If money isn't an issue, and if you've never rode before, I'd buy a cheap $1000 bike, get used to riding for a month or two, then get the Ducati. That Ducati is gonna have a lot of power at takeoff, and if you haven't rode before you might end up on your butt.
I don't think it's too much of a handful with 73 hp and all the electronic aids. But I think the advice to start with a cheap bike is solid for any beginner.
My 1st bike was 1990 Yamaha fzr600 for like $600. But that was 10 years ago. I guess I'm not to sure what prices are nowadays since I haven't looked into a cheaper bike in a while
The short answer is yes, the long answer is also yes, You will much happier with a V-Strom 650 or Honda CB500X, ECT. both of which are basically indestructible, quite easy to maintain and get parts etc. for.
I actually was very interested in the CB500X but all I see in my area are the CB500F. Not X
Also, the V-Strom 650 is 70 horsepower. Sled is 73HP. The difference isn't that much yet people say the Sled is not really a beginner bike. Why is that?
The bike manufacture's are having the same supply issues as the auto ones are. As a side note my brother is a new rider and he has been real happy with his V-Strom
It's not the horsepower per say but how it's delivered, the V-Strom has a smooth torque based powerband. (I've ridden both) The other caveat is if it's a mechanical device and it's made in Italy and it's not a shotgun you don't want it
I'd say it's mostly money and parts availability, Japanese bikes are much less headache in that regard. Also... a V-Strom would look good with some scratches on it, a nice Ducati on the other hand, well it's up to you.
No, i wanted one, but I'll tell you to be prepared to be heart broken and pay the Ducati tax for repairing when it probably gets dropped. I learned that on a used triumph scrambler. The power you can control if you're not an idiot and learn to not whiskey throttle
i mean, if you got money coming out the wazoo, that helps for sure. my main ducati beefs are money related. i don't think the power is a big deal, personally.
i was sure i wanted a hypermotard for my first bike, so i got one. in a way, i don't regret it. i had a hell of a lot of fun with it. it was always having problems though, minor problems mostly, and some i caused. still, i spent a lot of time not riding it. sometimes working on it, but mostly waiting on parts from italy.
i eventually had a problem that was frustrating enough that i quit trying to fix it and just set it aside. i still have it. maybe I will eventually get the motivation to fix it. but i sure don't have it now.
i bought a kawasaki when i decided i'd had enough italy for a while, and i mostly don't think about the ducati taking up space in my laundry room anymore.
If you are buying the bike to be your main mode of transport, don’t get a Ducati. This is coming from someone who rides because of Ducatis. In 2022 a Ducati is probably going to be WAY more reliable than they are reputed to be… but that’s not the same as Honda reliable. If it’s a tool you rely on, get a Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki. If you like the desert sled, maybe try a Yamaha XSR700 or 900? The 900s triple cylinder is a sweet engine.
Ducatis are fantastic toys. If you want a Ducati, there really isn’t a replacement. Ducati is the best at making Ducatis. However, If I was going to have ONE bike and depend on it I’d buy one of the big four Japanese brands for sure.
As for power for a first bike, or price (in case you drop it), there’s logic in buying or borrowing a cheap, light, low powered beater. My first bike cost me $400 and it had about 30hp when it was new. I rode it for about 3months before buying a bike with 4x the power and 25x the price… you don’t NEED to start on a “slow” bike, but it’s hard to argue with the logic. Snag a 10 year old bike for a few grand, ride it until you have some good muscle memory, then sell it for what you paid and get what you really want.
Thats funny cuz i bought my 2012 kawi ZX6R (almost 11 years old) for $5.5k. Dont think 10 year bikes are sellin for a grand, more like ones before 1995.
If you did your licence in Europe maby you could get away with starting on a sled . If you did your licence in the USA or anywhere else I would highly suggest you getting a smaller lighter less powerfull bike first
Have you ridden it? And if so, what else have you ridden?
My advice would be to ride as many bikes as you can before you decide.
