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I just got a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250. It is my first bike and I absolutely love it. But a lot of my friends with bikes are older and have 650r’s, gs500′s, SV650SF’s and bikes of that nature. I have a good feel for riding motorcycles, which is what I think 250′s are for. Now I want a faster bike that I can show off. I know that I need to start saving up to get bigger bike and I really like ducati’s but never understood them in a way. Do they have bikes around the 600cc range.
Thanks
A reply to easygoins… answer.
I have had the bike for about 6 to 7 months and by faster I just mean faster than the mile it takes to get to 80mph. I said slowest because I don’t think I am ready for the fastest and I was preety sure it would be around a 600cc and that is the average step up for most I hear. Most would think I was pretty experienced from the 12 years I have been riding motorcycles and dirt bikes. I have taken just about every class available.
I have never lay-ed the bike down and I have had my motorcycle license for about 1 year and a half, I just never had a bike of my own.

Check out the Ducati Monster 696cc it you want a head turner that is much quicker than that 250 there you go. Lots of low end grunt and it should do 130mph +.

If you like naked bikes it is the one for you!

Reserve $9,000 deposit that I can give back at the end of the 4 hours?

I leave it in front of my beach house in CA. It gets a lot of questions and I see a lot of ferraris/porches/audis for rent for 24 hours.

Simple equation No business license = No rent

Are you paying for the name? or are the standard parts on the Ducati motorcycle better then the standard parts of the popular Japanese motorcycles? Does it have a better ride and feel? Is it worth paying twice as much for a motorcycle?

The Ducati’s are relativly low volume production and are pretty much hand built. They have what could be considered a lot of custom made parts. The Buell handles real well but still has 50yr old ‘technology’ the Ducati may not be totally reliable but has even more character than any HD and is a little bit cheaper. not much good unless you intend going quite quick though.
Some of the parts are better quality and dont need changing, even for racing. Its like asking why is a Ferrari so expensive?
Ducati have also won a lot of world championships, when did HD win anything where other manufacturers were allowed to compete on equal terms?

I’m an extremely tall driver- 6’9". But I’m not ready to make the move from sportbike to cruiser. I’ve always wanted a Ducati- and would be interested in either new or used.

I have a suzuki RF600R- the only suzuki sportbike I’ve been able to ride semi-comfortably.

Thanks!

That an easy answer, it’s the Multistrada.

Though billed as an Adventure Tourer it’s in reality more of a sit up street bike with loads of suspension travel and a seat height of 33.5". Largely unchanged since it’s initial release with the exception of a displacement increase from 1000cc to 1100cc in ’07 it is about as perfect motorcyle as has ever been built, capable of handling long range touring chores as well as being a real ‘Sport Bike’ spoiler in the twisties! The leverage you get from the riding position and those wide bars lets you toss the thing around like a toy and you’ll leave any ‘Sport Bike’ in third and fourth gear technical type riding long behind without really breaking a sweat.

The only detracters may be it’s love it/hate it styling though it does grow on you rather quickly…strange how excellence has a way of doing that isn’t it? It does take some getting used to but the ride and handling makes up for it in spades. Oh, and lets not forget the sweetest sounding exhaust note in all the world bar none, even Harley riders will droll with envy though they’ll never admit it. Oh well, they can just wipe away the spittle and tears with there leather hankies and go about putting on their usual 500 miles per year while you keep on grinning.

Of course there is a bit more maintainence involved in owning a Ducati what with valve and belt adjustment but being built on the venerable 2V mill it’s nigh bulletproof when shown proper care. Another plus is it’s availability in either the base Showa suspended or the ‘S’ model equiped with Ohlins fore and aft and lots of tasty carbon fiber bits.

I’d recommend checking the used market as it pays to let someone else put on the upgrades like aftermarket exhaust and the like rather than foot the bill yourself as buyers of Ducati bikes tend to be on the affluent side and th prices of goodies are geared towards this. Besides, I would look for an ‘S’ model as it’s impossible to replicate the extras in the aftermarket for the price difference and when it comes to the big daddy Ohlins it’s worth it!

