Starter Bike to Work up to the Ducati 899

Hey,

I wanted to get into riding motorcycles now that i have some financial room and wanted to see if you guys have any advice on where to start?

I spoke to some friends and they said to enroll in a motorcycle course to get your license. They also mentioned that having a motorcycle license will lower your insurance rate.

Ever since I was a little kid, I've always wanted to ride, but financials made it very difficult to justify it.

With my friends advice, I am enrolling in a motorcycle course just to get the basics down and I have an idea of what to expect there. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a starter bike that compares to a 899 with a lot less power. Cheaper the better, but if there is an option that would allow me to upgrade to a 899 easily, I'd rather go for that.

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

899 or Supersport

Would using the wet mode on the 899, make it easier to handle as a beginner?

or is it better just to do the Supersport? Maybe the 2017 model, or the 2007 as you mentioned.

I'm hoping the MSL course I take will give me enough confidence and knowledge not to do anything stupid.

Would it be easier to learn on a Ninja 400 ABS since the 899 has ABS as well?

or does that not really matter... I'm honestly liking the Ninja 400 Green look.

I think I could get one for $4200-4500 in my area after getting my license.

Okay so I wanted to post an update on where I am at:

I went through a weekend motorcycle safety course to get my endorsement for my license. Going into the course, I was not too confident in riding a cruiser style motorcycle (Suzuki Intruder 250) what so-ever. The first day, the only thing I was good at was counter-steering.... going slow in that type of a position was not my thing. I slowly started to get better at turning very slow but it just didn't feel too natural to me. I kind of feel lucky passing the riding portion of the test on the first go.

So then I ended up buying a 2018 KTM RC390 at 438 miles for $4.5k. The second I rode it in my parking lot, I knew I screwed up by buying a too slow of a bike. Honestly, it felt so much natural! Every doubt I kind of had went away as turning in tight spots became easy. Going through bends and curves felt exhilarating especially with the knee down. I also had a few opportunities to ride my buddy's 2007 Yahama R6s, which was absurdly loud with his aftermarket parts! The speed/acceleration was amazing and surprisingly to me, not super overwhelming. But I still wonder how the Ducati Panigale compares to the R6s.

At this point, I have rode it about 4600 miles and it sits in my friends shed (battery removed).
I am trying to sell it on CL so that I can buy a Ducati 899, Ducati 959, Ducati 959 Corse, or Ducati V2....

Was hoping to get your take on it...

So far have Quotes for
2018 Ducati 959 Corse: Out the door = $15k (<400 miles) <------ Will this bike hold its value the best out of the bikes I have listed?
2020 Ducati v2: Out the door = $19.4k (0 miles)

Also does it matter if I have the Ducati out-doors for Spring & Summer with the Guardian Heavy-Duty Bike Cover on?