I’d go Aprilia V4 over it.

2k for gear if you can find a close out on a suit. Typically a good suit is $1000-1200. Boots, close to $500. Helmet, $500. Another $300 for gloves. So $2500 instead of 2k. And buy NONE of it from the MC dealer. I wouldn’t spend a nickel in there outside of buying the bike.

What kind of riding you will be doing determines the motorcycle. Don’t buy one based on looks, image or “wow” factor. Buy the type of bike for the riding you’ll actually be doing with it.

I have some hook ups for gear I can direct you to. I just bagged a close out A* 1 piece Tech Air ready suit for $669 + tax. Have to bag the close out stuff to get a deal. Or buy overseas and have it shipped to the US.

Buy a sport bike. Buy one that fits you. Don’t buy small bike as you won’t last a nice afternoon ride without pain, and possibly a lay down at a stop light when your feet are stuck on the pegs.

Buy a reentry bike first then the Ducati

I purchased a 2016 Ducati Diavel 3 summers ago. It is the most fun and enjoyment I have ever had on a motorcycle. The raw power combined with the agility is absolutely exhilarating.

The nice thing about the Diavel is that given the riding position, I can comfortably ride it for a fairly long period of time.

My advice is to take a Diavel for a test ride before you make a purchase.....take both for a long test ride if you can.

I found that with the Diavel I can have blistering performance, sexy lines, and comfort
all at the same time.

Regardless, you are going to turn a lot of heads, and much more importantly, have a LOT of fun no matter which Duc you decide to go with.

Take a safety course first. It saved the life of a friend as he knew what to do when a car pulled out in front of him.
In a year or two partake in the Isle of Man TT.

I love my Ducati. Service is expensive. But I took that into account on purchase.

Ducati in Bed by Kevin Antol, on Flickr
I had to go to Greensboro to pick it up because my impatience didnt want me to wait 3 more days.

Ducati in Garage by Kevin Antol, on Flickr
Looking good in my garage.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: armedprof,

That thing is hot!!!

That's one smokin' hot Italian!!!!

Not only does she look good, she sounds amazing! And damn is it fast.

VERY Nice...Keep it out of the woods!

I just pray I can keep it on both wheels....

That will be VERY challenging!

Maybe a MSF Refresher course will help you in that endeavor...

ETA - You gonna need to tuck the plate and the turn signals up under the tail section. Oh, and it DEFINITELY needs a dry clutch too!

You took me waaaaaay back in time-all the way to the fall of '64. 16 years old, had a buddy that had a Ducati, IIRC it was a 1960 model, a "scrambler," and he let me ride it all the time. And I did-thought I looked pretty cool, white Levis, a Madras shirt and Weejuns flying down the road.

The bike didn't look anything like the beauties in this thread and it was really no fun to start-had to kick and kick. But once it started, it was quick-for a 250.

Very quick indeed till I sorta wrapped it around a light pole on one of the curves towards the south end of Fort Myers Beach on Estero Blvd near the Fire Station.

It survived and didn't seem to be as hurt as I felt. But, I, too, survived and three months later I was in the Army. End of story!

Bob

quote:

You took me waaaaaay back in time-all the way to the fall of '64. 16 years old, had a buddy that had a Ducati, IIRC it was a 1960 model, a "scrambler," and he let me ride it all the time. And I did-thought I looked pretty cool, white Levis, a Madras shirt and Weejuns flying down the road.

Damn, that took me back. Same year, same age, same white Levis, same Madras shirt. Except my ride was a Honda 305 Scrambler. Good times!!!

Congrats. Hope you got a great deal on insurance too!

Happy for you moving on it. Your Ducks are in a row (pun intended) , live the dream. Life is short and you only get one.

Gorgeous bike. Ducati is sex on two wheels. Congrats and most of all ENJOY.

Insurance, ha! I called about insurance for the ZX-9R after I bought it in 1998. They said $5,000 a year. The bike cost $10,000. Luckily, Wisconsin didn’t require motorcyclists to carry insurance as long as they wore a helmet. Still have the bike and never needed the insurance. The interesting part of the story is I asked my agent what the insurance on a Ducati 916 would be and he said $565 a year. That’s when I realized I should have bought a Ducati.

Enjoy yours!

I went to look at Ducatis today, as they're sold at the same local dealer as BMWs (Scottsdale GoAZ). I was on my BMW S1000R and am casually looking at an R1250GS. As I was saddling up to leave, a guy took the Panigale V2 for a test ride and I hadn't put my earplugs in yet. It sounded glorious. I so don't need to switch bikes to get onto another crotch rocket, but it has me thinking.

That is one amazing machine!! Congratulations !