Ducati 796 for returning rider...

Tromatic · 08-10-2012, 02:56 PM

My sister is thinking about getting back into riding, but it's been a few years. She does not currently have her license, so would take the Team Oregon class first.

Since she is almost as beat-up as I am, I was thinking the 250 Ninja or CBR250 would be great, until I realized this would be a fine way to get a Ducati. I'm working on going halves on the cost. If that doesn't work, I might just go ahead and buy the thing myself and share. Having her on my insurance coverage was far less than I thought it would be.

Assuming she fits it and likes it, would a 696/796 be too much bike? My bicycle seems heavier than either one of them.

Watcha' think?

cletus · 08-10-2012, 03:07 PM

A Ducati 695 was my first ever bike. I loved it and put almost 30,000 miles on it taking trips, local rides, track days, and it served as my daily year round commuter.

The big question is how much prior experience does she have? In my first year of riding I did manage to fall a couple of times. The bike held up surprisingly well, but replacing parts on a Ducati is never a cheap venture.

KNanthrup · 08-10-2012, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by cletus

A Ducati 695 was my first ever bike. I loved it and put almost 30,000 miles on it taking trips, local rides, track days, and it served as my daily year round commuter.

The big question is how much prior experience does she have? In my first year of riding I did manage to fall a couple of times. The bike held up surprisingly well, but replacing parts on a Ducati is never a cheap venture.

Then my buddy (and now previous housemate) bought your Monster. I actually rode it home from Eastside for him in the rain

Great bikes, and IMO the power delivery is very managable. Completely different feel from a ninja or cbr 250, but might be more enjoyable for a novice rider on the street because of the torque delivery. They are also fairly compact, so I would imagine a small-ish rider should fit just fine on it.

Tromatic · 08-10-2012, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by cletus

A Ducati 695 was my first ever bike. I loved it and put almost 30,000 miles on it taking trips, local rides, track days, and it served as my daily year round commuter.

The big question is how much prior experience does she have? In my first year of riding I did manage to fall a couple of times. The bike held up surprisingly well, but replacing parts on a Ducati is never a cheap venture.

10 years, roughly. Much of that in SLC. I need to get her to go sit on the thing!

cletus · 08-10-2012, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by KNanthrup

Then my buddy (and now previous housemate) bought your Monster. I actually rode it home from Eastside for him in the rain

Great bikes, and IMO the power delivery is very managable. Completely different feel from a ninja or cbr 250, but might be more enjoyable for a novice rider on the street because of the torque delivery. They are also fairly compact, so I would imagine a small-ish rider should fit just fine on it.

I was wondering where it ended up. BTW, if he wants the original seat and stock mirrors, I've got em.

millejim · 08-10-2012, 03:39 PM

i like the style of the older monsters. we have a '07 695 in the stable. very nice.

and Cletus i might be interested in the seat.

Are_Six · 08-10-2012, 03:44 PM

My friend got a Monster 796 as his first bike. I think they are great for that and you won't be disapointed with it in 3 years. Get the ABS model (despite usually decrying such technology on a starter bike it would've kept me and a couple friends off the pavement).

A lot of starter bikes (say a Buell Blast, older 250R) are good starters, but 6 months later you're already coveting other machines. Not so with the Monster. Just did a 1300 mile trip with a couple friends, two Superbikes (1098, Mille-R) and the Monster 796. We both tricked the Monster owner into switching bikes for a while, because his bike was a much better sport tourer, and kept up just fine in the double digit range.

Comfy, super light steering feel, good engine, good torque, has a nice sweet spot 4-7k rpms.

Also the newer ones 695, 796, aren't all that bad in terms of maintenence. Parts are still relatively pricey, but it's a fricken motorcycle, they are all just expensive toys.

KNanthrup · 08-10-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by cletus

I was wondering where it ended up. BTW, if he wants the original seat and stock mirrors, I've got em.

Thanks, but it's long gone now. He moved on to a streetfighter and now a multistrada.

Look familar? It was tastefully done... all we did was a tail chop for the fender eliminator

dscott3509 · 08-10-2012, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Tromatic

My sister....

more importantly...is she single? Is she attractive? Melbs is looking.

