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What kind of Ducati for my first motorcycle?

I'm a 19-year-old female. I am planning on buying my first motorcycle. I'm planning on a Ducati for my first bike, and I wanted to know if (if at all) this is a good idea, and what model. I have no riding experience. I'm 5'3" and 120 lbs by the way..

Public Comments

well a ducati has alot of power and if you are not used to riding you are going to get hurt! my best thought would be a Yamaha R6 or a Suzuki becz they are more first time bikes! and they are just as fast. iduno how tall you are but the R6 is perfect for a girl but has the horsepower everyone wants my hunband and i both have R6's now we love them! i have a ducati and ive had an r1 trust me ducati is a bit much for a first! i am 5'5 and an R6 is the only one i could touch the floor on and im almost 190 a ducati is ALOT of bike!
Trust me, you can learn to ride any bike. If you ever attend any of the bike meets held around the country (IE Laconia, NH Daytona, FL etc.) you will see every size woman riding every size and type of bike out there. If you would like to go Ducati, check out the "Monster" models. A couple of years ago they offered the Monster 620 Dark, I assume it is still available, or, the equivalent. You may be able to pick up a used one and save some money. EDIT: Just checked the Ducati website, for 2009 the smaller "Monster" is the 696 offered in three colors and at 355 pounds they say its the lightest most agile bike in its class.
Duc's are sexxxxy as he!!
Ducati's are a little on the expensive side. You will feel horrible if you drop a new one. They're not particularly new rider friendly, but the L-twin motors are actually quite a bit more forgiving than Inline 4 motor (like you'd get in most sportbikes). I don't have a lot of experience, but from what I remember, the seat felt like "sitting on a park bench", and the thing sounded terrible at idle (I believe this is pretty much normal for ducs), and I couldn't see anything in the mirrors. Oh also, they have this wierd valve adjustment that needs to be done I think every 5000 miles, and it's pretty expensive unless you do it yourself. Why not get something that's used, and quite a bit less expensive, and get some practice on a bike you won't worry about dropping. Once you feel you've gotten beyond that phase, sell your bike to the next newbie, and then buy your Ducati. I always thought the first gen SV650's looked a lot like the Ducati Monster -I call the Monster the SV tribute bike :) And it would be even more forgiving, and much cheaper if you happen to drop one. Personally, I'm not particular about any brand - I own a Honda, a Kawasaki and a Suzuki. Every bike has its plusses and minuses. Ducatis have a nice exotic look and feel, but just as much fun can be had on a lot less money and with a lot less trouble.
Glad to hear that you're excited about getting into riding motorcycles! To answer your question, a Ducati (personally) would not be my first option since they're: 1) expensive 2) costly to maintain 3) very temperamental (you MUST adhere to the required maintenance cycles) As someone here already mentioned, you would definitely feel bad about dropping your bike (which you will do sooner or later). Don't be shocked when asked to spend $500 or more for used body panels to replace your bike. And that's just for one section! Instead, consider a much cheaper manufacturer. How about Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, etc.? As a new rider, I would suggest a Suzuki SV650. It's a great starter bike with plenty of horsepower and easy to maintain. It also comes naked but with the option to buy body panels. You'd learn more and faster on this bike as opposed to a Suzuki GSXR600, trust me. Ergonomically, it fits nearly everyone. There are countless other choices to consider as well but this model of bike is right up your alley. When you decide what bike you want make sure to get something even more important: proper gear--- new DOT-approved helmet (don't buy a used helmet!), boots, gloves, jacket, etc.. Once that's done, take the MSF basic riders course. It's a 2-day course that'll teach you the fundamentals of riding. If you're military, it's a free course otherwise you could pay upwards of $300.00. Good luck in your search and ride safe!
A second-hand Monster 600. Prices should be dropping now that the new models are out. Once you have a year or two's experience, you can go and buy what you like.
Ducati Monster 696 is the way to go if you have set your heart on a Ducati. http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2009/ModelPage.jhtml?family=Monster&model=M696-09 In the mid-90s Ducati improved its quality control and service intervals of 7500 miles are now required (this is a good distance compared to some bikes), obviously buying secondhand is going to be cheaper but as long as you get a full dealer service history you should be fine in the respect of bike's quality. However, start on something a bit smaller in capacity, learn to walk before you can run, and you will be more confident and get more enjoyment from your first big bike. There are people who go out and buy a GSXRCBRR6RR etc etc as their first bike – they won't get the best from their bike for several years, if at all, while spending a small fortune on consumables (for instance tyres that are only worn in the middle of the tread).
If you have to have a Ducati, then a monster is what you should look at. I would not own one because of the screwy valve system they use. A japanese bike will be both less expensive and more reliable, but I understand the desire for style.