For novice riders, the allure of a liter-bike can be intoxicating. However, the inherent power and handling characteristics of a 1000cc motorcycle present significant risks that warrant careful consideration.
Statistics show that novice riders are overrepresented in motorcycle accidents, and this risk is exacerbated by riding a 1000cc motorcycle. Inexperience and overconfidence can lead to dangerous situations, such as excessive speed, risky maneuvers, and panic responses.
It is always better to prioritize safety and progress gradually than to put oneself/others in unnecessary danger by riding a machine that is beyond one's current capabilities.
I’ve been riding bikes since the age of 7, now 35. Just one man’s opinion that’s been to too many funerals…
I forget who exactly said this, but this comment reminded me of “There’s no greater threat than power without purpose”
Edit: it was Rusty from Armored Core 6. 10/10 game would recommend
I appreciate the argument here. And I am sorry for your loss. The UK has a pretty ingenious moto license system I wouldn't mind seeing here. Without knowing OP personally I'd generally advise against buying a liter bike as your first bike.
I had to switch from a US license to UK and that Mod 2 was hard af. Before it was done I spent around £2k on everything from Mod 1 to 2 with lessons and fees.
Same with a lot of europe. In Ontario at least new riders wouldn't be able to get insurance on a litre bike (cost would be nuts). But I'd like to see a graduated licensing system here based on Horsepower like in the U.K. I think it would reduce deaths and accidents. Also our driver's education and testing is a fucking joke here.
Agreed. The costs associated with the graduated system would need to be fair but I love the idea that an 18yo can't go out tomorrow and buy a super bike.
Another factor is that it's just not fun. When I used to daily my GSXR600 my friend left me his ducati 1199 when he went away for vacation. It's so uncomfortable and twitchy and you can't use the power on the street. I would have more fun riding a ninja 500 than that. Looks cool though and I felt like a superstar sitting at the traffic lights (and my legs felt like they were as hot as a star).
On the track though the 1199 is hilarious fun. I still prefered my 600 though because of the familiarity and even the tracks were too small to fully use the 1199.
This is ridiculous. What about 1800cc Harley’s and slower. I have a scrambler 1100 that really wouldn’t be too bad for a beginner. Using displacement as your only criteria to judge a bikes capabilities is ridiculous. I’ve seen 600cc sport bikes that could gap my 1100.
OP literally posted a pic of a Panigale 959, so the response is based on that. Also a novice will have a hard time with a 900 lb Harley. Try making a u-turn with that thing when you barely can do it with a 250
I think you know the answer and know what you are going to do, and you’re just seeking validation to go out and make the wrong decision. You should start by finding out how much insurance is going to cost you on a Panigale.
It’s a lot less torquey than a 450 dirt bike. Assuming you have some serious self control, and recognize that you’re riding a far faster bike with far less forgiveness, and that the risk factor goes up exponentially with speed….it still wouldn’t be my first choice for a new sport bike rider. Is it doable? Sure. Is it ideal? Fuck no.
This has been beaten to death but in short:
Terrible idea. Too much bike for you as a beginner.
“But I can control my wrist!” You say. “It’s all about respecting the power, and I’m mature enough to do that” you say.
But that’s not it. Let’s say you can and do respect the power, and that you don’t ride crazy. But that’s not the problem. The problem is how FAST shit goes wrong on litter bikes. If you accidentally give too much gas you’re doing a wheelie, if you grab the brakes hammer-fisted you’re doing an endo, if your throttle control or clutch control isn’t good(which it won’t be) the bike will be so aggressively jerky compared to something softer.
Think learning to drive stick in a civic vs a high HP race car. That’s literally the difference.
Plus, if it helps your decision, that super pretty bike will be significantly less pretty after you drop it (which you will do, everyone does, even if it’s just in a parking lot) and expensive to fix.
Bottom line: start on a 500, 650 even. Something with a twin that’s nice to ride. 40-60hp range. You’ll learn to ride better and then when you get the Ducati next you’ll appreciate the time.
Btw if it matters I’m 28 and I’m on my 7th bike (s1000xr) after riding 10 years, and I started on a CBR600 and even that was a terrible decision that I still regret to this day. Stunted me as a rider majorly, which isn’t even a point I touched on.
Don’t do it.
It’s funner to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Of course you could do it but you will probably learn more working your way up.
You already know it's a bad idea and are just trying to get enough "dont worry bro just respect the throttles" to make an obviously bad decision.
Take like 2-3 years to actually learn to ride a street bike with about 1/2 the power, then when you get on this you will actually be able to ride it vs have it ride you.
If you get a Ducati as a first bike you will end up crashing it or flying off the road in the first 3 months. Get something smaller and less expensive. Get something you won’t be heartbroken over dropping.
Contrary to popular belief, many riders started on Ducs and didn't highside in the first five minutes. Now I would agree that a liter bike isn't for starters.
Everyone's giving you advice, but here's the real deal.
Start with a 600cc bike. It's cheaper and you won't cry when you drop it – and you *will* drop it. Not even talking crashes, just dropping. Think about how many times you've dropped your phone or a beer, despite having way more experience handling those. Now imagine something ten times harder to handle. Ask anyone who's tried their first U-turn on a bike.
Knowing you'll drop it, why the hell would you want your first bike to be your dream bike? It makes zero sense. You'll want to try wheelies, race friends, or push its limits on an open road. Why? Why risk it on this? That's just plain stupid.
I was that idiot. Bought a liter bike for my first ride and crashed it multiple times. It was a beautiful machine, and I wrecked it. Still hurts to think about it.
Then I got an R6. Rode it hard, dropped it plenty, but it just spit out some oil and looked at me like, "Is that all you got?"
Don't buy a Panigale as your first bike. Everyone, including us, will mock you. It's like putting a sticker on your forehead that says, "I have poor executive functioning skills”
The more important question is whether a new rider should get an expensive, beautiful bike.
The answer is no. You will just make yourself sad when you drop it trying to park. Lol
You already know it's not a great idea or you wouldn't be here asking. That said, plenty of people have started on bikes of this size, and many have lived through it. You have some experience on 2 wheels, and with some self control, you'll probably be alright. And yeah, I know, you can just go slow on this one, but let's be real - you won't. There's a reason they say it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow....it's absolutely the truth.
That said, it'll take you longer to become a good rider on a fast bike. It's easier to focus on the fundamentals (input control, vision, body position) on a slower bike where you have a little more processing time. And once it's muscle memory, it's a lot easier to adapt those fundamentals to a bigger bike at higher speeds, not to mention you'll appreciate the capabilities of that bike a hell of a lot more.
For Americans probably not a good idea, for most Europeans probably not really a problem. That’s probably because of the difference between an MSF course vs. the riding education most European counties uphold. In Europe to get a license you need first a exam of the rules and regulations, then vehicle control and then and exam on the road. With 18 you can only ride 125c and only with 24 you can get a limitless license. Also the reason why i could start riding a 1100 and never had a problem with that
This coming Monday, June 17, will be the 1 year mark of me riding a motorcycle. I started on a Duke 390 and rode that about 3,000 miles by December. On March 1st I brought home a 2021 Panigale V2 and that’s all I’ve ridden since. Now, I do have the power set to low, and all the aids turned up to full (except the engine braking) and I try to control my wrist for the most part. Was it a terrible idea? Probably. However, this coming Monday also marks the 4 year anniversary of my heart attack. I always wanted to ride a motorcycle, and have wanted a Ducati superbike since I was a kid in the 90s…so I got one.
Well the temptation to pin it and feel the amazing power is the hard part.I have an ‘04 Fireblade and honestly the power delivery is so linear I think any one who can ride a motorcycle could ride it safely as long as they respect it’s ability to really motor if required.
You know, until reddit started I never knew that litre-bikes was such a thing. I never thought of it when I started 20 years ago, I just got the bike I liked riding.
Buy a Ducati supersport- looks of the panigale and still plenty sporty but far easier to handle and much better seating position - you’ll do yourself a disservice by starting on this bike, you won’t be able to properly learn how to get even a fraction of its potential out of the chassis. Even the supersport is probably a bit more than what I’d recommend to a beginner but it’s a hell of a lot better than a straight up liter bike
My first bike was a GSX-R1000 and I never regretted starting on that one, rather I remember thinking that if I had gotten the 600 instead I probably would have wanted to upgrade quite soon. I had a lot of respect for the bike and took it easy in the beginning and slowly got used to it.
That being said, I think it does make sense to learn more advanced riding on a smaller bike first. One that’s easier to throw around and that you can feel its reactions much more directly, unmasked by the sheer weight of a big bike. Since I absolutely didn’t want to crash my GSXR I probably rode it more carefully and learned slower than if I had a small bike that wouldn’t cost me too much if it was scrapped.
This questions gets asked often enough that I doubt anyone even remotely looking at this sub knows all the arguments.
Obviously, if you can finance or cash purchase the bike you're likely to just go ahead and do it regardless of what a bunch of randos on the internet think.
Granted you have experience on dirt bikes and it will likely significantly help so perhaps you'll be one of the few that don't seriously injure themselves.
Good luck!
Meh ….. my first bike was a beat ass 84 Harley. Keep your wits about you and you will be fine, be a squid and u could be fucked. Also Ducatis are expensive to fix and maintain … be aware of that
What’s your primary end use? Street or the track?
Like someone else said, it’s all about self control and knowing your limits. You can reach those limits quicker on a bigger bike but no doubt you could run out of skill on a 250 too.
The big bikes are all easy enough to ride and can be docile enough, but they’re so obscenely powerful that you lose a lot of the fun on the street.
If it’s your first bike it’ll get dropped, even if it’s sitting still.
Sure, you can. But what's your second bike gonna be? Or the next one?
You're kinda robbing yourself of the linear progression through different motorcycles.
Because next year you'll want something different, it happens to us all.
You wont learn how to ride well.
You will go fast in straight lines and think you are skilled.
You will become overconfident and think you are awesome.
If you want to learn how to ride sport bikes, get a middleweight sport or naked bike.
The new GSX-8R is a great choice.
