newbie interested in Ducati

Hey All,

Im new to the Sport Bike world, So new infact Ive never ridden!

I am in the US Army right now, deployed to the wonderfull country of Iraq. I have always had an interest in motorcyles, and have been planning on getting one for years. Well since Ive been out here it has become my goal, to get a bike as soon as I get back.

Well Im coming up on the time to comeback home, and Im starting to realy look at what I want to buy. Now I know the #1 advice is to start small, smaller than a 600 even. At this point Im not sure what I want to do, but I may start with a cheap <600 and buy the real thing afew months latter.

Either way Im interested in several bikes. I realy like the GSX-Rs, and am absolutly in love with the Ducati 1098. But I of coarse know that 1098 is WAY outta my league.

What Id like to get info on is the Ducati 749. I know there rated at lik 90 HP, which is alot less than a modern 600. But being a cherry, I dont know. Are they easier or harder to ride? Even more of a concern, is matinance. Are parts rare for Ducatis? How about more expensive?

I think it would be great to end up riding something that is related, if however distant , to the 1098 and have the words "Ducati" written on it. But I dont know much about them.

Thanks,

-Matt

PS: If a message similar to this one pops up, im not losing my mind and rewriting emails for the fun of it, my computer locked up while I was posting this the first time!  

Ducatis are great bikes, and it's easy to see why you want to ride one.  That said, they are not beginner bikes at all, especially when we are talking about a 749 or 1098.  They are very unforgiving race bikes that will respond immediately to you input, even if your inputs are wrong.  This can lead to damage on you and/or your bike, neither of which is cheap to fix.

Start learning on something small like a Ninja 250, and then you can bump up to a race bike once your skills are there.

Good luck!  

+1 get something to learn on for a year or 2 first.  there are a lot of smaller bikes that are still very quick.  ninja 250 is a good starter bike.  my friend that has been riding for years and years just bought another 250.  he has 3 bikes, 2 250's and another 650r.  you wont use most of the duc, i have had my 600rr for over a year and pushed my limits and still wont reach 50% of the bikes capabilities on the street, even on the track i am sure there is more to push.  

If you want a Ducati why not a Monster 695 . It is very friendly to ride and yet has that Ducatista passion. They also don't need as often maintenance as the older ones and being just a 2 valve Duc will never cost too much to maintain. That was an issue with the 4 valve bikes before 07.
I myself have a Ducati Multistrada 620 which has got me hooked. You can also find good used Multistra 620 on Ebay for good deals. They are great to start with and very frugle on gasoline .
Yet they are quite fast and easy to ride.
Suzuki SV650,even a Buell Blast would be a good choice.  

I have a Ducati 749 as my first superbike and I find it to be a treat! But I've been riding for 14 years now, albeit on small 135 cc two stroke bikes. The 749 is quite friendly to the rider, I think. But with no riding experience at all, I suggest you get something smaller first.  

the new Ninja 250's are perfect candidates for beginner bikes.  

Can't say it is related to 1098 by any stretch, but if you want to stay in duc family, many 600, 620, etc. monsters can be had for not terrible amount. If you have never been on a bike can't see you being underwhelmed by any suggestions here, but the small monster would fit bill. Think 749, gsx or any superbike would be biting off more than you want, but is just a thought. Try an MSF course for  a weekend and see what you think.  

Matt1bravo, I just wanted to say these peeps have gave good advice.  I just wanted to say thank you very much for your service!!!  

Buying a Ducati for a first bike is like buying a Ferrari for your first car. They are wonderful bikes that takes skill to ride and money to own (and repair). Everyone's opinion of starting on a 250 are spot on. I have been riding for over 40 years and have had over 30 bikes and I am riding a 2008 Kawi 250R right now. The bike is so much fun. The handling is supurb, the brakes are great, and the bike is cheap. Best bike to start with, learn on, and keep for a long time. Even if you get another bike, whenever you go back to the 250 you will be surprised how much better you can ride it than other bikes.  

ducati are over priced pieces of junk. Its sad when when i rape a 750 ducati with my 600rr  

matt11bravo - +1 on the Monster 620.  It's relatively cheap and it will still bring you into the world of the Ducatisti.  I'm a squdron (battalion in the Army)commander in the AF and see lots of my Airmen get in over their heads with today's sportbikes.  I ride a Ducati 1098, and I can tell you the temptation to twist the throttle can easily get you into trouble.  Triple digit speeds come very quickly.  Thanks for your service!  

Matt,
first of all thank you for serving our wonderful U.S.A. Many of us keep people like you in our prayers that God's will, you will come home and enjoy the benefits of what your fighting for. thank you for your self sacrifice. Now to answer your motorcycle question the first thing you need to do is get into an MSF riders course because your a new rider or even if you've had a little experience with motorcycles,take it,even if you have to take it twice then do so,and its not stupid to do it twice. Man like you who came back on tour duty that we are proud of,who face incredible challenges in the battle field, the last thing that needs to happen to you is ending up being paralayze over a motorcycle crash. not good Bro! Get into an MSF course,then get a used 250 and stick to it for about a year or two consistantly,stay away from freeway's and busy streets for the first six month. work hard on your skills that you were taught at MSF on the back roads and throw your EGO out as soon as the helmet goes on or else you go down hard( I was one of those) be safe....