2008 Ducati Monster 696?

Question

Is this a good beginners bike?

I've never ridden a motorbike like this in my life and don't want the learning curve to be so steep I die.

If you have any better suggestions please jot them down.

I need a bike to grow with.

It will only be used about 4-5 months out of the year for trips around town and on the twisty roads around here.

I want something kinda sporty...

Answer 1

I don't see why not, it should be fine if you're up to it.  It's always best to start on a used bike so there are no worries if/when you tip over, but go for it if you can afford it.  A comparable, and cheaper, bike would be the Suzuki SV650.  They're both a lot of fun and plenty powerful, so I recommend a motorcycle safety course if you don't have any experience.

Answer 2

This is not a bike for beginners.

I can't recommend a good first bike for you without knowing about how old you are, and how big you are.

Getting this as a first bike is like getting a Ferrari or a Lamborghini as a first car.

Your learning curve will be much more tame with a 250cc to 750cc Japanese bike, and threy're all sporty to some extent.

Answer 3

For that kind of money, you could get a Suzuki SV650, full leathers and kit, a year's worth of insurance, and still have $1000 left over!

Don't get me wrong, Ducs are dead s**y.  But do you really want to drop a pretty $10k Italian bike like that because you're a newbie?  Yes, you WILL drop it at least once.  Better to get a less expensive bike to start with, and the SV is one of the best ones to ride.

Answer 4

I agree that the Monster 696 is a little too much bike for a novice.  They are designed for experienced riders.

A smaller Japanese make will be more forgiving, and when (not if) you lay it down, it will cost you a lot less to repair.  :)