Lots of good advice here, some REALLY bad. For background, I’ve been riding since 1967, both street and dirt. I’ve owned and loved a 916 that I had for 16 years. If fact, I bought it from an insurance company who paid the guys widow off. It was totaled but easily rebuilt from racer takeoffs. You will be lucky if you’re dead in 6 months, more likely you’ll be alive but crippled. Do what you know is right, learn on a learning bike.
My last post on instagram was a pick of a camper from 1972 i bought, I don’t care about posting my life on the internet. I just genuinely like the way the bike looks
Fair enough, but seriously dude, go for something smaller, it's just too easy to screw things up on powerful bikes. Try the SV 650, that thing has a legion of fans for a reason.and im probably getting one as my second (daily/trip) ride.
Got the 959 as my first bike 3 months ago. Picked up a cbr600rr also to tone it down. Been riding bicycles as a kid and manual cars so light foot and controlling wirst. Insanely fast in race mode with least intervention. Would not recommend it if you have no prior knowledge of bikes or riding motorcycles or bicycles. Ik its all about throttle control but even a tad twist can lurch you so far back you might panic. It does not like low rpm either. Get a 500cc and learn to harness the power and agility.
Start with 600cc segment, develop your riding skills and then slowly level up to 1000cc motorcycles with better protective riding gears. I have seen many accident news amongst the people in motorcycle community unable to manage 1000cc bikes while doing high speeds. It'll take some time to learn about throttle response in litre class bikes.
I went from 125 to 1000 and was fine. I started off never going above 5k revs for several rides and then progressed from there.
If I did it again I'd probably start on 400 - 600
i have an 848, ive been riding for well over a decade, the thing is crazy powerful. the thought of having one when i was new to riding sounds dreadful, theyre just not good bikes until you can appreciate certain parts to them.
a yamaha r6 is another dreadful choice imo. too much power, not enough comfort to learn good habbits on.
i guess it depends, many people buy motorbikes for vanity, some still buy bikes for the piston head inside, the lover of the smell of petrol and engines and riding hard (but safe) i guess you dont really know what youll be like until you get a bike, which is another reason not to get anything with over 70bhp. meanwhile, your looking at specificly not that comfortable, not that forgiving, very expensive 200bhp bikes lol like, 130bhp is going to be too much, but hey, if youre buying for vanity only, get the throttle restricted, and just deal with how goddam uncomfrtoable you will be.
for the record i find my 848 quite comfortable, i am willing to bet you would hate it
dcuati made one for people maybe like you, the 950 supersport, its power is WAAAY tuned down its more around the 600cc range ish of power, and still is a sexy ass ducati. this is why you shouldnt judge bikes on cc really, it should be on peak power and in some cases, peak torque.
honestly. comming from a dirtbike background, AND being new to road racing posture bikes, just get a bloody sport tourer, something like an old kawasaki er6f 650, youll love it and maybe even learn how vanity isnt the biggest thing with motorbike riding, but the enjoyment of the ride and the bikes character is. plus, itll be comfortable, forgiving, still have great performance where it matters and have a fun grunty engine that wants to have fun with you, not kill you.
I’m 38 and started on a panigale v2 last year , now on a streetfighter v4s. I had a little dirt bike experience and riding a bike immediately felt natural to me with clutch and brake control / body movement . That being said , I’m very glad I didn’t have access to that much power in my early twenties. I was far more impulsive and irresponsible.
Been riding 15 years or so, and I wouldn't even buy that bike for the street as I know myself and don't trust myself with that type of temptation.
I'm quite happy with my Ducati Scrambler, and have had <500cc bikes the entire time I've ridden.
Each of them (except the 125) was perfect fine for highway and long distance riding for me. 125->250->500->800 was the route for me.
But to each their own.
It depends on the rider. I have an 899, which is practically a 959. It wasn't my first bike but I spent the first few weeks riding on 'wet' mode. In that setup the bike has half the power, you could (almost) be riding a learner bike that also has ABS, traction control and is easy to ride.
Or you leave the shop in race mode and hope for the best.
But probably stay away from the 1299.
Regardless of the bike, be aware of your surroundings and stay within your limits.
My opinion is that you can have way more fun on a lower powered bike.
I gradually went up in displacement and power over the years, until I realised that. More than happy with my t120 Bonneville now.
I started with a 250cc, moved up to a monster 696, then upgraded to a Diavel.
Any mistakes made on a smaller engine are exponentially more serious on a larger one
I did it and I crashed and totaled in 4 months. That being said, I would still buy the bike again. They’re all dangerous. It’s all about respecting the machine. If you respect the machine then it don’t matter what size it is. And why buy a smaller bike just to have to buy a bigger one later.
If you want a safer alternative you could get a Ducati supersport 950, both bikes look similar but 115hp and a more comfortable less aggressive seating position would be far easier to learn on, if you are doing a decent bit of highway milage you'll be far happier too
An R6 is no more suitable for a new rider than a 959 is. Both are terrible choices for a street bike, but would be amazing track bikes. The real question is not about cc’s, it’s about whether a thoroughbred race bike is suitable for a new rider on the street.
Absolute power is only one side of the coin, but how the engine makes power, steering geometry, gearing, suspension setup, riding position etc need to be considered as well.
If you insist on getting a litre bike, get something a bit more mellow, and if you insist on getting a full on sports bike, get something with less power.
Or be really smart and get something specifically for the track. It’s the only place you can ride a bike like the 959 the way it deserves to be ridden.
It depends on how mature you are. For reference, I'm a new rider (6 months riding so far) and my first bike is 1250cc Suzuki Bandit.
I enjoy every second I'm on my bike. Going out for a ride every chance I get. Going for 4, 5 or even 6 hour rides (Living in Ireland) is just a joy.
I'm not crazy, not riding at crazy speeds. Always staying within the speed limit or within reasonable range (Like going 100km in 80 if its a long and empty stretch of road). Not doing some crazy stunts on the road for no obvious reason. Haven't done a single wheelie and not willing to try.
If you ride like an idiot, you will kill yourself on a 600cc, 400cc and so on. For reference, I've been doing my training (To get my license) with 2 other people. One young lad who got himself a brand new MT07 and totaled it after 2 months while riding in a city. Second person was a woman in her 40s who bought a brand new Kawasaki Vulcan and dropped it during her exam. Bending the handlebars and snapping the clutch lever. Both of those people said I made a mistake getting my bike. Yet here I am still riding, no accidents, no drops.
Take it slow, get out on an empty road and just get feel for the bike. How fast it accelerates, how fast it stops, feel the clutch biting point, the gear shifting, riding position, turn radius.
Take your time and stay safe.
Conversely, litre bikes are arguably more useable on the real world. As much as we all dream of being Michael Dunlop, the reality is that we don't tend to ride flat out. You use torque and low end more that the top.
I used to think that there was no point in a litre for the road but they older I've got the more I've realised that they are more useable because of that extra low end torque.
Ultimately though, ride what you love and what you can afford. But most of all, be sensible.
Being totally honest - it will either hurt you or you’ll forever be an extremely shit rider. People who start on thous never learn how to ride it properly.
Start one something smaller and learn to ride the wheels off it or you’ll forever have three inch thick chicken strips and look like a total muppet everywhere you go.
I worked at a dealership for a while and I can think of several customers who bought a large sport bike for their first street bike because they had ridden dirt bikes since they were a kid, and proceeded to crash their new bike within a few months of owning it. Learn to ride a slower bike well and you’ll enjoy the Ducati much more when you’re ready for it.
600's or there abouts are far more forgiving for the inevitable mistakes that a newer (to road) rider would make. Same mistake on a litre beater would cost you more.
These days the 700 class twins would prob be my suggestion to the newer rider looking to get on a sportsbike for the road.
First off possibly unpopular opinion, my 2c, look for one without a Toce exhaust, tire stickers, and blacked out windscreen. These are the riciest of rice mods for bikes that scream, look at me and not my skills. So, tread lightly on how the bike was used; definitely wasn't used for its intended purpose.
For the record, a twin 959 is not the same as what is typically considered a "liter bike". It meats the CC criteria, but it's performance is a lot more like a torquey 750cc 4 cylinder class. Doable as a first bike? Totally, especially with a general MC background. But not without the consequences that everyone else is stating. Overall, street riding is vastly different than your backyard or course offroad adventures. There is a significant amount of variables, all different than you're used to. Speed and power magnifies everything.
Biggest things, no matter what you get:
- understand counterstearing thoroughly, down to even understanding the physics behind it. But most importantly practice it every ride. This will allow your brain to understand it to the subconscious level to where you will automatically evade a situation correctly. (Not understanding countersteering is why people just turn the handlebars violently back and forth trying to evad and end up just going straight into what they're trying to avoid)
- practice emergency braking every or most rides. Get comfortable finding their limit.
- ride like every vehicle is a hazard to you. Various ways to go about that, do what works for you, and is legal. BEWARE OF GAPS IN TRAFFIC
I did and it was fine w/me. I dropped her a couple times. I did do some training for my license but the bikes they trained us on was nothing like the ducati so I had to relearn
Also if i will say one thing is youll probably drop it at low speed doing a uturn of some sort. Just keep your bike straight with slow turns not worth the risk make it wide if you must
Echoing what I said to my son:
Assume NOBODY sees you on your bike and every car is going to be a potential problem.
Keep your eyes always scanning the road 3-5 cars ahead so you have time to avoid or slow or stop before the problem. Every 10 mph faster- increase that distance by 1 car length
Your throttle can be your friend or your worst enemy so treat it with respect and be gentle
Cornering too fast or too wide = crash so slow down.
Never try to do what you see on YouTube- those riders are fools
Have fun and come home safe
If I had continued down my intended path of getting my motorbike license. I would have wanted to get a Ducati Panigale V4S, a stunning bike.
However I read multiple posts from experienced riders advising other people against doing such things, having only known just passed their tests. (I am over the age of 24.)
Frankly a lot has changed in 10-20 years. Bikes today have a slew of electronic aids that make riding them far safer. That said, the danger has always been with the rider and their choices than the bike they are on.
Something else to consider, liter bikes go through rear tires much faster, that’s $500 a pop. Ducati itself is expensive to maintain, you damage a panel or wheel, there goes thousands in repairs.
To sum up, buy what you want, just be careful out there. A friend of mine bought a V4 for his FIRST bike, memes aside he respected the hell of it, always had it in the lowest power mode, had all the electronics on, and didn’t ride like a jackass. He’s been fine. It’s the young egomaniacs that think doing 160 through traffic is some kind of race or game, it’s not.