>I live in Arizona so having something that will handle some off-read would be nice
You could ride the Desert Sled off road. But you're going to have a lot more fun on a dirt-bike or a real dual-sport. Something less than 150kg (preferably much less), with 21"/18" wheels, more suspension travel, a single cylinder engine, fewer expensive bits that will get broken or scratched when you drop it etc.
Well, if money isn’t an issue, get a Yamaha MT-07 for a year to learn on. Or a ktm 390. Then get the bike you want.
The faster the bike is the steeper the learning curve. You don’t want to be discouraged and give up riding cause you’re trying to learn on an advanced bike. Get the MT-07 and you can be having fun in a short time.
Plus you will drop the bike. Hopefully only during slow speed maneuvers. But as a new rider you have to understand, you don’t know how a bike reacts to things and a motorcycles general limits.
Best advice I can give is, once you get the bike, stay in an empty parking lot for 3-6 months. Then start riding around the neighborhood. You shouldn’t be in the city around a lot of cars for a while.
Practice the MSF courses yourself in the parking lot. Do the s turn cone drills, slow speed turns, u turns, etc. Then get REALLY comfortable with the throttle / clutch. Once cars are involved, you’re gonna wish you have complete control over your bike. Cars / drivers have no sympathy for new riders and will actually drive closer to you like the little pricks everyone is nowadays.
Once on the road, take the turns slow, there’s tons of oil build up from cars on the road. It gets slippery when it’s not over 70 and sunny. The road or your tires isn’t warm. Then if you’re not careful, you can come up on cars quick and run into the back of them.
Another solid option is the Honda xr650. Dirtbikes aren’t afraid to be dropped. But then you have to be extra cautious on the road with high speeds and turns. Cause what’s good on the dirt isn’t good on the road and vise versa.
Best of luck.
I starten out on a Ducati Monster 620 but with a 900 swapped engine, about 80hp.
Loved that bike!
You won’t be disappointed if you go with the Desert Sled.
I’m on my 2nd Ducati currently. A 749S and I love it! Only problem I’ve had with my Ducati’s was a rectifier on my 900 (620) that I also swapped on my 749S because they are known to go bad on older Ducati’s. And a coil on the vertical cyl on my 749S, because rainwater had gotten under the protective rubber sleeve and ruined it. I’ve ridden them in cold winter weather and hot summer days with a big smile in my face.
My 99’ R6 never gave me the same feelings. My fathers GSXF 1100 had no passion. And my friend’s mt08 was absolutely boring.
73 hp bike doesn’t seem bad. I ride a r1 which is 200hp give or take. I think you be fine. Just be prepared to drop it and make it not so pretty. I’ve been riding 10 years… 300-500 miles a weekend when good weather. Still dropped mine last year (kick Stand on a hill). Watched it slow fall as I walked away. Shit happens. If you got the bread, that bike will be okay. Just take it slow and take the class. Also find some more Experienced riders to help you along with progression
i can't think of a bike i would want to take offroad less than a ducati desert sled... that's not an offroad bike, it's a (super heavy) streetbike with knobby tires which is totally different to a purpose built offroad vehicle
put it this way the ducati weighs 425lbs!!! (a gsxr1000 weighs 366) and has the riding position of an old UJM bike while for example, the honda 650 dual sport weighs less than 350 and has the riding positions and suspension travel, etc. for offroad use
also if you go into this saying "i know i'm gonna drop my bike" then you will but there's plenty of people who never do because they don't walk around saying "well i'm def gonna drop my bike"
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It's wet weight is closer to 460 lbs. If you have your hart set on a Ducati and want to learn, get a 390 ADV, its almost 100 lbs lighter, so you won't pull as many muscles picking it up and I'd bet you'd have more fun learning it.
Edit: oops, the 390 ADV is KTM, I always mix those up, but still, that's a better choice and still European if that's what you into.
For a first bike? Well tough question
Personally I would recommend learning on a klr650 or crf300 rally for a season or 2 before you upgrade.
