Advice Needed

F

Fred Weasley Lives

New member
how much different can the 748 be from a brand new zx6r or cbr600rr? if i dont get teh duc i am gonna get one of those two bikes as i simply refuse to pay for a 250 or 500 only to be bored with it in 2 months time and have to take a hit cash wise and deal with selling it and buying something different. thanks for all your input, but im gonna spring for the 748 i think and just get what i want, when i want it, and just try to be careful. Mind you, i wont be riding long distances or cruising on it, it really will only be a summer toy/short rids kinda bike. wouldnt be on it for more than an hour at a time. tops.
 
First bikes should always be cheap bikes. Ducati's arn't cheap to buy, own or maintain. This is the only reason why I don't recommend them.

I started with a CBR600F2, which is a pretty decent beginner bike. It weighs a ton, so you get use to that weight. It also has zero features and almost no power. If you crash it, oh well... buy another. If you love it and wanna keep it, buy the newer version!

All I'm sayin' is... Start with a sub $2000 bike, Ducati's will always be around. Give yourself 2 - 4 months on a shit bike and then buy a Duc in spring!

Also, save the money and buy a proper Duc, not a 748... As much as I loved mine, I own an 848 and 749 now and understand the validity of a newer bike. SO far neither the 848 (7400 miles) or the 749 (1300 race miles) have given me a stitch of issues. My 748 was always broken... Mainly because I put more mileage on, then the average bear.
 
Hey tye1138 is absolutely correct. What's good for some may not be good for the next guy. A transition bike is definitely the right way. A cheaper bike to learn, trash around a bit, work on, etc is good. While doing that look around, shop, do your homework on other bikes out there. Meet other bikers and hey, the Duc may not be what you want. Bottomline is you and you alone knows what you really want and what you can do. Just be careful. This jungle of crazy drivers, etc, can really hurt you.
 
I think a good bike for your situation would ge the suzuki sv650. It will at least get you in the vtwin mind frame for much less than a 748 and is really cheap. Going for "what you want" right now is an easy way to get turned off motorcycles if things go badly at first. Don't set yourself up to have a frustrating first experience. I'll guarantee learning on a smaller cheaper bike, will only make you appreciate getting the bike you want later that much more (and you'll be better equipped to exploit what it can do).
 
I'm going to have to disagree with you guys. the 748 has less power then the newer 600 class bikes and wouldn't be as expensive. I paid cash for my 999 when I got it and it had about the same power as a New Ninja 600. I do understand that repairs are more expensive but as long as you don't drop the bike the only thing expensive you have to pay for is maintence. Not everyone drops their fist bike and as long as you ride responsibly, carefully and don't go out stunting on the highway I really don't see the problem with owning a Ducati as your first bike. Just because you started on a Japanese bike doesn't mean everyone should.
 
You guys are all debating about power, but I don't think that's as much of an issue for a new(er) rider, than the PITA layout and ungainly ergonomics.

The power of both the 748 and 916 were far less powerful than their i-4 competitors, that's no news.

The delivery of the massive torque was what used to get me, when I would try my friends' 916s and 996s. It was almost alarming, even though my R1 was putting out maybe 50% more power. Just totally different.

But, what made riding that generation of SB so difficult, for me at least, was the impossible chassis layout. The ass is waaayyy up in the air, so you're on toes to begin with. The seat is rock hard with hard, sharp edges. The suspension doesn't give an inch. It's unbelievably stiff. You have zero steering lock. All the weight is on your crooked wrists and the top-heavy trellis frame design (that's why they all feel heavy in the parking lot), makes it feel like it weighs double what it does. The clutch is grabby like all of the dry clutches, but the torque starts booming right from the friction.


Add all that up, and they're really a bit intimidating, especially to newer riders. They're really ungainly and awkward. They lurch and surge in inexperienced hands, and feel like they're going to hurt you....and your wallet!

I was already on to R1s and had maybe 20 track days under my belt, but I was always freaked out by them when I rode them. Freeway on them sucks, esp if you're like Cali and have expansion joints and cratered pavement. It's just a beating.

The point is, I don't think the power's as big of an issue as the screwy layout.

It is all worth it when the road turns twisty, though.

But if it doesn't get twisty for you often, it might not be worth the torture!
 
for me.. it's simple. your bike will go down... for sure.

if you are ok with your Ducati going down, and you can afford to repair it.. fine. and don't forget.. get your gear as well, which beginners forget to price out. it can get expensive.

i'm an all gear all the time kinda guy, and i love my Duc, but to be honest.. when i bought my first track bike (bought while owning my 900SS ).. it was a relief to be able to throw around a jap 600 and not be worried about expense for repairs or wear and tear... i track my 900 a lot too, but there is a different feeling on it. i can't help but want to be a little more careful.. this is what you may feel on your Duc. as well if it's your first ride.

if you wanna play it safe and just cruz around and look good doing it.. buy the Duc.. if your gonna be aggressive .. travel to the canyons and test your limits?.. try a jap. bike for a bit... you'll have more fun finding your limits, and their cheaper to fix and ride again in the case of a crash... a lot cheaper. in the end... gear up and enjoy it.
 
if i get a 748 i will never put it on a track. im not a track guy. all i want is a sick looking, rare, sharp bike to tool around on around town with an occasional freeway ride to get a few places around town. i live in metro detoit. there are no twisties. anywhere. i wil likely put no more that 2,000 miles a year on this bike as riding season for me is from mid-may to mid september. and i have a car which i use for everything else. this bike will be for evening rides and a little bit on the weekend. bu even then im on the water with my boat and skis so i wont be riding it much. im pretty sold on the 748 for my purposes. thanks for the input.
 
sounds like that bike would do nice.. usually it's the canyons that get people into turns over their heads. the quote we use is "writing check's with their right wrist that their skills can't cash"...

based on what you said you'd be using it for.. if you can afford it.. buy it. get some cool gear and grow eyes in the back of your head.. car drivers in metro area's can be like a video game at times.

i wish i was shorter.. i would have bought one of those years ago.. a nice yellow sp.. but at 6'3 there was no way i wanted to endure that riding position. post up some pics when it's yours...

cheers..
 
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