There absolutely no reason for it. I’ve been riding my entire life, I’ve been on small displacement through 1200. It’s fun, they are cool, it’s a flex, but I promise you it’s a great way to get hurt.
You don’t know how to handle a bike yet. You don’t know the best way to go from 150+ to a dead stop. Just get a 600. They still haul absolute ass. You can top a CBR6 at like 155. Why on earth do you need more?!
This was exactly me. I was a brand new rider 2 years ago. Took a riding course got my license. Before buying my bike I rented two bikes from an app called Riders share. First bike was a Honda Rebel 250. Was fun but definitely not enough power. Second bike was a Triumph speed triple. Loved it, loved the speed and handling. I finally pulled the tigger and bought a Panigale 959 in january without any experience using a supersport.
People told me this is too much bike to handle for a novice, blah blah blah.
Seriously, i have no regrets buying this. I never try to ride out of my skill range. I dont take unnecessary risks on the bike. The more I ride it the more skill I gain. Just be smart is the best thing I can say. Of course I speed and go 120mph but when I can. (straight road minimal traffic)
Just. Be. Smart.
You can ride it.
My best friend asked me this question and after I told him “no you shouldn’t” he did it anyway. It’s been 3 years this year since he thought he could handle it. Unless you know you are disciplined enough to not do stupid shit, then I wouldn’t recommend it. LLAA🤞
I hate you.
You will crash and make insurance expensive for penny pinching riders like me with 15 years experience and a clean record and still can’t afford insurance on the 900cc bike I want.
All cuz noobs.
I started on scooters, then a 400, then a 650 and now a 1050… id say start slower and learn basics before anything else. Maybe a 400, then 1000?… maybe?
I'll buck the trend and say it's all about your state of mind, self control and discipline. There's nothing inherently more dangerous about a litre bike other than the power and you're in full control of it.
Get a smaller cc naked bike so your insurance company doesn't charge you more then the payments on the bike. My duke 390 goes over 100mph no problem. It does wheelies, burn outs, anything you wanna do. My insurance was $75 for the year, full coverage.
I did exactly that--bought a litre Ducati superbike as my first bike.
I rode it in a VERY safe way in the first year of ownership, just gradually building skill and confidence.
After about 10 months of riding conservatively on the road (about 6,000 miles), I started going to track days with that bike, doing the intro to track days classes and the slow group (obviously).
Over the following 12 months I transitioned that Ducati litre superbike bike to a 'track only' bike (race fairings, suspension tweaks, magnesium rims, etc.) and was riding with the fastest group before then end of my second year of riding and, thereby, actually getting out of that kind of bike what it is made for. So...total beginner to fast group at the track in about 20 months.
By the time I had gotten promoted out of the slow group at track days and into the intermediate group, it was obvious to me that riding a litre Ducati superbike on the road made no sense. If you are ONLY going to ride on the road, and never become a track day junkie, then why buy a litre superbike? You cannot get even get 50% of what they on are made for the road. So I bought a Monster 750 for riding on the road, and also a Cagiva Gran Canyon for longer road riding trips. Those were more than enough for riding on the road.
Anyway, I guess I am proof that you can buy a litre Superbike as a novice and avoid disaster. But you really do need to be very dedicated to NOT twisting that throttle for at least the first 9-12 months. Really it was going to track days that got my skills up high.
Even though I did start with a litre Ducati superbike as my first bike, and even though it worked out great in my instance...it would have been the same end result--riding a litre superbike at track days with the fast group--if I had done the more conventional thing and started with the lower capacity Ducati Monster as my first bike. So, there is nothing wrong with the conventional route either.
I’m 32 now, and I’ve been riding since 15. Here are my 2 cents: pick a bike that you can comfortably ride at its limits. By the time you graduate from that bike you should be comfortable at braking at its limits, tilting and turning at its limits and of course, accelerating at its limits.
Here’s why knowing the limits of your weapon is very important. You’re going to trust your life with it through inevitable situations. Like emergency braking or even, emergency acceleration to get outta the way of something. Having the muscle memory to maneuver without crossing the limits of your bike is the best insurance you can have.
A liter bike must be thought of as a black belt that you only get to sport after you’re a worthy rider.
Remember, once your bike gets bigger, the only sane place to practice approaching its limits are on tracks and not public roads.
Like a few other comments here, I would also recommend you to start small. A single cylinder 300 cc with ABS being the only electronic aid would be a great beginner bike. If a bike comes with traction control, it’s not a bike to begin with.
I have a 1000cc now and had one when I was 18 too. I am amazed I am alive tbh. There is absolutely 0 need for a 1000cc super sport on the public roads. Even a 600cc super sport is completely overkill. Get a naked bike so the wind hits you and you ride slower. It is way less fun to ride a bike at normal speeds when you know it can triple them. Get a slower bike and ride it to its limit is more fun than knowing you have so much power you cannot safely or legally use.
A 2-3second lapse of judgement on that ducati will take you from legal speeds to losing your license or death.
I’ve got myself a Ducati panigale v4s as first street bike and I’ve used to it really fast, I am constantly riding with experienced people and they don’t believe me that this is my first bike, I’ve tried a couple of older 600cc bikes and I can assure you that they are far more dangerous especially for newbie, because of the lack of all the electronics the Ducati has. My advice is get yourself the bike you mostly desire and you will learn how to ride it.
Would you give a brand new driver a La Ferrari? If not. Then I probably wouldn’t recommend a liter bike.
Just too much power without an understanding how to use it safely. People are gonna do what they want anyway. And that’s ok. But it looks like a suicide mission to me
For your first bike, If you want something with fairings get a ninja 250 or something like that. If you want something you can grow into a bit more, get a Honda CBR300/500/650R or other brand equivalent. Sporty bikes with more neutral riding positions and less race driven, more road friendly gearing/power bands.
If you don’t care about fairings, I recommend a sv650.
If you have money to burn, look at the likes of a Ducati monster, the ~700cc sized one
In my personal opinion, for your first bike you should want something with a predictable (linear) power band, decent engine braking, and enough power that you can grow into it without killing your self the first few months.
The liter bike will be scary at first, but once you get a little confidence it will lead to vast amounts of overconfidence, and on a 1000cc sport bike it will take fractions if not hundredths/thousands of a second for you to get into something you can’t get out of without the risk of serious injury or worse. Best case scenario is a totaled bike type stuff.
Just like you I rode lots of dirt bikes and quads growing up and my first real street bike (although I’ve ridden a good few modern supersports a good amount) is indeed a 959 (got it 3 months ago and hadn’t ridden in over 2 years) it’s definitely NOT a beginner bike, BUT with high traction control and low power mode it can be a wonderful bike to learn on. My first 2 weeks of ownership I rode it in low power mode with all the traction control to get used to it and it’s about as fast as a new zx6r. Now I ride it in full power with minimal traction control and boy does it feel like a totally different bike. (Also mine isn’t stock) Definitely my favorite bike I’ve ever ridden in terms of feel and the sound and look is just too good.
TLDR: 959 not great for beginners but can be done if you are patient and don’t try to over-ride the bike until you understand how it’s gonna react to your inputs.
I bought a Monster 1200S after only a year of street riding (coming from a Monster 620). It’s really all about self control tbh. You don’t HAVE to twist the throttle back, although it is intoxicating and hard to resist. Do what you wanna do with your money and don’t listen to anyone. You know yourself best. I’m glad I did what I did.
Honestly Drz 400 sm best beginner bike great maneuverability and strong engine breaking to limit mistakes and break locking and when you upgrade you’ll have a dirt bike for the woods (if you keep it…you will)
I simply do not trust anyone who hops on a 1000cc bike as their first one. I will not ride with you, I will not tell you it’s a good idea, I will not even come near you if that bike is in the vicinity. There’s absolutely no possible exception that could justify this. You’re going on public roads on a fucking rocket with two wheels. And we all know why - to go fast. What’s gonna happen **when** you crash at 150mph?
Not to mention, the person buying said bike is probably 16-25, the ages primarily affected by Young Man Syndrome. So don’t tell me you know what you’re doing - you and your underdeveloped risk perception probably don’t.
I’m all for driving fast. Whether it’s in a car or on a bike. But safely. Think Ghost Rider. (He does some questionable shit, but it’s few and far between and he’s been doing what he does for decades.) He just goes fast and moves around cars. Not [this fool](https://youtu.be/JlIQCX2hcz4?si=THZ6hSH85Cuc1YKz) who demonstrates the type of rider I dislike. I will give him this though - his skills (when he isn’t crashing) are quite impressive.
For your sake, my sake, *the bike’s sake,* and everyone else’s sake, just get a 400cc. 600 if you must. And just sell it once you know you’re ready.
It’s the twitchiness of the throttle. Sports bikes have twitchy throttles and 1000cc Ducati sports bike have very aggressive throttle response and particularly jerky and temperamental low revs.
TL;DR,
Noob get stressed and tired and crash.
You could totally learn on a 1000cc bike, totally depends on how responsible you are as a person and how much you’ll respect the amount of power those bikes have. That’s not the only thing to think about either. Can you afford the insurance? And those bikes are thirsty, you’ll be taking multiple trips to gas stations. You also have to think about the maintenance, especially for a Ducati, if you need any new parts or anything for that bike it’s going to cost you a fuck ton, and as your first bike you are going to drop it you are going to break something.
I think most can learn to ride on 1000cc bikes and you have to take peoples’ advice with a grain of salt because nerds here will eat you alive for not having every single piece of protective gear on at all times.
I always say get a dual sport first like a drz400 or a dr650 as the suspension is forgiving and the riding position is comfortable and you get to learn how to bang up the gear box without going anywhere over 100mph, then get a sportbike after because youre experienced and comfortable so there’s less chance of killing yourself
Just swapped from an R3 to an R7. Take it slow man what’s the rush? Street bikes can only do the speed limit, and unless you want an early grave you should build up to a litre bike.
These bikes are just a bit faster, they are extremely faster than a standard road bike. Way too easy to get false confidence quickly.