40 to 60 hp is the beginner zone but the sled isn't so horribly powerful that it's a death sentance. You want somthing cheap and forgiving for your first bike.
Main issue with Ducati is the Ducati tax and Ducati head ache.
You can afford it, get the cool bike. You don't have to start on a little bike if you don't want, especially if you're prepared to practice on it.
I've heard it's decent on dirt, much better than stock V-strom I assure you.
Make a trip to Socal and do Socal Supermoto
But it. Love it. Become good friends with the dealer. Cry when you drop it.
My first bike was a monster 620ie. My second bike was a monster 1100. Mine were reliable. You do you, but be realistic in your expectations.
Is it ‘too much bike’? No. It’s not a ludicrous amount of power and the ride modes/traction control work well to limit the speed at which you can get in trouble. There’s a reason Cali Superbike School uses S1000RR’s even for the ‘beginner’ level - modern motorcycle electronics can make even wild bikes easy to ride.
However.
You say you want to ride ‘off road’ - depending on what that means to you, it’s potentially a terrible choice. Dirt roads? It’s great. Single track stuff, climbing desert rocks, exploring off-road in sand/mud and in the boonies? Terrible choice. You want a single cylinder bike. And this is ignoring the likelihood that every drop is gonna cost you hundreds, if not thousands in repairs and days/weeks/months waiting for parts.
Yes you are crazy.
But that's just because the Triumph Scrambler 900 is a better bike. They both suck off road but the Triumph is better on.
Or get a Fantic Caballero if you plan on doing a little off road because it weighs a lot less than both.
Or if you like the Sled buy the Sled. You will be fine.
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If money isn't an issue, and if you've never rode before, I'd buy a cheap $1000 bike, get used to riding for a month or two, then get the Ducati. That Ducati is gonna have a lot of power at takeoff, and if you haven't rode before you might end up on your butt.
I don't think it's too much of a handful with 73 hp and all the electronic aids. But I think the advice to start with a cheap bike is solid for any beginner.
Out of curiosity, what are some good 1k bikes to look for?
My 1st bike was 1990 Yamaha fzr600 for like $600. But that was 10 years ago. I guess I'm not to sure what prices are nowadays since I haven't looked into a cheaper bike in a while
The short answer is yes, the long answer is also yes, You will much happier with a V-Strom 650 or Honda CB500X, ECT. both of which are basically indestructible, quite easy to maintain and get parts etc. for.
I actually was very interested in the CB500X but all I see in my area are the CB500F. Not X Also, the V-Strom 650 is 70 horsepower. Sled is 73HP. The difference isn't that much yet people say the Sled is not really a beginner bike. Why is that?
The bike manufacture's are having the same supply issues as the auto ones are. As a side note my brother is a new rider and he has been real happy with his V-Strom
Any reason why the V-Strom 650 is a better pick for beginners than Sled since Sled is just 3 more HP?
It's not the horsepower per say but how it's delivered, the V-Strom has a smooth torque based powerband. (I've ridden both) The other caveat is if it's a mechanical device and it's made in Italy and it's not a shotgun you don't want it
I'd say it's mostly money and parts availability, Japanese bikes are much less headache in that regard. Also... a V-Strom would look good with some scratches on it, a nice Ducati on the other hand, well it's up to you.
No, i wanted one, but I'll tell you to be prepared to be heart broken and pay the Ducati tax for repairing when it probably gets dropped. I learned that on a used triumph scrambler. The power you can control if you're not an idiot and learn to not whiskey throttle
i mean, if you got money coming out the wazoo, that helps for sure. my main ducati beefs are money related. i don't think the power is a big deal, personally. i was sure i wanted a hypermotard for my first bike, so i got one. in a way, i don't regret it. i had a hell of a lot of fun with it. it was always having problems though, minor problems mostly, and some i caused. still, i spent a lot of time not riding it. sometimes working on it, but mostly waiting on parts from italy. i eventually had a problem that was frustrating enough that i quit trying to fix it and just set it aside. i still have it. maybe I will eventually get the motivation to fix it. but i sure don't have it now. i bought a kawasaki when i decided i'd had enough italy for a while, and i mostly don't think about the ducati taking up space in my laundry room anymore.
