[ranette]

Funny when I was looking at scooters not that long ago I saw the MP3 and thought, no way, I’ll never need anything that big. Guess that line of thought died a quick death.

From everything I’ve read they seem to be great bkes(trikes?), and a blast to ride. I’d seen one in a dealership but never even a picture of one on the road, very cool the way those front wheels move. You have to give it to Piaggio for coming out with a totally unique vehicle.

Best of luck with it.

[ranette]

Although they’re sort of coming from the same place I’ve always preferred the idea of not leaving anything on the table rather than “he who dies with the most toys.” I guess the newest phrase is not leaving anything on your bucket list. I always wanted to heliski, dangerous? No, not really. Expensive, yes, really. But it was something I wanted to do and made it happen. Same thing with the bike. I decided I wanted a motorcycle. “So soon after a scooter, why not wait until your 50th birthday?” Well who knows what the next 4 years will bring, who knows how many years after that I’ll be able to ride? I was in a position to do it now and I went ahead and did it.

I will certainly not have the most toys, but the ones I have are very, very nice. I guess I was always more of an FAO Schwartz kid than a Toys R Us kid.

A last thought, I wouldn’t consider dying with the most of anything all that important. However, I do want to die with the least of something, actually I want to die with none of them at all. What am I referring to???? Regrets.

[ranette]

Just do what I did!

Before anyone has a coronary, no, don’t buy the bike I bought. But do what I did and buy the bike that you want; you’re the one gonna be riding it.

[ranette]

My Ducati definitely has a wet clutch and I’m pretty sure that Rupmisc’s Monster does as well.

[ranette]

Thanks Andrew. If I had been looking for an endorsement I never would have posted here, I did read before posting so knew that I was going against the advice of most members. I guess all I was looking for was a place to share experiences and I think I’ve found that. What I was not looking for was endless “you’re gonna die, you’re gonna kill someone” warnings. I think the few of those that appeared are a thing of the past and I certainly feel welcome.

[ranette]

I came from the scooter world and Corazzo might make just what you are looking for, prices for most of the jackets are a little over $200 but I can definitely vouch for the quality.
http://www.corazzo.net/

[ranette]

Actually whenever my wife sees a particularly ugly building she always says, “Uggh that building must have been built in the 70’s” Can’t say I really disagree about the esthetics of that decade , I was just talking about Farah-I was about 13 when that poster came out. I can’t think of anyone who didn’t have one. Platform shoes, Huckapoo shirts and AMC Pacers; nothing more need be said.

[ranette]

“nothing looked better in the 70’s”

I would have to disagree with that.

http://tinyurl.com/5j3sdu

[ranette]

Congratulations, though with our meager level of experience I hardly think either of us could be called a “Ducatista”. How about we refer to ourselves as “Ducatinos”?

[ranette]

Damn! There is nothing in your post I can disagree with. Kind of takes the fun out of all this.

Like I mentioned in another post I realize the title of this forum is Best Beginner Motorcycles but I guess I’ve been treating it as Best Beginner Motorcyclists and since I am certainly not on one of the best beginner motorcycles I think I’ll have to continue thinking of it that way in order for me to justify my presence here.

[ranette]

My reasonable hypothesis is that I am not learning any slower than I would have on a 250. Like I had mentioned in a previous post my bike is roughly the same size as some of the entry level bikes so handling a 600 lb+ machine is not an issue. In my opinion learning to deal with and respect a very powerful throttle and brakes has probably made me a more aware and responsible rider than if I had started on a smaller bike where I may have felt I had some leeway. I am not saying I am a better rider overall, I honestly believe what I said in that it is impossible for me to know for certain. However as for the aspect of awareness and respect for the machine I do feel that my bike has made me a better rider in that one regard.

One thing I should remind everyone is that I have spent the better part of this summer on a 150cc scooter. Apart from the slightly different riding position and more importantly the automatic transmission this is a small motorcycle. Maybe not all that different in terms of acceleration than some of the smaller bikes recommended on this site, keep in mind that those 150cc’s are on a machine that only weighs about 200 lbs. Even though the jump I made would still be considered huge I would certainly admit that without that scooter experience there is no way I would have been able to ride the Ducati for 30 seconds without killing myself.

Best Beginner Motorcycles, I guess I knew that was the forum name but I really think of it as the Best Beginner Motorcyclist forum.

[ranette]

Ahhh Budd, we meet again. This time drifting a bit onto my turf. One thing that starting on a larger bike has taught me is the need to be precise with your movements, especially those of your right hand. On my 150cc scooter I’ve had the throttle fully opened more times than I can remember, on the motorcycle I probably never will. That being said if you’ve become a capable rider on a smaller bike my guess is that you won’t have trouble jumping up in size, though much as Rab says whatever new bike you might be on take the time to adjust yourself to the controls. It will feel different, certainly less forgiving, but nothing that a little practice combined with some discipline shouldn’t be able to take care of.

[ranette]

Budd, we’ll just agree to disagree as I respect your opinion and good wishes. However I will always disagree with

“in the spirit of this sight, I do hope to one day here you say, “I should have started smaller.”

I feel that the spirit of this board should be to help beginning motorcycle riders by connecting them with others who are in a similar stage to compare experiences with. As far as helping with bike selection the spirit of this site should not be to push everyone to the smallest bike they can find, it should be to direct people to the proper bike for them. Agreed that for most newbies a smaller bike is probably the way to start. However, using a little inverse logic, aren’t you saying that by honestly stating that I am doing well on my Ducati I am violating the spirit of this forum? I would respectfully disagree.

What you wrote was barely even a spark and I didn’t take it in any way as confrontational and certainly not malicious, much like I hope you accept that my responses are simply an opinion and not an attack. But as I said I don’t think we can go anywhere on this we just have a different opinion.

[ranette]

Budd I realize that you wished me no ill will, but what I’m saying is that we should all be rooting for each other to progress regardless of whether we choose the same path or not. What your line said to me was that you kind of hope I don’t progress that quickly and join you in your feeling that I would have been better served by starting on a smaller bike. Again, just a little thing and I realize you meant no harm whatsoever by it, but really look at what you said and tell me if I’m not correct. All I am saying is there is never one perfect solution to any question such as this. Just because the accepted wisdom is to start smaller does not always mean that it is the best solution for everyone out there. Having me progress at a slower rate might support your view, however, simply for that reason should you hope that I progress slowly? I think not. Am I rooting for anybody who’s starting on a 250 hoping to move on to a bigger bike not to be able to make that jump for 5 years while I hope to be a capable rider on my Ducati within about a year? No, no no. Everybody go out and learn to ride the bike you’re on as well as you’re able to, if that is the bike you want to be on for the next 10 years great, if you want to move up to something larger I hope that you are able to do it in a time frame that is acceptable to you. That is my sincere wish for everybody who might be reading this.

As for whether I’m progressing slower than I would on a smaller bike there is just no way for me to honestly answer that as I’ve never ridden one. I can tell you that I am pleased with my rate of progress.

[ranette]

Hey Rupmisc, figured this was the best place to catch your attention. Since this board doesn’t have a PM function please email me at [email protected].

[Author]

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