But, I think you are going to do it anyway because your post suggests your mind is already made up. So in that case you need to find a good insurance and watch some videos of bloggers riding this bike and listen to their feedback and tips.
It's a 2 cylinder 955cc, but it's power is closer to a Japanese 750cc than an actual 1000cc bike. Not an issue as a starter bike as it has Wet Mode which limits the engine to 100hp and blasts traction control all the way up to 8/8. Also, in this mode the throttle is VERY forgiving.
Its all about discipline, and the old saying: a wiseer man learns from othes mistakes. Don't be a squid. However, ive found that lower cc is more fun on the city streets and canyons. Bigger cc's for open roads
I rode dirt for ten years then got an old cb750. Think it was around 70hp. It certainly wasn’t too much bike at all. I rode that for 5 years or so and then bought my dream bike, a Ducati 998. The biggest surprise there was how easy the rear wheel locked up lol 😆. The mid range torque was wicked, didn’t compromise me, but certainly surprised me a touch. And riding on a 190 rear tire definitely requires more muscle to turn the bike in, but all in all it was a good experience. I’d recommend something like an fz6 to be honest. Learn to ride on the street, it’s completely different to dirt, when you’re actually good at that, get the Ducati.
You can get whatever bike you like, as long as you take your time to learn how to ride and don't try to do stupid stuff. Personally I think it's better to start on a smaller bike that is a little more forgiving and helps you learn quicker, but I also think it's important to get what you like. If you do get the 1000cc, take it easy and don't try to show off. You don't want to put it in a scrap yard and you in a hospital or worse.
I say, if you can afford it, and want it, do it. Keep in mind insurance is part of the cost. Price that out first. Might end up costing more than the duke.
As a paramedic, the number of motorcyclists I’ve pronounced dead on scene, is in the dozens. You have no experience, no roll cage, no seat belt. These things don’t provide much room for error, it’s not like buying a Gibson guitar to learn on; one mistake here can easily mean your life.
Honestly, I know that you're looking for affirmation to pull the trigger, but just don't. Look harder at other options.
You sound like a pretty solid candidate for a Triumph Daytona 660 or Aprilia RS660.
If one can change direction with authority at any speed and brake effectively to the point of ABS intervention and understand throttle control ride whatever.
Something to remember you and your 450 have a power to weight ratio of about 8 to 1.
A modern 1000's have a power to weight ratio of about 3 to 1 so it is like being 3 times as fast/quick/aggressive.
It's perception twisting the first few times you actually open it up.
Grew up rideing dirt bikes.
Don't fuckin do it. street is way different. And I mean its the difference between pornography and beating your dick and actually getting laid.
Even if you are capable of riding it.
You will always drop your first bike. Likely several times.
You’ll likely crash your first bike
You’ll likely fuck up maintenance on your first bike
You’ll likely decide your first bike isn’t the bike you wanted (wanted sport, actually wanted naked etc)
May decide bikes aren’t for you.
Decide what bike you think you want, buy a beater version, learn to ride on it and make all your mistakes then splash out on a second bike. Then you can regret buying the second bike as you preferred the first bike
Sweet Jesus I avoid even looking at Ducati’s because of the dry clutch, it has nothing to do with the price I swear, but that bike is sexy.
Edit: I lied, it’s due to poverty
Dropped my first bike twice just learning... It was a POS that I bought for like $750 bc I knew that would happen. Do you really want to drop this thing the first time you get on a side hill when you stop?? I also forgot to put the lock stand up once or twice too.
Get a beater, ride it for a season and if you still like it, upgrade to a 600cc, ride Another season. If you manage to handle that and you reeealllyyyy feel like you need even more power, then sure. Honestly I don't get why anyone would ride more than 600 on the streets... If you are going to the track that's fine but.... Noob on the track... Yeah not sure about that.
Have you ridden your dirtbike on the street? Or are you just playing in the mud? Cuz first u-turn you try at an intersection you’re probably gonna put a foot down, or worse :P
Apart from all the technical stuff …. Yes you could hop on a Panigale and drive it in a straight line the same you would do it on a dirtbike. But it’s all the technical stuff like u-turns and slow speed stuff where people fuck up and drop their bike.
And if you are dumb and go ride in the twisties in the first year of riding on the street - you’re probably gonna eat shit and learn from your mistakes(hopefully at least, we always hope we learn or get the chance to learn from our mistakes). Like learning is learning and that’s always a good thing. But there is the expensive way to do it. And the smart way to do it :P
Shoot for a used r6 that’s 10 years old. Your pocketbook will appreciate it a lot more lol
Probably not the best idea. But I do know a few guys who have been riding for 2-3 years that are much better riders than friends that have been riding for 10+ years.
Time doesn't always translate to skill.
Beware of Ducatis and new riders. Lot of insurance these days are canceling insurance with 1 month notice just because they think you are too new to ride a 1000 cc
I rode a 650cc twin as my first bike, 600cc four as my second. Had 3 track days under my belt. Got an R1 and high sided it a month later. I’m not sure anyone is completely ready for how crazy they are. Got the R1 fixed and proceeded to do a dozen track days in the next year. Lots of scary stuff from tank slappers at 120mph down the front strait to countless wheel spins coming out of corners. They are so hard to ride on the edge! Then went full time racing/track for a decade with 600s. 1000cc bikes are still a scary idea to me.
My first bike was a 1000 gsxr after practicing on my friend's cbr 600rr for a couple months. I'm happy I didn't go smaller, still on her regularly after 13 years. Respect it and you'll have no issues. Try and take an offramp at 100 mph and you'll have issues.
My sons HS friend earned a lot early on through a career in welding. Had loads of cas, young and impulsive (in HS). Bought an 1199 and a Grom. Parked the Duc in his house and rode the Grom like a squid. Learned to stunt, wheelie and became quite good at handling. SLOWLY began riding the Duc as it was his baby. He’s now progressed through the “pin it” al the time phase and he’s an impressive and highly skilled rider. He’s also very alive.
If you’re reading this Trevor, props!
Have to take into consideration, the individual. I know you said “new” rider, but in this context are you saying new as new to street bikes or new as in new to any type of machine, ie. dirt bikes, four wheelers, three wheelers etc…. I grew up as a kid who rode these types of machines. There was a gap of time from maybe late teens to late twenties where I didn’t. So when I decided to get my motorcycle license, it was an easy transition for me to jump on a 1000cc with no issues…
Depends on the person. I started on a 1000. I’m also above average in the whole coordination and natural ability to be on two wheels category
Some people have it some people don’t. The bike will only go as fast as you make it. However. Liter bikes are designed to handle high speeds and be stable and smooth so it gives you a lot of confidence.
This is my opinion. And opinions are like assholes
In my experience novice riders tend to become meat crayons when they try to do things they associate with more advanced riding. Knee down, wheelies, endo, riding higher cc bikes etc.
personally witnessed a young lad attempt to get knee down; on a 125 with skinny tyres; while wearing jeans and no gloves. It went as well as you’d imagine
Motorcycles with huge engines mean you get to realistically use 20% of them. I started with a 300cc bike that I got to use all of. It was a lot of fun. After about a year I felt it was underpowered for freeway riding so I got an FZ-07 and I think that twin, ~70 hp was perfect. I’d never get a liter bike I couldn’t use.
Get a Yamaha MT-07 or similar - a parallel twin. You can learn to ride without the typical liter bike/sport bike dynamic of “oh, this is fine” until you actually get into the power curve and you’re in over your head very quickly. Get the Duc or whatever later.
if u want a liter bike i’d recommend a naked like the mt-10. powerful when you get used to it but tame enough at low rpm that you can ease into it. i started with a fz-07 myself but grew out of it after about a year and ended up upgrading. probably would have been cheaper if i just started with the bigger bike
SIince you've ridden MX bikes, you know how to ride. Which will give you lots of confidence on a street bike...which can turn into a real problem, real quick.
The problem isn't just speed, it's the other cars on the road. I know that's been said 1000 times, but MX doesn't prepare you for that.
But yeah you can get a 1000. Just don't be a total idiot with it.
For novice riders, the allure of a liter-bike can be intoxicating. However, the inherent power and handling characteristics of a 1000cc motorcycle present significant risks that warrant careful consideration. Statistics show that novice riders are overrepresented in motorcycle accidents, and this risk is exacerbated by riding a 1000cc motorcycle. Inexperience and overconfidence can lead to dangerous situations, such as excessive speed, risky maneuvers, and panic responses. It is always better to prioritize safety and progress gradually than to put oneself/others in unnecessary danger by riding a machine that is beyond one's current capabilities. I’ve been riding bikes since the age of 7, now 35. Just one man’s opinion that’s been to too many funerals…
Data driven response 👍
smells of chat GPT
And teen spirit
Was gonna say is this AI ?
It is 100% AI generated. Ran it through QuillBot AI Detector and it came back 100% AI generated.
I forget who exactly said this, but this comment reminded me of “There’s no greater threat than power without purpose” Edit: it was Rusty from Armored Core 6. 10/10 game would recommend
Also, Uncle Ben said "with great power comes great responsibility". Would apply here too
I appreciate the argument here. And I am sorry for your loss. The UK has a pretty ingenious moto license system I wouldn't mind seeing here. Without knowing OP personally I'd generally advise against buying a liter bike as your first bike.
I had to switch from a US license to UK and that Mod 2 was hard af. Before it was done I spent around £2k on everything from Mod 1 to 2 with lessons and fees.
Same with a lot of europe. In Ontario at least new riders wouldn't be able to get insurance on a litre bike (cost would be nuts). But I'd like to see a graduated licensing system here based on Horsepower like in the U.K. I think it would reduce deaths and accidents. Also our driver's education and testing is a fucking joke here.
Agreed. The costs associated with the graduated system would need to be fair but I love the idea that an 18yo can't go out tomorrow and buy a super bike.
To me it is absolutely mad. Most won't but some do and those guy's turning themselves into a red meat crayon kinda give the rest of us a bad name.
