Hi Everyone, I would appreciate some advise please folks. I rode various bikes in my 20's & early 30's - last bike was 20 years ago, a GSX 750 slingshot. Now 50, I have the urge to get a toy. There is so much choice & being out of the bike world for so long it's difficult place to know where to start. I am drawn to Ducati ever since they developed the Pantah many years ago, but couldn't really afford one. I think the Diavel looks absolutely stunning & I quite like the hybrid feel of sports/cruiser/tourer - but am I being stupid even considering such a big bike as I haven't even ridden a bike for over 20 years. Would it be too much of a leap from where i left many years ago. I know that i don't want an out right sports bike like I had in my 20's. Would I be better off looking at say a Monster 696/796 initially? Appreciate your thoughts.
Do a refresher somewhere - you can often use their bikes Then go test ride a few I had a longish break from road riding - lot more cars out there now
As above, get some re-training, then see how you feel, bikes today are so much more capable of ridiculous speed without trying than 20 years ago, you can buy what you like then, it will only go as quick as you want it to! what you want to avoid is then tagging onto a group of riders and being led into dangerous territory as the red mist comes down, and becoming another born again statistic. good luck.
Both good replies above, a refresher course just for your own confidence, I hadn't ridden a bike for 30 years before getting back on my 748 and it was like a duck to water. Then take a few test rides before committing yourself. Steve O: And welcome to the forum.
Buy Ducbird's 600SS...........you couldn't start off with a better bike.... I had numerous large capacity bikes before I concentrated on racing sidecars....last road bike in the early 90s was a ZZR1100........but when I came back to road bikes after a long period, I decided that even though I was experienced with big capacities, I would be better / safer (maybe) with a smaller one, hence the 750SS.... ....and frankly, I think I was right.......although I can still remove my brain (very occassionally), I have no doubt that getting a larger bike now would bring me problems........mind you I am a bit older than the OP. AL
Thanks for the advice - sounds sensible. I will def go & do a refresher course. it was also confirm whether i have got the bug back. And the more I think of it the Monster 796 seems a much better choice.
Where are you based mate ???? I run rider plus courses , which would be ideal for you .... Give me a ring pm sent
I came back to bikes after 20 years away and started on an old XJ650 just to get myself back into things. I've worked my way through a CBF600, an ST1050, BMW R1100RT before I got my ST3. If you are near Duke take his offer of a refresher course and then take some test rides. Modern bikes are miles better in all respects than they were back in the old days!
If you like the look of the Diavel, take one out. Its not going to bite your head off as you still control the throttle. As some have suggested do a few test rides on a few things. The Monsters are great, but small, so it depends on how big you are. Im 6-3 and look/feel stupid on the monster (still love them thou ) but fit the Diavel well. DB 600ss is also a good bet
A 600 or 750ss would be ideal. Remember the first couple of rides on a Ducati always feel odd as they are so different to anything else (except perhaps a Bimota) but as you tune onto it they are amazing. The air cooled pantah engine is very reliable and tractable, and goes much better than the paper figures sugest. The 900 variant (paticularly in SS ie form) makes a very effective road bike in experienced hands, capable of catching quicker bikes unaware with its wide spread of power, and fantastic ability to slingshot out of corners on a wave of torque.
go for an ST4S ABS... it will not kill you with its power but you should not get bored... it will take you anywhere for longer periods of time.. it s not the most sophisticated engine to maintain.. once you get the hang of it, it will allow you more than enough fun... and the purchase price will not get much lower... you can skip on some insurances ... so if you would want to upgrade to lets say a Multustrada afterwards, it won't have cost you an arm and a leg.. if she would like to : there is room for a partner to find out whether she likes riding weekends out... and it does have ABS to get comfortable safely ... it is not a bike that will push you to go faster as it loves to ride on the grunt... now isn't that some sound advice...
I'd suggest a second hand 796 for a season to get reacquainted and then get a Diavel in your second year when you're less likely to drop it and empty your bank account. That way, you shouldn't lose too much cash.
Just what I'am thinking : -) Really appreciate all the advice so far. I'll take up earlier advice & go on a 'rusty rider' course first & take it from there.
Whatever you get, suggest you go for something with high/low power modes, ABS brakes, traction control - basically all the electronic riding aids you can get. If you make a lot of mistakes, the electronics might get you out of trouble. That's what I find!
