 750 and a Ninja 650r as good first street bikes for someone with my amount of experience…I was wondering what the members of this forum thought.

Given the above info regarding how much time I’ve been riding (and since that time, it’s been at least 2 hours a week, but much more in the warmer months), would the above mentioned motorcycles be a good fit for someone who knows how to ride but is still pretty new to riding? Thanks.

[Gary856]

Ducati Monster 750???!!! In the motorcycle world a Ducati is like a Porsche/Ferrari in the car world. That as a first street bike? Well, I guess if you guys all go to Ivy League schools and have rich parents, maybe that’s not an issue.

Ninja 650r is more for the “normal” people. Should work ok, but still a little too new/expensive in my opinion as a first street bike. It’s almost certain the bike will be dropped, that’s a part of learning, so get something smaller, older, cheaper. My favorite – naked GS500.

[WeaponZero]

The Ducati Monster 750 has been out of production for nearly a decade now and there are very few used ones on the market. Good luck finding one. The only ones they make now are the 696 (which is actually more powerful than the old 750) and the 1100. The 750, despite having 100 more CCs, was comparable in performance to the Suzuki SV650 at the time.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650R is much, much more realistic. Its naked version (which is what you would probably be considering if you prefer the Monster) is called the ER-6n. Suzuki has a competitor for it in the form of the Gladius, which is essentially an updated SV650.

[nanderson]

Yeah, we have a specific Ducati Monster in mind that’s for sale in my area, it’s older (1999, which makes it pretty cheap as well) but is in very good shape. The Ninja 650’s I’m looking at are used as well…I don’t plan on getting a new bike for a few years, I’ll start out on a used one first.

[A]

Years back (prior to 2001) as a beginner rider who’s only moto riding experience was 250cc MSF training bike for a few hours.
I travelled overseas to Switzerland. I rented moto for 3 days from Nice, France. The only motos they had available was giant BMW GS or Ducati Monster. I was 5’10” 130 lb., I felt more comfortable on the Monster than the GS. so I rode it through the French/Swiss Alps. It’s a great handling bike, lightweight, and good seat height (for me). Throttle responce can be snatchy, just avoid grabbing a handlful of throttle at all cost.
In the twisties mountain passes in the Alps, the Monster was a great moto… after that experience, I was 80% ready to ride any moto, as if I tamed the wild Italian stalion, I remember I rode a yellow Monster..
If you have a choice, start with the less expensive moto to gain experience, or you could just rent one and buy all the insurance to cover for any mishalp. Monster 750 is not as good of a “beginner moto” as a Ninja 650R, but it is a better bike overall IMO. Just make sure the carbs on that Monster are clean, sync’ed and balanced well.

[SantaCruzRider]

Before you hop up several bike rungs, I’d humbly suggest you give some thought to how much experience you really have. You make it sound like an eternity, but five months isn’t that much time. And two hours a week (I know you said that’s minimum, but it’s the only number you gave) is more in line with how much you might ride to keep your skills from degrading, not necessarily enough to really be building on.
It takes longer than you might think to build muscle memory and train your mind to pay attention to the right things, plus having time enough on the road to have experienced some of the small surprises that will save you when something really scary happens.
Don’t take this wrong, in the last 5 months you may have become a spectacularly accomplished rider — but I think that would be pretty exceptional.
Also, you don’t mention why you feel you need a new bike. Is your current one underpowered or physically too small? If you popped some street tires on it, could it hold your interest for a few more months? Maybe not and maybe the 650R would be perfect. But I’d give it some real thought and not jump at the first one that comes up on Craigslist — just my 2 cents.

[nanderson]

SantaCruzRider,

As far as my amount of experience, I completely agree that 5 months isn’t that long. If I made it sound like I thought it was a long time then it was poor communication on my part. This is why I made the point that I know *how* to ride but that I’m still a new rider. I definitely realize I still have a lot of learning ahead of me.

As far as *why* I’m looking for another bike…the Enduro-style bike I have right now only tops out at 55mph, that’s the max speed I can go so I can’t go on any type of highway and cruise at that speed. Also, the bike is so light I get blown around very easily. In addition, it’s a pretty cheap bike that vibrates very heavily when I ride it and I’m constantly having to do maintenance work on it to keep it going.

I appreciate the advice. I’m definitely putting some thought into this, which is why I’ve sought the advice of the members of this forum. Thanks.

[BouncingRadical]

What kind of enduro do you have now that only tops out at 55? Just out of curiosity.

[IBA270]

and one that I have recommended to beginners time and time again. They are low seat, wider with wider bars and easy to ride. They have reasonable horsepower without having a big power rush that makes many sportbikes, especially the more modern bikes, a little tough to ride.

On the Ducati-make sure it has at least some service records. Depending on mileage, you’re looking for valve adjusts and belt changes. After 12K or so, the valves tend to take a pretty good seat and will they require checking, generally don’t take much in adjustment. Many dealers make belt changing seem like an art. It is I suppose if art takes 15 minutes to complete…seriously.

Ducati’s DO REQUIRE a little more effort/involvement in owning them, but in my opinion they are well worth the return. Lot’s of aftermarket, surprisingly cheap parts…and…it’s a Ducati!

If it floats your boat, I wouldn’t be afraid of it. Just do your research and know what you’re getting into.

Last thing, and you didn’t say…did you take the MSF class or are you “self/friend taught”? If you did, excellent choice! If you didn’t, stop riding and take the course. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.

[eternal05]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcy/1535676282.html

[Gary856]

With bikes, just like with cars, I can’t seem to break the psychological barrier when it comes to European makes, even though I love the way some of those things look. Blame it on my frugal upbringing? But my bad, that ’01 Monster 750 on CL looks like a deal.

[eternal05]

Especially given the price tags on some of their more spendy models, I don’t blame you. Truth is though that most Ducatis are in line with Japanese pricing (Monster 696 is $9K, GT1000 is $11.5K, Monster and Hypomotard 1100s are $12K). I mean hell, the most expensive motorcycles commonly on the road are Harleys! Especially considering he’s looking at used bikes, the real $$$ sink with Ducati can be in maintenance.

You can never tell where a person comes from based on their material belongings. Things didn’t always cost someone as much as you’d think, and there are plenty of people that spend or borrow far beyond their means. I’m in my mid-twenties and I drive an Audi. I was thinking about trying to get a diesel VW Jetta a while back, but they were scarce and dealers were putting huge premiums on them. Saw an A4 on the same lot, two years’ used, with 19K miles and a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. Drove it away for $19K of my own hard-earned dollars, most accumulated at minimum wage prior to the age of 21. Doesn’t make me a rich kid from Harvard

[nanderson]

One last question…

The Triumph Thruxton…what does everyone think about that as a beginner motorcycle?

[eternal05]

It’s a fairly powerful, fairly torquey, and fairly heavy bike for a beginner. All the same, if that bike really makes you happy, feels good when you sit on it, and makes your heart skip, just proceed with caution. Lots of practice, and patience, will help you get started safely.

[A]

Thruxton / Scrambler are heavy, torquey bikes.. they look very nice and retro.. I think Monster has better handling character.

[Author]

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