Hello everyone

**ardberg** · 23 Jul 08, 05:27 PM

Hi there,

I'd like to say hello to all members of this board. The reason why I've registered here is my dream to own a Ducati and actually ride one one day.

My love for Ducatis started 3 years ago when I saw one at our local Alfa Dealer. It was a Ducati 999. Loved the design and the sound of it. Well I was too afraid of riding a motorbike because my parents and mates told me that riding a motorcycle is basically suicide. Me being a responsible driver I couldn't really agree with that.

I've always been sticking to the rules and driven passiv agressively. Riding a motorbike must be completely different so I won't be hammering around town.

The problem is that likre many others of new members I don't even have a bike nor even have a driving licence for motorbikes (German driving licence BE). Anyway I'm really thinking of doing it, being crazy.

But there are a few points that are doing my head in.

1.) The weather
2.) The cost of the driving licence
3.) The cost of my latest dream bike, the Ducati 848
3.) The insurance and last but not least my girlfriend.

She wouldn't be happy to see me driving around on a motorbike so I'll be reading a lot and maybe ask some questions. Buying a bike is too early atm so maybe I shouldn't have registered here right now.

Anyway maybe I can meet some of you guys and have a chat about your bikes. Things like fuel consumption etc. would be very interesting.

Cheerio

**Steve GD** · 23 Jul 08, 06:06 PM

, Ardberg.
The 848 is a great bike, but as you will discover when you do your training, a bike with less power and a more upright riding position makes learning easier.
To answer a couple of your points....
1 There are enough days in the year when the weather is good enough to make riding fun. Anywhere in Europe.
2 Cost of the license. Over time this will become more expensive. Save money! Do it now.
3 Cost of an 848. Hmmm...may be better to get a Monster first?
4 People who learn to ride motorcycles improve their car-driving skills at the same time. So your girlfriend will be safer when she is in your car. You want her to be safe, don't you?

**Rob998** · 23 Jul 08, 06:07 PM

Welcome to the site! You're more than welcome to chat about bikes without actually owning one!

Don't listen to your mates, do your bike test and you will only be committing financial suicide!

Enjoy the site, and buy that 848 (or more sensibly a Monster), don't worry about the fuel consumption, and if your GF doesn't like it, get a new one! There's loads of women out there *looks nervously over shoulder to make sure Mrs Rob isn't reading this....*

**Fastandcorse** · 23 Jul 08, 06:26 PM

Hello ardberg, don't spend too much time talking about it, go and get one..

There's loads of help and support for you here and don't worry too much about poor weather. With modern tyres, the right gear and smooth riding you'll wonder what all the worry was about! Focus on beating unnatural hazards like poor road surfaces and spilt fuel etc.
Good luck and get the wallet out....

**Brian** · 23 Jul 08, 07:43 PM

Welcome to the site you will find all the help you need on here

**mrs 848** · 23 Jul 08, 07:51 PM

compared to a driving lessons i think doing bike lessons and test is alot cheaper and qwicker! petrol for the week on my bike is a 7th of what my husband spends on his car doing the same miles. i get to work before him and have more fun.
as for the price of the 848 sod it you only live once.
if your girlfriend moans tell her to shut it or get out!!!!!

**Sunny** · 23 Jul 08, 07:51 PM

Do it Ardberg, you will not regret it. I passed my test 2 weeks ago and bought a 749s as my first ever bike and have absolutely no regrets.
Goodluck and welcome to the site

**ducbird** · 23 Jul 08, 10:10 PM

dont worry about not owning a bike i was here for ages before
i got mine....and made to feel very welcome..
You can get plenty of advice and i have even been on meets in
my trusty car... ask Ghost

Riding is a totally different from driving i thought id be able to ride
like i drive...hmm lesson 1 no ways......
The weather well we get some nice sunny days but just as much
fun in the cooler weather just make sure your dressed for the occasion.

Total cost for getting your licence put by at least £700 its also changing
very soon and i had heard that its a two parter and you will be restricted
to 30 horse power for 2 years..

so no fast bikes when you pass..
I have an 600SS thats enough power for me for now though id love an 848
(in time )

Dont know how old you are but look in the region if you go for an 848
put by a few hundred if you go fully comp and being a first timer for insurance
there are cheaper Ducatis ask about here...

