Ducati Monster 800 - Suitable for a First Bike?

[sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Paivi

Oh, cool, local to me, then! I see a girly Monster ride out ahead!

Yes I am Langley Berkshire very close to J5 on the M4.

Thanks for the reassuring comments. I will take it easy at first. I was not sure whether to listen to my head or heart and decided that going with my head was more fun!

Paivi a ride out would be great as long as I do not hold you up!

[Paivi]

Originally Posted by sweetpea

Yes I am Langley Berkshire very close to J5 on the M4.

Paivi a ride out would be great as long as I do not hold you up!

You're too funny! I'm the slowest Ducatista in the world! I prefer a bimble to a blat any day. I'll PM you my mobile so when you feel like going out for a bimble, give me a call!

[Kenoir]

So how goes it Sweetpea?

Are you starting to feel more comfortable yet (yes I know it's only been a few days).

I know exactly where you were coming from. I bought a 1098s before I passed my test, I had some fantastic support from almost everyone on this forum and they were all right. So here I am 4 months and 4 thousand miles later and it just gets better and better. The trick is to ride within your limits. Bikes go slow as well as fast although I guess your point was about the physical size of the bike more than the power.

I decided right from the off that I had a lot of miles to catch up, so, I ride it whenever it's not raining. I'm so comfy with it now, if anything I become a bit too casual and then my lack of experience bites me on the bum and gives me a reality check. This is good, it keeps me safe. Stick with it and it'll get so much better and good luck.

[villageidiot]

I bought a 620 after I passed my test and it was a great first bike however I did feel it lacked a bit of poke and quite quickly began to loose respect for it and started "over riding it" which can lead to some dodgy moments. I started looking for a S2R 800 second hand but ended up with a S2R 1000 just because it was a great deal and they took my 620 Part Ex, that was the best move I ever made, I still have total respect for the power and ride far more carefully because of it. it feels great on the road, suspension far better and I feel more relaxed riding it. I should have just gone for the S2R 1000 straight away.

[sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Kenoir

So how goes it Sweetpea?

Are you starting to feel more comfortable yet (yes I know it's only been a few days).

Collected the bike yesterday and it was still to tall for me even they they had reduced the seat by 30mm. In the end I had 4 mechanics standing around the bike discussing the best thing to do. So they lowered the suspension and forks - which apparently means it is now race ready(?) and I was off. I left my car there and drove home straight away before I lost my nerve. I chose a route away from town centres as it was 6pm and rush hour so ended up doing 61 miles mostly on motorways!

It was wonderful!

[Paivi]

You swapped your car for a bike?

It will feel too tall now, but give it a few hundred miles and you'll get used to it, and quite possibly want to take it back up a bit.

Have a look here for advice for the vertically challenged. Within reason, no bike is too tall. As long as you can get the toes of one foot down, you should be OK. I'll never be able to flat foot a bike (apart from the hideous cruisers everybody keeps telling us shorties to buy, the 695 is quite possibly the lowest and best balanced bike there is), but it's not often I need to do that. I don't feel embarrassed at all if I have to get off my bike to turn it around, or even ask for help in parking. Would be more embarrassing, and expensive, to drop it.

[sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Paivi

You swapped your car for a bike?

I wish but as it is a company car they might get a bit upset with me!

Thanks for the link it was very useful. I will find a quiet spot to practise my slow control and stopping. ATM I am loving motorways as I do not have to stop!

You are right it is all about confidence and a lack of it stops you doing things you are more than able to do. I have ordered crash bungs and will fit these at the weekend.

I have decided I need to introduce a moternity leave policy at work - like maternity leave but you get 6 months of work to "bond" with your new motorbike - well I did get the bike instead of having children!

[Multimental]

Originally Posted by sweetpea

I wish but as it is a company car they might get a bit upset with me!

Thanks for the link it was very useful. I will find a quiet spot to practise my slow control and stopping. ATM I am loving motorways as I do not have to stop!

You are right it is all about confidence and a lack of it stops you doing things you are more than able to do. I have ordered crash bungs and will fit these at the weekend.

I have decided I need to introduce a moternity leave policy at work - like maternity leave but you get 6 months of work to "bond" with your new motorbike - well I did get the bike instead of having children!

That's an outstanding idea sweetpea. Maybe they could also introduce tax credits to pay for fuel and maintainence.

[dunner]

Hi there Sweetpea, bought a brand new S2R 800 on May 5th this year, great bike all round, handling, sound, comfort, style and the V-Twin torque. You will not be dissapointed. Enjoy.

[sweetpea]

Originally Posted by dunner

Hi there Sweetpea, bought a brand new S2R 800 on May 5th this year, great bike all round, handling, sound, comfort, style and the V-Twin torque. You will not be dissapointed. Enjoy.

Have just fitted crash bungs and if the rain clounds pass I will take her for a ride today. I am happy on the move incl motorway but just a big worried about stopping! So I am doing lots of slow control so I do not have to stop but I can not keep doing this so I am going to find a quiet spot and just spend my time starting and stopping.

I think I will be more confident just knowing the crash bungs are there.

Need to get more miles under my belt then I can join Paivi for a ride out!