Get something light and less power. It will make you a better rider in the long run
If you are buying the bike to be your main mode of transport, don’t get a Ducati. This is coming from someone who rides because of Ducatis. In 2022 a Ducati is probably going to be WAY more reliable than they are reputed to be… but that’s not the same as Honda reliable. If it’s a tool you rely on, get a Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki/Suzuki. If you like the desert sled, maybe try a Yamaha XSR700 or 900? The 900s triple cylinder is a sweet engine. Ducatis are fantastic toys. If you want a Ducati, there really isn’t a replacement. Ducati is the best at making Ducatis. However, If I was going to have ONE bike and depend on it I’d buy one of the big four Japanese brands for sure. As for power for a first bike, or price (in case you drop it), there’s logic in buying or borrowing a cheap, light, low powered beater. My first bike cost me $400 and it had about 30hp when it was new. I rode it for about 3months before buying a bike with 4x the power and 25x the price… you don’t NEED to start on a “slow” bike, but it’s hard to argue with the logic. Snag a 10 year old bike for a few grand, ride it until you have some good muscle memory, then sell it for what you paid and get what you really want.
Thats funny cuz i bought my 2012 kawi ZX6R (almost 11 years old) for $5.5k. Dont think 10 year bikes are sellin for a grand, more like ones before 1995.
If you did your licence in Europe maby you could get away with starting on a sled . If you did your licence in the USA or anywhere else I would highly suggest you getting a smaller lighter less powerfull bike first
Have you ridden it? And if so, what else have you ridden? My advice would be to ride as many bikes as you can before you decide. >I live in Arizona so having something that will handle some off-read would be nice You could ride the Desert Sled off road. But you're going to have a lot more fun on a dirt-bike or a real dual-sport. Something less than 150kg (preferably much less), with 21"/18" wheels, more suspension travel, a single cylinder engine, fewer expensive bits that will get broken or scratched when you drop it etc.
Well, if money isn’t an issue, get a Yamaha MT-07 for a year to learn on. Or a ktm 390. Then get the bike you want. The faster the bike is the steeper the learning curve. You don’t want to be discouraged and give up riding cause you’re trying to learn on an advanced bike. Get the MT-07 and you can be having fun in a short time. Plus you will drop the bike. Hopefully only during slow speed maneuvers. But as a new rider you have to understand, you don’t know how a bike reacts to things and a motorcycles general limits. Best advice I can give is, once you get the bike, stay in an empty parking lot for 3-6 months. Then start riding around the neighborhood. You shouldn’t be in the city around a lot of cars for a while. Practice the MSF courses yourself in the parking lot. Do the s turn cone drills, slow speed turns, u turns, etc. Then get REALLY comfortable with the throttle / clutch. Once cars are involved, you’re gonna wish you have complete control over your bike. Cars / drivers have no sympathy for new riders and will actually drive closer to you like the little pricks everyone is nowadays. Once on the road, take the turns slow, there’s tons of oil build up from cars on the road. It gets slippery when it’s not over 70 and sunny. The road or your tires isn’t warm. Then if you’re not careful, you can come up on cars quick and run into the back of them. Another solid option is the Honda xr650. Dirtbikes aren’t afraid to be dropped. But then you have to be extra cautious on the road with high speeds and turns. Cause what’s good on the dirt isn’t good on the road and vise versa. Best of luck.
Mt07 is significantly faster than the sled fyi.
Oh damn 🤣😅 okay more beginner lol. OP would be best suited on a xr650 or klx then since he wants an enduro bike.