The girlfriend well she is just worried about your safety but involve her with it
and let her ask questions there are lots of girlies on here who ride perhaps a few
lessons for her wouldnt go amiss. We are not all idots and do ride sensibly.

I could go on and on

keep the questions coming one thing i will say is its
very good for your social life........

**JRC45** · 24 Jul 08, 08:26 AM

Just do it ! You'll never regret it, but if you don't do it you will always be thinking "I wish I had done that..." ! The test is set to get harder everywhere in Europe, so do it as soon as possible. I used to be a bike instructor, and the most valuable piece of advice I can give you is what I was told when I started riding : whenever you ride a bike treat EVERY other road user as if they are trying to kill you... that way when one of them is, you'll be ready for it ! After 28 years of riding, that thought has kept me safe...
As an aside : a mate of mine was in his garage ( re-building a Suzuki GT380, again ) when his girlfriend stormed in and said "you think more of that bike than you do of me ! It has to go, or I will !" He didn't even turn round, just said "Bye then", and never saw her again !

**ardberg** · 24 Jul 08, 08:46 AM

Hey thanks for the warm welcome and the useful posts. I was thinking that i missed some important details.

Well I'm 27 and been driving a car for nearly 9 years. I'm not one of those idiots on the streets and try to avoid any kind of trouble on the road. Doing the test could be a prob cos I;m a bit short of money.

Another fact i forgot to mention was that I'm living in Greenock (yeah not the best place on earth) in sunny bonny Scotland. That's the reason why I was asking if I'd be recommendable to ride a bike here. Getting your wet clothes off can be kind of a mess sometime.

Maybe a 'starter bike; would be better but I think that a good driver as in a person who knows his limits and knows what's what is able to even ride a Desmo RR i.e. It's knowing your limits and ride responsibly.

So regarding the restricted stuff there won't be any reason to buy a Duc for a start cos 30 horses don't go along with a Ducati. Thought I could do the moto A licence or so?

**ducbird** · 24 Jul 08, 08:56 AM

cant you get a Ducati restricted

im sure someone will come along and be able to tell you.

Dont give up yet...

Riding is totally different from driving however good you are..
I have been driving for 20years

and i think i drive extremely well...

and know my limits....
but riding is very different i didnt think it would be.
cornering following lines etc riding for everyone else on the road
reading what they will do next its very tiring but so much fun...

and there is such things as waterproofs.....

now stop talking yourself out of it

**Steve GD** · 24 Jul 08, 09:42 AM

Ardberg, I'm not Scottish, so I have no reason to be biased, but if you live in Greenock you are about 15 minutes away from some of the best motorcycling roads in the world.

Ducbird is right...for someone who comes to bike riding from car driving, the road awareness skills are very useful, and will allow you to avoid many dangers. But there are different skills you need on a bike and some of them are opposite to what you already know. These you need to learn to avoid the rest of the dangers!

Your basic point is correct, though...it is possible to ride a Desmosedici RR as gently and quietly as any 125.

**fireduke** · 24 Jul 08, 11:10 AM

Welcome adberg

You have already had some great advice from some very experinced members of this site.Biking is what you make it, ride what you want, how you want wearing what you want, going where you want,with who you want its just money and time.

As for the weather,My attitude is, it rains in this country, more than some places ,not as much as others, its somthing I cant do anything about but it wont stop me riding.

Remember it can be pouring down before breakfast and bright sunshine for the rest of the day. I was riding the other day in the rain on a motor way and I found my self grinning from ear to ear I dont know why but thats what riding a bike and in particualry a Ducati does to you, I am sure the others would agree, well perhaps not about the rain.

A wise old sage once said "Its better to live as the tiger for a day,than a sheep for a life time.

Now go forth young Jedi get your self trained buy the machine of your dreams( well the one you can afford) and join the ranks of the enlightend.

best regards

Fireduke

Ps Abby National are doing 0% for a year on their new Card.

**ardberg** · 25 Jul 08, 06:53 PM

Hey,

I'm going to Ducati Glasgow next week and have a look at a Monster. Does anyone can recommend a good driving school in Glasgow?

Advice and recommendations would be cool.