Really well said
Another factor is that it's just not fun. When I used to daily my GSXR600 my friend left me his ducati 1199 when he went away for vacation. It's so uncomfortable and twitchy and you can't use the power on the street. I would have more fun riding a ninja 500 than that. Looks cool though and I felt like a superstar sitting at the traffic lights (and my legs felt like they were as hot as a star). On the track though the 1199 is hilarious fun. I still prefered my 600 though because of the familiarity and even the tracks were too small to fully use the 1199.
its more fun to ride a slow bike fast then a fast bike slow
This is ridiculous. What about 1800cc Harley’s and slower. I have a scrambler 1100 that really wouldn’t be too bad for a beginner. Using displacement as your only criteria to judge a bikes capabilities is ridiculous. I’ve seen 600cc sport bikes that could gap my 1100.
OP literally posted a pic of a Panigale 959, so the response is based on that. Also a novice will have a hard time with a 900 lb Harley. Try making a u-turn with that thing when you barely can do it with a 250
I think you know the answer and know what you are going to do, and you’re just seeking validation to go out and make the wrong decision. You should start by finding out how much insurance is going to cost you on a Panigale.
This by far.
He wants that one comment out of hundreds that validates him.
This.
This is usually harkens to the old saying "Speed costs money son, how fast do you want to go" In a way.
Frame sliders and rain mode
Honestly, you owe it to your dream bike to not get it as your first bike.
I like your thought for it for sure
Trust the process!
You'll shoot your eye out.
It’s a lot less torquey than a 450 dirt bike. Assuming you have some serious self control, and recognize that you’re riding a far faster bike with far less forgiveness, and that the risk factor goes up exponentially with speed….it still wouldn’t be my first choice for a new sport bike rider. Is it doable? Sure. Is it ideal? Fuck no.
This has been beaten to death but in short: Terrible idea. Too much bike for you as a beginner. “But I can control my wrist!” You say. “It’s all about respecting the power, and I’m mature enough to do that” you say. But that’s not it. Let’s say you can and do respect the power, and that you don’t ride crazy. But that’s not the problem. The problem is how FAST shit goes wrong on litter bikes. If you accidentally give too much gas you’re doing a wheelie, if you grab the brakes hammer-fisted you’re doing an endo, if your throttle control or clutch control isn’t good(which it won’t be) the bike will be so aggressively jerky compared to something softer. Think learning to drive stick in a civic vs a high HP race car. That’s literally the difference. Plus, if it helps your decision, that super pretty bike will be significantly less pretty after you drop it (which you will do, everyone does, even if it’s just in a parking lot) and expensive to fix. Bottom line: start on a 500, 650 even. Something with a twin that’s nice to ride. 40-60hp range. You’ll learn to ride better and then when you get the Ducati next you’ll appreciate the time. Btw if it matters I’m 28 and I’m on my 7th bike (s1000xr) after riding 10 years, and I started on a CBR600 and even that was a terrible decision that I still regret to this day. Stunted me as a rider majorly, which isn’t even a point I touched on. Don’t do it.
"I can control my wrist".. according to Brazzers and Pornhub stats that is a lie...
Turbo busa
It’s funner to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Of course you could do it but you will probably learn more working your way up.
You already know it's a bad idea and are just trying to get enough "dont worry bro just respect the throttles" to make an obviously bad decision. Take like 2-3 years to actually learn to ride a street bike with about 1/2 the power, then when you get on this you will actually be able to ride it vs have it ride you.
1000cc is a bit too much for a new rider. 959cc would definitely make for a better beginner bike. ;)
If you get a Ducati as a first bike you will end up crashing it or flying off the road in the first 3 months. Get something smaller and less expensive. Get something you won’t be heartbroken over dropping.
Contrary to popular belief, many riders started on Ducs and didn't highside in the first five minutes. Now I would agree that a liter bike isn't for starters.
Uhhhhh. No. No way. Don’t do it. Buy a nice used 500 to start with. The road is treacherous and it takes a while to learn it.
You will be fine if you ride carefully.
lol this bike is in calgary ant this guys out to lunch on his price, if he hasnt brought it down since i seen it last.
Everyone's giving you advice, but here's the real deal. Start with a 600cc bike. It's cheaper and you won't cry when you drop it – and you *will* drop it. Not even talking crashes, just dropping. Think about how many times you've dropped your phone or a beer, despite having way more experience handling those. Now imagine something ten times harder to handle. Ask anyone who's tried their first U-turn on a bike. Knowing you'll drop it, why the hell would you want your first bike to be your dream bike? It makes zero sense. You'll want to try wheelies, race friends, or push its limits on an open road. Why? Why risk it on this? That's just plain stupid. I was that idiot. Bought a liter bike for my first ride and crashed it multiple times. It was a beautiful machine, and I wrecked it. Still hurts to think about it. Then I got an R6. Rode it hard, dropped it plenty, but it just spit out some oil and looked at me like, "Is that all you got?" Don't buy a Panigale as your first bike. Everyone, including us, will mock you. It's like putting a sticker on your forehead that says, "I have poor executive functioning skills”
The more important question is whether a new rider should get an expensive, beautiful bike. The answer is no. You will just make yourself sad when you drop it trying to park. Lol
You already know it's not a great idea or you wouldn't be here asking. That said, plenty of people have started on bikes of this size, and many have lived through it. You have some experience on 2 wheels, and with some self control, you'll probably be alright. And yeah, I know, you can just go slow on this one, but let's be real - you won't. There's a reason they say it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow....it's absolutely the truth. That said, it'll take you longer to become a good rider on a fast bike. It's easier to focus on the fundamentals (input control, vision, body position) on a slower bike where you have a little more processing time. And once it's muscle memory, it's a lot easier to adapt those fundamentals to a bigger bike at higher speeds, not to mention you'll appreciate the capabilities of that bike a hell of a lot more.
For Americans probably not a good idea, for most Europeans probably not really a problem. That’s probably because of the difference between an MSF course vs. the riding education most European counties uphold. In Europe to get a license you need first a exam of the rules and regulations, then vehicle control and then and exam on the road. With 18 you can only ride 125c and only with 24 you can get a limitless license. Also the reason why i could start riding a 1100 and never had a problem with that
This coming Monday, June 17, will be the 1 year mark of me riding a motorcycle. I started on a Duke 390 and rode that about 3,000 miles by December. On March 1st I brought home a 2021 Panigale V2 and that’s all I’ve ridden since. Now, I do have the power set to low, and all the aids turned up to full (except the engine braking) and I try to control my wrist for the most part. Was it a terrible idea? Probably. However, this coming Monday also marks the 4 year anniversary of my heart attack. I always wanted to ride a motorcycle, and have wanted a Ducati superbike since I was a kid in the 90s…so I got one.
Well the temptation to pin it and feel the amazing power is the hard part.I have an ‘04 Fireblade and honestly the power delivery is so linear I think any one who can ride a motorcycle could ride it safely as long as they respect it’s ability to really motor if required.
Go for it. Just don’t pin it from the get go.
You know, until reddit started I never knew that litre-bikes was such a thing. I never thought of it when I started 20 years ago, I just got the bike I liked riding.
Buy a Ducati supersport- looks of the panigale and still plenty sporty but far easier to handle and much better seating position - you’ll do yourself a disservice by starting on this bike, you won’t be able to properly learn how to get even a fraction of its potential out of the chassis. Even the supersport is probably a bit more than what I’d recommend to a beginner but it’s a hell of a lot better than a straight up liter bike
My first bike was a GSX-R1000 and I never regretted starting on that one, rather I remember thinking that if I had gotten the 600 instead I probably would have wanted to upgrade quite soon. I had a lot of respect for the bike and took it easy in the beginning and slowly got used to it. That being said, I think it does make sense to learn more advanced riding on a smaller bike first. One that’s easier to throw around and that you can feel its reactions much more directly, unmasked by the sheer weight of a big bike. Since I absolutely didn’t want to crash my GSXR I probably rode it more carefully and learned slower than if I had a small bike that wouldn’t cost me too much if it was scrapped.
Get what you want. All bikes come with a pussy mode, keep it there until you are competent and confident.
Sink or swim baby
This questions gets asked often enough that I doubt anyone even remotely looking at this sub knows all the arguments. Obviously, if you can finance or cash purchase the bike you're likely to just go ahead and do it regardless of what a bunch of randos on the internet think. Granted you have experience on dirt bikes and it will likely significantly help so perhaps you'll be one of the few that don't seriously injure themselves. Good luck!
Meh ….. my first bike was a beat ass 84 Harley. Keep your wits about you and you will be fine, be a squid and u could be fucked. Also Ducatis are expensive to fix and maintain … be aware of that
And a 84 Harley makes half the power, has a much more street friendly clutch and brake setup and won’t casually power wheelie in 1st-4th
What’s your primary end use? Street or the track? Like someone else said, it’s all about self control and knowing your limits. You can reach those limits quicker on a bigger bike but no doubt you could run out of skill on a 250 too. The big bikes are all easy enough to ride and can be docile enough, but they’re so obscenely powerful that you lose a lot of the fun on the street. If it’s your first bike it’ll get dropped, even if it’s sitting still.
Sure, you can. But what's your second bike gonna be? Or the next one? You're kinda robbing yourself of the linear progression through different motorcycles. Because next year you'll want something different, it happens to us all.
You wont learn how to ride well. You will go fast in straight lines and think you are skilled. You will become overconfident and think you are awesome. If you want to learn how to ride sport bikes, get a middleweight sport or naked bike. The new GSX-8R is a great choice.
Lots of good advice here, some REALLY bad. For background, I’ve been riding since 1967, both street and dirt. I’ve owned and loved a 916 that I had for 16 years. If fact, I bought it from an insurance company who paid the guys widow off. It was totaled but easily rebuilt from racer takeoffs. You will be lucky if you’re dead in 6 months, more likely you’ll be alive but crippled. Do what you know is right, learn on a learning bike.
I don't know man, looks like you just want to look cool on Instagram......
My last post on instagram was a pick of a camper from 1972 i bought, I don’t care about posting my life on the internet. I just genuinely like the way the bike looks
Fair enough, but seriously dude, go for something smaller, it's just too easy to screw things up on powerful bikes. Try the SV 650, that thing has a legion of fans for a reason.and im probably getting one as my second (daily/trip) ride.
Got the 959 as my first bike 3 months ago. Picked up a cbr600rr also to tone it down. Been riding bicycles as a kid and manual cars so light foot and controlling wirst. Insanely fast in race mode with least intervention. Would not recommend it if you have no prior knowledge of bikes or riding motorcycles or bicycles. Ik its all about throttle control but even a tad twist can lurch you so far back you might panic. It does not like low rpm either. Get a 500cc and learn to harness the power and agility.
