Potential owner looking for advice

Hear you loud and clear, Im 6'4" 95kg and have never had an issue on virtually any bike for size btw. Sure some fit better than others but Id be aiming for an inexpensive mid sized bike with plenty of torque. A mate has an SV 650 as a commuter and he loves it, theres even a really active racing scene on them here. A monster around that size would be a far better bike than a V2, plus they are good looking and sound great. Dont worry about externals, once you get going on two wheels the magic happens!

Have to say, +1 on the Monster. One of the best bikes ever made. They do everything well. Street, track, riding 2-up (with passenger), groceries... That's a great bike. You can always sell it and go SBK when you've got instincts. It's a MTB riding position.
How easily you are swayed by other's comments is a measurement to consider. If you're kind of wobbly on the idea now, ok get a monster and just get good on it. Then you'll know what you want when you're ready. Find some curves or get some track time in, Florida is a little on the flat and straight side. Track time you'll learn gobs in a day. If you're dead passionate and will get lessons, do anything and everything to learn THAT SBK bike, ok that's a calculated risk. A 1299 is bananas though to learn on. It'll just be shocking. Like everything it does is shocking. You're eyballs go from the back of your head to sticking out on the gas to on the brakes hahhaa. Try a 959 or 848 or... They're not the toy version. FAF bikes. So much fun. Very very precise. Not forgiving. Wink to change lanes like a road bike except all that power.

265 + Florida = Turbo Busa

How did you get on, here's an interesting article written on the progression to a pani that you may find useful The Sportbike Progression: Everyman’s Path To Panigale

good article.

Paul G said:

How did you get on, here's an interesting article written on the progression to a pani that you may find useful The Sportbike Progression: Everyman’s Path To Panigale

Click to expand...

Thank you for the article. That was actually a great read. As far as where I am in my search, heeding the advice of many on this thread, I have started to look at much smaller displacement motorcycles. Again, the challenge being my 6‘5“ height and 260-pound weight, I am finding it difficult to identify a smaller displacement motorcycle that I can be comfortable on.

Something like this seemed very appealing, but all of the reviews online show it to be a very small motorcycle: 2019 BMW G 310 GS shared from the CycleTrader iOS App.
https://m39t6.app.goo.gl/s86ah

I am open to any suggestions that members might have on a smaller displacement motorcycle that would fit in my size well.

As far as riding gear, I have received my pants, jacket, and gloves. I am still pending receipt of the shoes and have yet to order a helmet. Hopefully my shoes will ship out sometime in mid-May. Once I receive the shoes and the helmet, I will sign up for the rider safety course.

+2 That's a cool article.

2019 BMW G 310 GS That looks like a fun bike to thrash around on, very much a MTB riding position. With only 34 hp though might be a little little.
Used Ducati Monster? Super great bike. I know a few people who started first bike on a Monster and loved them. Good torque for your weight.

Paul G said:

How did you get on, here's an interesting article written on the progression to a pani that you may find useful The Sportbike Progression: Everyman’s Path To Panigale

Click to expand...

What do you guys think of this?


Check out this 2018 Ducati MONSTER 797 PLUS shared from the CycleTrader iOS App.
https://m39t6.app.goo.gl/6o74j

I went to the dealership today and they wanted to sell me a BMW XR F900. Salesman also stated that a V2 would be fine as a first bike if I used it in Street or rain mode. I was not able to order my helmet as there is a significant difference between the GT air 2 and RF 1400 based on rider position. Seems I have to choose the motorcycle type first before I can choose the helmet type. Open to any thoughts.

Yes, Definitely chose your bike before the helmet exactly for what you pointed out. Riding position. The Monster is a somewhere half way between MTB and Road bike. Ducati V2 are have a lot of torque, meaning, a little gas gives you a lot of jerking acceleration. Rain mode, smooths it out a lot. I haven't ridden a 2018 Monster. They've smoothed them out from what I understand. The clutch springs used to be really tough, now it's nothing as difficult. So newer ones are easier than older ones. Price? I don't know. Check out Kelly Blue Book, they usually sell them at a median price. There are a lot of things only you can evaluate as we are all guessing about what you are capable of. But if you ask me, you have to get something you love, you feel for, you really want to ride. You'll get good at it if... you're not a maniac and don't kill yourself, if you're capable, if, if. You'll learn and then you'll see.
Basic standard theory is to get a thrasher that costs nothing, that you won't feel bad if it falls over. Try it 6 months. Then get something pretty. Some people just get the pretty bike and do well. Others get the pretty bike and trash it 16 times before they learn. That's all up to you. Almost everyone drops their first bike a few times and bangs up the sides in a parking lot going 0 MPH. It's not the end of the world, but if it's a Ducati it'll be expensive. So IMHO, Monster is great if you can handle it. Commitment, study all that.
btw, Most sales guys will tell you what they are supposed to push that week. No one knows what you want except you, nor how much you can spend and all that.

Well, it’s official. I am the proud owner of a 2011 Ducati Monster 796. I purchased the bike with 24K miles for what I feel is a very reasonable price. I had looked at several BMWs, Suzuki’s, etc... This was the right bike at the right price. It should be here Monday.

Thank you to all who provided feedback, articles, advice, etc... I will post some photos of the bike once it arrives.

Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers in your life.

As far as helmet, given the upright riding style, I am going with the Shoei GT Air II, unless anyone has any thoughts to the contrary. It fit well in an Xl at the dealership.

So...

I’ve had the Ducati 796 for a couple of weeks now. I’ve put over 200 miles on the bike; have been doing long rides every weekend.

I went with the Shoei GT Air2, the BILT riding jacket (available in tall), and alpinestar gloves. I have been wearing my gear for every ride, including high top Nikes as there are no riding shoes available in my size (preordered from Revzilla).

Question now is, how long do I ride this bike before moving to the V2? Is it a function of time? Miles? Situations encountered? If any of the above, would like suggestions on what I should be seeking to experience before I make the move.

Thanks in advance.