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Is a Ducati monster 620 really too much bike for a newbie?

I've already passed the motorcycle safety course and feel ready for a real bike. I just don't want to get a little 250 or 500 and want to upgrade within a month. Also, it would be good to know how much it actually costs to keep my would be monster in good shape. I have heard it is expensive, but how bad is it?

Public Comments

1. I don't know much at all about ducatis, any bike is more expensive than people think to maintain well. As for the size, I aguree with you, I think people on here are way too cautious, telling people to get 250 or 500's, it's like going skiing and staying on the bunny hill, and expecting to be able to do moguls after a seasons practice. How are you supposed to gain skill and knowledge if your not even exposed to those situations you will need the practice for later. I started on a 750, but it was a 1990 and this was last summer so it only had around 100hp. When people ask me about a starter bike I tell them this: I understand wanting to be fast and flashy, but think, statistically it's almost guaranteed that you'll at least drop that thing within a few months of owning it, so why buy something expensive and flashy when it's probably going to the scrap yard because you don't know how to ride yet. I bought my bike for 2500 dollars and put it in a ditch two months later, yeah it hurt and it sucked, but almost everyone has to go through it, buy something old/cheap and work your way up to the flashy stuff, trust me. plenty of good looking cheaper bikes out there with just the right amount of power for a beginner.
2. The Ducati Monster is a very cool bike, I can see why you would want one... The honest answer for you is, do NOT buy a sport bike until you are more experienced. When you have put 10,000 miles on a bike, then consider buying a sport bike. Why? Sportbikes handle very responsively (read "twitchy"), are not comfortable for a day trip, and are not very forgiving with newer riders. Insurance for them is often 5 times that of a cruiser... especially if you are a younger rider. I do recommend you buy something like a 750cc cruiser, slightly used, and ride it for two full years. Then buy the bike you really want. This is the safe move, the smart move, and the smart money as well. Remember: "It isn't IF you wreck, but WHEN you wreck". You will lay your bike down, sooner or later. period. Wear the right gear, from head to toe, and ride defensively. Cruiser type bikes are much more forgiving as you develop your skills fully; and then when you are ready, go buy your shiny new Monster! Good luck! Ride safe!
3. I dont think its too much - after all, its a twin, so at 620cc, its got the horsepower of a 500cc Ninja anyway...maybe a little more, but not much. Just more torque. But, the problem isnt just size of the motor. Ducs are expensive as all hell - not just maintenance, but replacement parts too. And, you ARE going to drop this new bike - all noobs do at one point or another, and even us experienced bikers occassionally cant help but lose it in a tight parking lot full of gravel... Insurance is also another thing you will have to consider - it is steep on Italian bikes, especially for noobs. I cant tell you how much it would cost to maintain your bike - that depends upon where you live and how much shops charge in your area, as well as how much you are planning on riding it. I can tell you that Ducs have a very short interval for valve adjustments (when compared to inline four Jap bikes), and that these services typically run around $3-400. If you have to do that every 8-10K miles, and youre doing 30K+ miles a year, youre looking at forking out a lot of dough for valve adjustments. Good luck man.
4. Just throwing my 2 cents in, in regards to insurance, my first bike was a Suzuki Boulevard M-50 (800 cc) cruiser then i got rid of it and got a Yamaha FZ1 sport bike (1000cc). My insurance went from $300/yr to $1000/yr in the blink of an eye. I evetually shopped around and got it down to about $650/yr. SO DEFINITELY CHECK W/ AN INSURANCE CO FIRST!!!! A surprise like $1000 insurance bill really blindsides you. And I recommend taking your local Motorcycle Safety Course. They are usually free and you can get a discount on insurance after finishing. Check out the site www.msf.org Good luck.
5. That bike is a great beginner bike. It is a V-twin with wide power band. In turn it is forgiving if you make a mistake on the throttle. Before you go out and buy the bike, you may want to check how much full coverage insurance is.
6. Short answer: Yes. Yes it is. Long answer: Ducati's are, above all else, Italian bikes. This means that, despite the sexy, sexy body, not only are repairs going to be expensive, they are inevitable. Heck, Motorcyclist Magazine can't even keep Duc's in their long term fleet; They spend too many days in the shop! Plus, those Ducati clutches are notoriously difficult to ride with on the streets. Plus, as has been said elsewhere, you WILL drop it / crash it / damage it in some way. It is simply the way it is. This is not an indication of your skills in any way, but it only takes one ignorant and innattentive cager to mess up your day. My advice? If you must own a sportbike first (as I did), look for a lightly used one, in the 500-600cc range. The 250's really do get old very fast, but don't go out and buy a CBR600RR either. Look for something moderate, like a Katana or even, if you have the scratch, a Ninja 650R. They offer good power, a gradual learning curve, plentiful and cheap replacement parts, and a great deal more comfort than a race-replica bike. Welcome to the sport, my man. See you on the road!