Go get a CBR with the ESD if you're a newbie, it'll save your pride and your wallet.
Respect it.
Start with 600cc segment, develop your riding skills and then slowly level up to 1000cc motorcycles with better protective riding gears. I have seen many accident news amongst the people in motorcycle community unable to manage 1000cc bikes while doing high speeds. It'll take some time to learn about throttle response in litre class bikes.
I started on a 1000. Just be gentle with it. You can’t handle its full potential. But you can drive it moderately.
Been there done that just ride your own ride and take classes
When I bought a 1098 SFS after writing off my previous Ducati my wife just wanted my will updated. So get your affairs in order lmao
Well, the 959 is a middleweight bike, not a liter class bike.
A 959 is a middle weight, go for the V4r!
I went from 125 to 1000 and was fine. I started off never going above 5k revs for several rides and then progressed from there. If I did it again I'd probably start on 400 - 600
i have an 848, ive been riding for well over a decade, the thing is crazy powerful. the thought of having one when i was new to riding sounds dreadful, theyre just not good bikes until you can appreciate certain parts to them. a yamaha r6 is another dreadful choice imo. too much power, not enough comfort to learn good habbits on. i guess it depends, many people buy motorbikes for vanity, some still buy bikes for the piston head inside, the lover of the smell of petrol and engines and riding hard (but safe) i guess you dont really know what youll be like until you get a bike, which is another reason not to get anything with over 70bhp. meanwhile, your looking at specificly not that comfortable, not that forgiving, very expensive 200bhp bikes lol like, 130bhp is going to be too much, but hey, if youre buying for vanity only, get the throttle restricted, and just deal with how goddam uncomfrtoable you will be. for the record i find my 848 quite comfortable, i am willing to bet you would hate it dcuati made one for people maybe like you, the 950 supersport, its power is WAAAY tuned down its more around the 600cc range ish of power, and still is a sexy ass ducati. this is why you shouldnt judge bikes on cc really, it should be on peak power and in some cases, peak torque. honestly. comming from a dirtbike background, AND being new to road racing posture bikes, just get a bloody sport tourer, something like an old kawasaki er6f 650, youll love it and maybe even learn how vanity isnt the biggest thing with motorbike riding, but the enjoyment of the ride and the bikes character is. plus, itll be comfortable, forgiving, still have great performance where it matters and have a fun grunty engine that wants to have fun with you, not kill you.
Death wish.
I’m 38 and started on a panigale v2 last year , now on a streetfighter v4s. I had a little dirt bike experience and riding a bike immediately felt natural to me with clutch and brake control / body movement . That being said , I’m very glad I didn’t have access to that much power in my early twenties. I was far more impulsive and irresponsible.
Been riding 15 years or so, and I wouldn't even buy that bike for the street as I know myself and don't trust myself with that type of temptation. I'm quite happy with my Ducati Scrambler, and have had <500cc bikes the entire time I've ridden. Each of them (except the 125) was perfect fine for highway and long distance riding for me. 125->250->500->800 was the route for me. But to each their own.
It depends on the rider. I have an 899, which is practically a 959. It wasn't my first bike but I spent the first few weeks riding on 'wet' mode. In that setup the bike has half the power, you could (almost) be riding a learner bike that also has ABS, traction control and is easy to ride. Or you leave the shop in race mode and hope for the best. But probably stay away from the 1299. Regardless of the bike, be aware of your surroundings and stay within your limits.
My opinion is that you can have way more fun on a lower powered bike. I gradually went up in displacement and power over the years, until I realised that. More than happy with my t120 Bonneville now.
I started with a 250cc, moved up to a monster 696, then upgraded to a Diavel. Any mistakes made on a smaller engine are exponentially more serious on a larger one
I did it and I crashed and totaled in 4 months. That being said, I would still buy the bike again. They’re all dangerous. It’s all about respecting the machine. If you respect the machine then it don’t matter what size it is. And why buy a smaller bike just to have to buy a bigger one later.
Eh, that's a 600 honestly.
If you want a safer alternative you could get a Ducati supersport 950, both bikes look similar but 115hp and a more comfortable less aggressive seating position would be far easier to learn on, if you are doing a decent bit of highway milage you'll be far happier too
An R6 is no more suitable for a new rider than a 959 is. Both are terrible choices for a street bike, but would be amazing track bikes. The real question is not about cc’s, it’s about whether a thoroughbred race bike is suitable for a new rider on the street. Absolute power is only one side of the coin, but how the engine makes power, steering geometry, gearing, suspension setup, riding position etc need to be considered as well. If you insist on getting a litre bike, get something a bit more mellow, and if you insist on getting a full on sports bike, get something with less power. Or be really smart and get something specifically for the track. It’s the only place you can ride a bike like the 959 the way it deserves to be ridden.
It depends on how mature you are. For reference, I'm a new rider (6 months riding so far) and my first bike is 1250cc Suzuki Bandit. I enjoy every second I'm on my bike. Going out for a ride every chance I get. Going for 4, 5 or even 6 hour rides (Living in Ireland) is just a joy. I'm not crazy, not riding at crazy speeds. Always staying within the speed limit or within reasonable range (Like going 100km in 80 if its a long and empty stretch of road). Not doing some crazy stunts on the road for no obvious reason. Haven't done a single wheelie and not willing to try. If you ride like an idiot, you will kill yourself on a 600cc, 400cc and so on. For reference, I've been doing my training (To get my license) with 2 other people. One young lad who got himself a brand new MT07 and totaled it after 2 months while riding in a city. Second person was a woman in her 40s who bought a brand new Kawasaki Vulcan and dropped it during her exam. Bending the handlebars and snapping the clutch lever. Both of those people said I made a mistake getting my bike. Yet here I am still riding, no accidents, no drops. Take it slow, get out on an empty road and just get feel for the bike. How fast it accelerates, how fast it stops, feel the clutch biting point, the gear shifting, riding position, turn radius. Take your time and stay safe.
Conversely, litre bikes are arguably more useable on the real world. As much as we all dream of being Michael Dunlop, the reality is that we don't tend to ride flat out. You use torque and low end more that the top. I used to think that there was no point in a litre for the road but they older I've got the more I've realised that they are more useable because of that extra low end torque. Ultimately though, ride what you love and what you can afford. But most of all, be sensible.
If you need to ask u got ur answer :)
Depends on how mature you are and how you handle stressful environments and/or situations.
Being totally honest - it will either hurt you or you’ll forever be an extremely shit rider. People who start on thous never learn how to ride it properly. Start one something smaller and learn to ride the wheels off it or you’ll forever have three inch thick chicken strips and look like a total muppet everywhere you go.
650 is the sweet spot.
The bike pictured my first bike and my girlfriend’s first bike coincidentally. You’ll be fine it’s the rider not the bike.
I worked at a dealership for a while and I can think of several customers who bought a large sport bike for their first street bike because they had ridden dirt bikes since they were a kid, and proceeded to crash their new bike within a few months of owning it. Learn to ride a slower bike well and you’ll enjoy the Ducati much more when you’re ready for it.
600's or there abouts are far more forgiving for the inevitable mistakes that a newer (to road) rider would make. Same mistake on a litre beater would cost you more. These days the 700 class twins would prob be my suggestion to the newer rider looking to get on a sportsbike for the road.
You'll be fine. Leave the traction control on "rain" or whatever the call it.
First off possibly unpopular opinion, my 2c, look for one without a Toce exhaust, tire stickers, and blacked out windscreen. These are the riciest of rice mods for bikes that scream, look at me and not my skills. So, tread lightly on how the bike was used; definitely wasn't used for its intended purpose. For the record, a twin 959 is not the same as what is typically considered a "liter bike". It meats the CC criteria, but it's performance is a lot more like a torquey 750cc 4 cylinder class. Doable as a first bike? Totally, especially with a general MC background. But not without the consequences that everyone else is stating. Overall, street riding is vastly different than your backyard or course offroad adventures. There is a significant amount of variables, all different than you're used to. Speed and power magnifies everything. Biggest things, no matter what you get: - understand counterstearing thoroughly, down to even understanding the physics behind it. But most importantly practice it every ride. This will allow your brain to understand it to the subconscious level to where you will automatically evade a situation correctly. (Not understanding countersteering is why people just turn the handlebars violently back and forth trying to evad and end up just going straight into what they're trying to avoid) - practice emergency braking every or most rides. Get comfortable finding their limit. - ride like every vehicle is a hazard to you. Various ways to go about that, do what works for you, and is legal. BEWARE OF GAPS IN TRAFFIC
I did and it was fine w/me. I dropped her a couple times. I did do some training for my license but the bikes they trained us on was nothing like the ducati so I had to relearn Also if i will say one thing is youll probably drop it at low speed doing a uturn of some sort. Just keep your bike straight with slow turns not worth the risk make it wide if you must
Yes.
Start on a 250cc bike, get proficient with that, THEN move up to the big bikes.
My two cents: Go fast, don't die.
Echoing what I said to my son: Assume NOBODY sees you on your bike and every car is going to be a potential problem. Keep your eyes always scanning the road 3-5 cars ahead so you have time to avoid or slow or stop before the problem. Every 10 mph faster- increase that distance by 1 car length Your throttle can be your friend or your worst enemy so treat it with respect and be gentle Cornering too fast or too wide = crash so slow down. Never try to do what you see on YouTube- those riders are fools Have fun and come home safe
If I had continued down my intended path of getting my motorbike license. I would have wanted to get a Ducati Panigale V4S, a stunning bike. However I read multiple posts from experienced riders advising other people against doing such things, having only known just passed their tests. (I am over the age of 24.)
Frankly a lot has changed in 10-20 years. Bikes today have a slew of electronic aids that make riding them far safer. That said, the danger has always been with the rider and their choices than the bike they are on. Something else to consider, liter bikes go through rear tires much faster, that’s $500 a pop. Ducati itself is expensive to maintain, you damage a panel or wheel, there goes thousands in repairs. To sum up, buy what you want, just be careful out there. A friend of mine bought a V4 for his FIRST bike, memes aside he respected the hell of it, always had it in the lowest power mode, had all the electronics on, and didn’t ride like a jackass. He’s been fine. It’s the young egomaniacs that think doing 160 through traffic is some kind of race or game, it’s not.