Tromatic · 08-10-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by dscott3509

more importantly...is she single? Is she attractive? Melbs is looking.

No, very, sorry.

dscott3509 · 08-10-2012, 06:15 PM

Sorry she is not single?

Or sorry because she is not attractive?

One can be fixed.

Tromatic · 08-10-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by dscott3509

Sorry she is not single?

Or sorry because she is not attractive?

One can be fixed.

Is she single? No.

Is she attractive? Very.

Melbs is looking. Sorry.

cletus · 08-11-2012, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by KNanthrup

Thanks, but it's long gone now. He moved on to a streetfighter and now a multistrada.

Look familar? It was tastefully done... all we did was a tail chop for the fender eliminator

Hey there's my baby. The tail chop looks great.

SprintnFJ · 08-12-2012, 07:47 AM

I noticed the post above about the abs tech on the larger bikes....I was out looking at first bikes with the wife last weekend and saw that the CBR250 is now available with ABS. Adds about 500 to the price but I think it'd be worth it... Anyone can lock up the brakes but the likelihood is probably increased when one is a new rider.


08-10-2012, 02:56 PM	#1
Tromatic Railer Joined: Apr 2011 From: Portland I Ride: Yamaha Warrior	Ducati 796 for returning rider... My sister is thinking about getting back into riding, but it's been a few years. She does not currently have her license, so would take the Team Oregon class first. Since she is almost as beat-up as I am, I was thinking the 250 Ninja or CBR250 would be great, until I realized this would be a fine way to get a Ducati. I'm working on going halves on the cost. If that doesn't work, I might just go ahead and buy the thing myself and share. Having her on my insurance coverage was far less than I thought it would be. Assuming she fits it and likes it, would a 696/796 be too much bike? My bicycle seems heavier than either one of them. Watcha' think? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-10-2012, 03:07 PM	#2
cletus Shredder Joined: May 2009 From: sammamish, wa I Ride: 2006 Suzuki GSXR 600; 2007 Yamaha FZ1 (the Mrs.'s bike)	A Ducati 695 was my first ever bike. I loved it and put almost 30,000 miles on it taking trips, local rides, track days, and it served as my daily year round commuter. The big question is how much prior experience does she have? In my first year of riding I did manage to fall a couple of times. The bike held up surprisingly well, but replacing parts on a Ducati is never a cheap venture. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-10-2012, 03:39 PM	#6
millejim Endorsed Joined: Feb 2011 From: Portland, OR I Ride: Aprilia, Ducati	i like the style of the older monsters. we have a '07 695 in the stable. very nice. and Cletus i might be interested in the seat. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-10-2012, 03:44 PM	#7
Are_Six Joined: Mar 2006 From: Seattle I Ride: 1099cc L-Twin in a sporty arrangment	My friend got a Monster 796 as his first bike. I think they are great for that and you won't be disapointed with it in 3 years. Get the ABS model (despite usually decrying such technology on a starter bike it would've kept me and a couple friends off the pavement). A lot of starter bikes (say a Buell Blast, older 250R) are good starters, but 6 months later you're already coveting other machines. Not so with the Monster. Just did a 1300 mile trip with a couple friends, two Superbikes (1098, Mille-R) and the Monster 796. We both tricked the Monster owner into switching bikes for a while, because his bike was a much better sport tourer, and kept up just fine in the double digit range. Comfy, super light steering feel, good engine, good torque, has a nice sweet spot 4-7k rpms. Also the newer ones 695, 796, aren't all that bad in terms of maintenence. Parts are still relatively pricey, but it's a fricken motorcycle, they are all just expensive toys. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-10-2012, 06:15 PM	#11
dscott3509 Parts Collector Joined: Aug 2008 From: Milwaukie I Ride: Triumph Tiger 800	Sorry she is not single? Or sorry because she is not attractive? One can be fixed. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


08-12-2012, 07:47 AM	#14
SprintnFJ Licensed Joined: Apr 2012 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: Triumph	I noticed the post above about the abs tech on the larger bikes....I was out looking at first bikes with the wife last weekend and saw that the CBR250 is now available with ABS. Adds about 500 to the price but I think it'd be worth it... Anyone can lock up the brakes but the likelihood is probably increased when one is a new rider. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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