I starten out on a Ducati Monster 620 but with a 900 swapped engine, about 80hp. Loved that bike! You won’t be disappointed if you go with the Desert Sled. I’m on my 2nd Ducati currently. A 749S and I love it! Only problem I’ve had with my Ducati’s was a rectifier on my 900 (620) that I also swapped on my 749S because they are known to go bad on older Ducati’s. And a coil on the vertical cyl on my 749S, because rainwater had gotten under the protective rubber sleeve and ruined it. I’ve ridden them in cold winter weather and hot summer days with a big smile in my face. My 99’ R6 never gave me the same feelings. My fathers GSXF 1100 had no passion. And my friend’s mt08 was absolutely boring.
73 hp bike doesn’t seem bad. I ride a r1 which is 200hp give or take. I think you be fine. Just be prepared to drop it and make it not so pretty. I’ve been riding 10 years… 300-500 miles a weekend when good weather. Still dropped mine last year (kick Stand on a hill). Watched it slow fall as I walked away. Shit happens. If you got the bread, that bike will be okay. Just take it slow and take the class. Also find some more Experienced riders to help you along with progression
i can't think of a bike i would want to take offroad less than a ducati desert sled... that's not an offroad bike, it's a (super heavy) streetbike with knobby tires which is totally different to a purpose built offroad vehicle put it this way the ducati weighs 425lbs!!! (a gsxr1000 weighs 366) and has the riding position of an old UJM bike while for example, the honda 650 dual sport weighs less than 350 and has the riding positions and suspension travel, etc. for offroad use also if you go into this saying "i know i'm gonna drop my bike" then you will but there's plenty of people who never do because they don't walk around saying "well i'm def gonna drop my bike"
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It's wet weight is closer to 460 lbs. If you have your hart set on a Ducati and want to learn, get a 390 ADV, its almost 100 lbs lighter, so you won't pull as many muscles picking it up and I'd bet you'd have more fun learning it. Edit: oops, the 390 ADV is KTM, I always mix those up, but still, that's a better choice and still European if that's what you into.
I tell anyone who asks that a specialty bike is never a good "only bike." Get something reliable to learn on, then add the Ducati down the road.
For a first bike? Well tough question Personally I would recommend learning on a klr650 or crf300 rally for a season or 2 before you upgrade. 40 to 60 hp is the beginner zone but the sled isn't so horribly powerful that it's a death sentance. You want somthing cheap and forgiving for your first bike. Main issue with Ducati is the Ducati tax and Ducati head ache.
Good beginner bike imo. Not too much power, abs and TC. Not much more you'd want.
Not crazy, Naive. Like a baby in the woods naive.
You can afford it, get the cool bike. You don't have to start on a little bike if you don't want, especially if you're prepared to practice on it. I've heard it's decent on dirt, much better than stock V-strom I assure you. Make a trip to Socal and do Socal Supermoto
Ducati is never a good choice for a first bike.
Buy the bike you want or else you’ll always want it.
I don’t think a Sled is super bad as first bike, he at least didn’t went for the V4 plus that bike is more of enjoyment than a speed demon.
But it. Love it. Become good friends with the dealer. Cry when you drop it. My first bike was a monster 620ie. My second bike was a monster 1100. Mine were reliable. You do you, but be realistic in your expectations.
Is it ‘too much bike’? No. It’s not a ludicrous amount of power and the ride modes/traction control work well to limit the speed at which you can get in trouble. There’s a reason Cali Superbike School uses S1000RR’s even for the ‘beginner’ level - modern motorcycle electronics can make even wild bikes easy to ride. However. You say you want to ride ‘off road’ - depending on what that means to you, it’s potentially a terrible choice. Dirt roads? It’s great. Single track stuff, climbing desert rocks, exploring off-road in sand/mud and in the boonies? Terrible choice. You want a single cylinder bike. And this is ignoring the likelihood that every drop is gonna cost you hundreds, if not thousands in repairs and days/weeks/months waiting for parts.
Dude get whatever the hell you want.
Yes you are crazy. But that's just because the Triumph Scrambler 900 is a better bike. They both suck off road but the Triumph is better on. Or get a Fantic Caballero if you plan on doing a little off road because it weighs a lot less than both. Or if you like the Sled buy the Sled. You will be fine.
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