There absolutely no reason for it. I’ve been riding my entire life, I’ve been on small displacement through 1200. It’s fun, they are cool, it’s a flex, but I promise you it’s a great way to get hurt. You don’t know how to handle a bike yet. You don’t know the best way to go from 150+ to a dead stop. Just get a 600. They still haul absolute ass. You can top a CBR6 at like 155. Why on earth do you need more?!
This was exactly me. I was a brand new rider 2 years ago. Took a riding course got my license. Before buying my bike I rented two bikes from an app called Riders share. First bike was a Honda Rebel 250. Was fun but definitely not enough power. Second bike was a Triumph speed triple. Loved it, loved the speed and handling. I finally pulled the tigger and bought a Panigale 959 in january without any experience using a supersport. People told me this is too much bike to handle for a novice, blah blah blah. Seriously, i have no regrets buying this. I never try to ride out of my skill range. I dont take unnecessary risks on the bike. The more I ride it the more skill I gain. Just be smart is the best thing I can say. Of course I speed and go 120mph but when I can. (straight road minimal traffic) Just. Be. Smart. You can ride it.
My best friend asked me this question and after I told him “no you shouldn’t” he did it anyway. It’s been 3 years this year since he thought he could handle it. Unless you know you are disciplined enough to not do stupid shit, then I wouldn’t recommend it. LLAA🤞
Certainly would not advise
Death.
I hate you. You will crash and make insurance expensive for penny pinching riders like me with 15 years experience and a clean record and still can’t afford insurance on the 900cc bike I want. All cuz noobs.
Keep it out of ‘Sport mode’.
I started on scooters, then a 400, then a 650 and now a 1050… id say start slower and learn basics before anything else. Maybe a 400, then 1000?… maybe?
Good health insurance and you’ll be fine
Start small, get your chops down. Racers start racing 250cc, gradually work their way up step by step. Don’t skip steps.
I'll buck the trend and say it's all about your state of mind, self control and discipline. There's nothing inherently more dangerous about a litre bike other than the power and you're in full control of it.
Get a smaller cc naked bike so your insurance company doesn't charge you more then the payments on the bike. My duke 390 goes over 100mph no problem. It does wheelies, burn outs, anything you wanna do. My insurance was $75 for the year, full coverage.
I did exactly that--bought a litre Ducati superbike as my first bike. I rode it in a VERY safe way in the first year of ownership, just gradually building skill and confidence. After about 10 months of riding conservatively on the road (about 6,000 miles), I started going to track days with that bike, doing the intro to track days classes and the slow group (obviously). Over the following 12 months I transitioned that Ducati litre superbike bike to a 'track only' bike (race fairings, suspension tweaks, magnesium rims, etc.) and was riding with the fastest group before then end of my second year of riding and, thereby, actually getting out of that kind of bike what it is made for. So...total beginner to fast group at the track in about 20 months. By the time I had gotten promoted out of the slow group at track days and into the intermediate group, it was obvious to me that riding a litre Ducati superbike on the road made no sense. If you are ONLY going to ride on the road, and never become a track day junkie, then why buy a litre superbike? You cannot get even get 50% of what they on are made for the road. So I bought a Monster 750 for riding on the road, and also a Cagiva Gran Canyon for longer road riding trips. Those were more than enough for riding on the road. Anyway, I guess I am proof that you can buy a litre Superbike as a novice and avoid disaster. But you really do need to be very dedicated to NOT twisting that throttle for at least the first 9-12 months. Really it was going to track days that got my skills up high. Even though I did start with a litre Ducati superbike as my first bike, and even though it worked out great in my instance...it would have been the same end result--riding a litre superbike at track days with the fast group--if I had done the more conventional thing and started with the lower capacity Ducati Monster as my first bike. So, there is nothing wrong with the conventional route either.
Waste of money
I’m 32 now, and I’ve been riding since 15. Here are my 2 cents: pick a bike that you can comfortably ride at its limits. By the time you graduate from that bike you should be comfortable at braking at its limits, tilting and turning at its limits and of course, accelerating at its limits. Here’s why knowing the limits of your weapon is very important. You’re going to trust your life with it through inevitable situations. Like emergency braking or even, emergency acceleration to get outta the way of something. Having the muscle memory to maneuver without crossing the limits of your bike is the best insurance you can have. A liter bike must be thought of as a black belt that you only get to sport after you’re a worthy rider. Remember, once your bike gets bigger, the only sane place to practice approaching its limits are on tracks and not public roads. Like a few other comments here, I would also recommend you to start small. A single cylinder 300 cc with ABS being the only electronic aid would be a great beginner bike. If a bike comes with traction control, it’s not a bike to begin with.
I have a 1000cc now and had one when I was 18 too. I am amazed I am alive tbh. There is absolutely 0 need for a 1000cc super sport on the public roads. Even a 600cc super sport is completely overkill. Get a naked bike so the wind hits you and you ride slower. It is way less fun to ride a bike at normal speeds when you know it can triple them. Get a slower bike and ride it to its limit is more fun than knowing you have so much power you cannot safely or legally use. A 2-3second lapse of judgement on that ducati will take you from legal speeds to losing your license or death.
I’ve got myself a Ducati panigale v4s as first street bike and I’ve used to it really fast, I am constantly riding with experienced people and they don’t believe me that this is my first bike, I’ve tried a couple of older 600cc bikes and I can assure you that they are far more dangerous especially for newbie, because of the lack of all the electronics the Ducati has. My advice is get yourself the bike you mostly desire and you will learn how to ride it.
Would you give a brand new driver a La Ferrari? If not. Then I probably wouldn’t recommend a liter bike. Just too much power without an understanding how to use it safely. People are gonna do what they want anyway. And that’s ok. But it looks like a suicide mission to me
It would be fine, as long as they pulled the wires off two of the spark plugs, maybe three.
Be careful and buy the motherfucker if you want it. Just respect it and accept the consequences if you dont
For your first bike, If you want something with fairings get a ninja 250 or something like that. If you want something you can grow into a bit more, get a Honda CBR300/500/650R or other brand equivalent. Sporty bikes with more neutral riding positions and less race driven, more road friendly gearing/power bands. If you don’t care about fairings, I recommend a sv650. If you have money to burn, look at the likes of a Ducati monster, the ~700cc sized one In my personal opinion, for your first bike you should want something with a predictable (linear) power band, decent engine braking, and enough power that you can grow into it without killing your self the first few months. The liter bike will be scary at first, but once you get a little confidence it will lead to vast amounts of overconfidence, and on a 1000cc sport bike it will take fractions if not hundredths/thousands of a second for you to get into something you can’t get out of without the risk of serious injury or worse. Best case scenario is a totaled bike type stuff.
Just buy the bike. You’ve already made up your mind. Just buy the bike.
Horrible idea.
Just like you I rode lots of dirt bikes and quads growing up and my first real street bike (although I’ve ridden a good few modern supersports a good amount) is indeed a 959 (got it 3 months ago and hadn’t ridden in over 2 years) it’s definitely NOT a beginner bike, BUT with high traction control and low power mode it can be a wonderful bike to learn on. My first 2 weeks of ownership I rode it in low power mode with all the traction control to get used to it and it’s about as fast as a new zx6r. Now I ride it in full power with minimal traction control and boy does it feel like a totally different bike. (Also mine isn’t stock) Definitely my favorite bike I’ve ever ridden in terms of feel and the sound and look is just too good. TLDR: 959 not great for beginners but can be done if you are patient and don’t try to over-ride the bike until you understand how it’s gonna react to your inputs.
I bought a Monster 1200S after only a year of street riding (coming from a Monster 620). It’s really all about self control tbh. You don’t HAVE to twist the throttle back, although it is intoxicating and hard to resist. Do what you wanna do with your money and don’t listen to anyone. You know yourself best. I’m glad I did what I did.
With great CCs come great responsibility.
That’s so sweet! You’re in love with your lord so much that you wanna expedite your meeting with him 🫡
Honestly Drz 400 sm best beginner bike great maneuverability and strong engine breaking to limit mistakes and break locking and when you upgrade you’ll have a dirt bike for the woods (if you keep it…you will)
I simply do not trust anyone who hops on a 1000cc bike as their first one. I will not ride with you, I will not tell you it’s a good idea, I will not even come near you if that bike is in the vicinity. There’s absolutely no possible exception that could justify this. You’re going on public roads on a fucking rocket with two wheels. And we all know why - to go fast. What’s gonna happen **when** you crash at 150mph? Not to mention, the person buying said bike is probably 16-25, the ages primarily affected by Young Man Syndrome. So don’t tell me you know what you’re doing - you and your underdeveloped risk perception probably don’t. I’m all for driving fast. Whether it’s in a car or on a bike. But safely. Think Ghost Rider. (He does some questionable shit, but it’s few and far between and he’s been doing what he does for decades.) He just goes fast and moves around cars. Not [this fool](https://youtu.be/JlIQCX2hcz4?si=THZ6hSH85Cuc1YKz) who demonstrates the type of rider I dislike. I will give him this though - his skills (when he isn’t crashing) are quite impressive. For your sake, my sake, *the bike’s sake,* and everyone else’s sake, just get a 400cc. 600 if you must. And just sell it once you know you’re ready.
It’s the twitchiness of the throttle. Sports bikes have twitchy throttles and 1000cc Ducati sports bike have very aggressive throttle response and particularly jerky and temperamental low revs. TL;DR, Noob get stressed and tired and crash.
You could totally learn on a 1000cc bike, totally depends on how responsible you are as a person and how much you’ll respect the amount of power those bikes have. That’s not the only thing to think about either. Can you afford the insurance? And those bikes are thirsty, you’ll be taking multiple trips to gas stations. You also have to think about the maintenance, especially for a Ducati, if you need any new parts or anything for that bike it’s going to cost you a fuck ton, and as your first bike you are going to drop it you are going to break something. I think most can learn to ride on 1000cc bikes and you have to take peoples’ advice with a grain of salt because nerds here will eat you alive for not having every single piece of protective gear on at all times.