Now 6′ 9" is a bit lofty for comfort on any bike but there are options available to make these babies fit. Aftermarket seats can be custom sourced from Corbin with extra foam for an increase of a inch or so (upgrade to a gel inset as well, it’s worth it) and pegs can be lowered and moved to provide a custom fit, if not avilable in the catalogs then custom ordered from a machine shop specializing in billet rearsets and such. Not cheap but then again, can you really put a pricetag on comfort.

Honestly, the Ducati is the only mark to ever provide an almost spiritual feel each and every time I throw a leg over the saddle and that’s saying something. Do yourself a favor and give one a test ride, just make sure you have the funds to buy one BEFORE you do or you’ll be crying yourself to sleep till the day you can call one your own.

I recently began giving thought to buying a motorcycle, and I want something that’s not to fast, more along the line of "easy to handle". Any suggestions?

I wouldn’t think of either brand for easy beginner bikes. I like the Ducati monsters in smaller cc for a starter type bike, I think I’ve seen them quite frequently in 600cc.
An ideal beginner bike would be inexpensive, lightweight, and forgiving. Look at some of the 250′s if you are average size with no riding experience, rebel 250 or virago 250 can be found used for around $2500 and you can usually sell them for what you paid in a summer or two after you get some experience and move up. If you are set on a racier bike look at the ninja 250.
If you’d like something a little bigger for a first bike if you are a bit on the larger side or have some experience I would recommend a 500cc+ cruiser style. Buell made a 500cc Blast that might fit the bill if you are looking for something a bit different.

If you’re the type of person that can appreciate one of the finest pieces of machinery ever built than get the Ducati. I have had them all and what the magazines don’t tell you is how solid the ducati feels. When you’re dragging your knee around a turn at over 120MPH you feel in complete control. Your other option is a flimsy aluminum frame bike with a very peaky power band. Both will get you around the track, and you can argue all day about which one is a split second faster (which means nothing to non professionals) but if you want precision, theres no question about it.

Also, in my opinion Ducati’s are some of the all time greatest bikes ever make and a true classic’s. The Ninja is just another Kawasaki.

I know its a Ducati Sport Classic 1000, but Does anyone know what year?

That would be a 2010 same year as the movie

Looking for Ducati motorcycle tools such as the mathises and others for personal use. I’m not a dealership so Ducati will not help me out. Tried Ebay and other places but no one has them. Does anyone know of a source that would hook me up?

sure

Im 16, im allowed to get a Ducati but im not sure which one i want. Im a girl, i want something sporty looking… not too crazy. Im not gonna go race in it, just drive around California etc… but i dont want a dirt bike and nothing too small. Im looking at the Hypermotards, Multistara, Streetfighter, and Monster. I know theres like a lot of choices but if you know alot of shit about this help! price range around 10,000- 15,000 thanks!
height:5"2′
weight:120
in case that helps?
Thanks for all the answers, its all really helpful! but to add more ‘details’ money is not an issue for me, i dont want a scooter, and yes motorcycles are sexy. keeep the answers rolling’

The Monster 696 is a good option. Don’t listen to these other people, a scooter or a ninja 250 jeez. I own a 1098S and think Ducati makes the best bikes around

I’ve been riding for 39 years and think a woman riding a real bike is just about the sexiest thing I have seen. Aaah if I was just 40 years younger….

Hey guys I have been looking too buy a Ducati monster 1100, I definitely like the bike and would love to own one. The only problem is
I am having problems finding companies that insure them in Canada.

Any ideas, I know that Gore and State-farm don’t.
I am looking for the best rate as well if possible.
Dalton Timmis Insurance Quoted me 6400 full coverage on a Ducati 1100, the reason being im under 30.
WTF…. Im 25 btw.

No accidents either… crazy

Are you in Ontario? I’m told insurance on high-powered motorcycles out there is insanely expensive. Here in BC we have (in addition to ICBC) Beacon, Megson Fitzpatrick, Coast Capitol, Canadian Direct and a few others.

Many of them refuse to insure large displacement sport type bikes though, and you’re stuck with ICBC. Not as expensive as insurance in Ontario, but not cheap, either. Good luck, I’m not sure you’ll get cheaper rates, though.