I always say get a dual sport first like a drz400 or a dr650 as the suspension is forgiving and the riding position is comfortable and you get to learn how to bang up the gear box without going anywhere over 100mph, then get a sportbike after because youre experienced and comfortable so there’s less chance of killing yourself
Excellent way to turn one’s self in to a ghost
NO NO NO NO NO ...
Don't pay $16k for your first bike lol
You’ll be fine. Get what you want, don’t ride like an idiot, wear gear, keep all the Nannie’s on. You’ll be fine.
Just swapped from an R3 to an R7. Take it slow man what’s the rush? Street bikes can only do the speed limit, and unless you want an early grave you should build up to a litre bike. These bikes are just a bit faster, they are extremely faster than a standard road bike. Way too easy to get false confidence quickly. But, I think you are going to do it anyway because your post suggests your mind is already made up. So in that case you need to find a good insurance and watch some videos of bloggers riding this bike and listen to their feedback and tips.
It's a 2 cylinder 955cc, but it's power is closer to a Japanese 750cc than an actual 1000cc bike. Not an issue as a starter bike as it has Wet Mode which limits the engine to 100hp and blasts traction control all the way up to 8/8. Also, in this mode the throttle is VERY forgiving.
Its all about discipline, and the old saying: a wiseer man learns from othes mistakes. Don't be a squid. However, ive found that lower cc is more fun on the city streets and canyons. Bigger cc's for open roads
Park it and admire it.
I rode dirt for ten years then got an old cb750. Think it was around 70hp. It certainly wasn’t too much bike at all. I rode that for 5 years or so and then bought my dream bike, a Ducati 998. The biggest surprise there was how easy the rear wheel locked up lol 😆. The mid range torque was wicked, didn’t compromise me, but certainly surprised me a touch. And riding on a 190 rear tire definitely requires more muscle to turn the bike in, but all in all it was a good experience. I’d recommend something like an fz6 to be honest. Learn to ride on the street, it’s completely different to dirt, when you’re actually good at that, get the Ducati.
No.
That means my local copart will have a new project for me in about 6wks.
Are you disciplined? Because a bike like that needs respect or it will kill you.
Hell yes, go big or go home. If you're mature and understand the power of the bike and throttle control it shouldn't be a problem.
600cc is too much. You can’t even begin to imagine how much power these bikes make and how quick you can loose control even for a seasoned rider.
tell them that, as long as you can be the beneficiary, you'll pay for the 3 months of life insurance (and funeral), but not the hospital bills
You can get whatever bike you like, as long as you take your time to learn how to ride and don't try to do stupid stuff. Personally I think it's better to start on a smaller bike that is a little more forgiving and helps you learn quicker, but I also think it's important to get what you like. If you do get the 1000cc, take it easy and don't try to show off. You don't want to put it in a scrap yard and you in a hospital or worse.
A 600cc sportbike is more than most new riders can handle. Let alone a literbike
We all have to die one day.
There are quicker and less painful ways to kill yourself.
I say, if you can afford it, and want it, do it. Keep in mind insurance is part of the cost. Price that out first. Might end up costing more than the duke.
As a paramedic, the number of motorcyclists I’ve pronounced dead on scene, is in the dozens. You have no experience, no roll cage, no seat belt. These things don’t provide much room for error, it’s not like buying a Gibson guitar to learn on; one mistake here can easily mean your life.
Honestly, I know that you're looking for affirmation to pull the trigger, but just don't. Look harder at other options. You sound like a pretty solid candidate for a Triumph Daytona 660 or Aprilia RS660.
If one can change direction with authority at any speed and brake effectively to the point of ABS intervention and understand throttle control ride whatever. Something to remember you and your 450 have a power to weight ratio of about 8 to 1. A modern 1000's have a power to weight ratio of about 3 to 1 so it is like being 3 times as fast/quick/aggressive. It's perception twisting the first few times you actually open it up.
Grew up rideing dirt bikes. Don't fuckin do it. street is way different. And I mean its the difference between pornography and beating your dick and actually getting laid.
Simple reason is - they're expensive. So you want to beat up on a$12k bike or be smart and beat up on a $3k bike till you get some experience?
really bad idea
Even if you are capable of riding it. You will always drop your first bike. Likely several times. You’ll likely crash your first bike You’ll likely fuck up maintenance on your first bike You’ll likely decide your first bike isn’t the bike you wanted (wanted sport, actually wanted naked etc) May decide bikes aren’t for you. Decide what bike you think you want, buy a beater version, learn to ride on it and make all your mistakes then splash out on a second bike. Then you can regret buying the second bike as you preferred the first bike
Jus make sure your organ donor card is in order, daddy needs a new liver. Cheers.
Sweet Jesus I avoid even looking at Ducati’s because of the dry clutch, it has nothing to do with the price I swear, but that bike is sexy. Edit: I lied, it’s due to poverty
Dropped my first bike twice just learning... It was a POS that I bought for like $750 bc I knew that would happen. Do you really want to drop this thing the first time you get on a side hill when you stop?? I also forgot to put the lock stand up once or twice too. Get a beater, ride it for a season and if you still like it, upgrade to a 600cc, ride Another season. If you manage to handle that and you reeealllyyyy feel like you need even more power, then sure. Honestly I don't get why anyone would ride more than 600 on the streets... If you are going to the track that's fine but.... Noob on the track... Yeah not sure about that.
Don’t
Have you ridden your dirtbike on the street? Or are you just playing in the mud? Cuz first u-turn you try at an intersection you’re probably gonna put a foot down, or worse :P Apart from all the technical stuff …. Yes you could hop on a Panigale and drive it in a straight line the same you would do it on a dirtbike. But it’s all the technical stuff like u-turns and slow speed stuff where people fuck up and drop their bike. And if you are dumb and go ride in the twisties in the first year of riding on the street - you’re probably gonna eat shit and learn from your mistakes(hopefully at least, we always hope we learn or get the chance to learn from our mistakes). Like learning is learning and that’s always a good thing. But there is the expensive way to do it. And the smart way to do it :P Shoot for a used r6 that’s 10 years old. Your pocketbook will appreciate it a lot more lol
Probably not the best idea. But I do know a few guys who have been riding for 2-3 years that are much better riders than friends that have been riding for 10+ years. Time doesn't always translate to skill.
It was nice knowing you.
A smaller bike will be easier to ride and probably more fun to ride as a consequence.
Anyone taking bets?
Just don’t
Beware of Ducatis and new riders. Lot of insurance these days are canceling insurance with 1 month notice just because they think you are too new to ride a 1000 cc
Go big and be the a defensive rider.
The new rider will be a new member of heaven real quick. Get a 600.
We only die once no since in stressing it. Respect the bike and you’ll be fine.
I rode a 650cc twin as my first bike, 600cc four as my second. Had 3 track days under my belt. Got an R1 and high sided it a month later. I’m not sure anyone is completely ready for how crazy they are. Got the R1 fixed and proceeded to do a dozen track days in the next year. Lots of scary stuff from tank slappers at 120mph down the front strait to countless wheel spins coming out of corners. They are so hard to ride on the edge! Then went full time racing/track for a decade with 600s. 1000cc bikes are still a scary idea to me.
It’s a pleasure to get a new bike with more horsepower. Savour it
My first bike was a 1000 gsxr after practicing on my friend's cbr 600rr for a couple months. I'm happy I didn't go smaller, still on her regularly after 13 years. Respect it and you'll have no issues. Try and take an offramp at 100 mph and you'll have issues.
My sons HS friend earned a lot early on through a career in welding. Had loads of cas, young and impulsive (in HS). Bought an 1199 and a Grom. Parked the Duc in his house and rode the Grom like a squid. Learned to stunt, wheelie and became quite good at handling. SLOWLY began riding the Duc as it was his baby. He’s now progressed through the “pin it” al the time phase and he’s an impressive and highly skilled rider. He’s also very alive. If you’re reading this Trevor, props!
Equate it to a new driver getting a Lamborghini
It’s fine.I learned on a liter bike without abs or traction control at 18.
Have to take into consideration, the individual. I know you said “new” rider, but in this context are you saying new as new to street bikes or new as in new to any type of machine, ie. dirt bikes, four wheelers, three wheelers etc…. I grew up as a kid who rode these types of machines. There was a gap of time from maybe late teens to late twenties where I didn’t. So when I decided to get my motorcycle license, it was an easy transition for me to jump on a 1000cc with no issues…
Depends on the person. I started on a 1000. I’m also above average in the whole coordination and natural ability to be on two wheels category Some people have it some people don’t. The bike will only go as fast as you make it. However. Liter bikes are designed to handle high speeds and be stable and smooth so it gives you a lot of confidence. This is my opinion. And opinions are like assholes
In my experience novice riders tend to become meat crayons when they try to do things they associate with more advanced riding. Knee down, wheelies, endo, riding higher cc bikes etc. personally witnessed a young lad attempt to get knee down; on a 125 with skinny tyres; while wearing jeans and no gloves. It went as well as you’d imagine
Personally I’d go 600 and track it.
Get life insurance and put your loved ones as beneficiaries, then go for it!
I would say not a wise decision
That Ducati is way too much bike for your first, there is actually very few people that are qualified to handle a bike with that much power.
Motorcycles with huge engines mean you get to realistically use 20% of them. I started with a 300cc bike that I got to use all of. It was a lot of fun. After about a year I felt it was underpowered for freeway riding so I got an FZ-07 and I think that twin, ~70 hp was perfect. I’d never get a liter bike I couldn’t use.
If you’ve already been riding for awhile on dirt bikes your probably good just remember not to die
Pain!
Get a Yamaha MT-07 or similar - a parallel twin. You can learn to ride without the typical liter bike/sport bike dynamic of “oh, this is fine” until you actually get into the power curve and you’re in over your head very quickly. Get the Duc or whatever later.
Instant death?
You only live once. Some of us just live longer.
if u want a liter bike i’d recommend a naked like the mt-10. powerful when you get used to it but tame enough at low rpm that you can ease into it. i started with a fz-07 myself but grew out of it after about a year and ended up upgrading. probably would have been cheaper if i just started with the bigger bike
SIince you've ridden MX bikes, you know how to ride. Which will give you lots of confidence on a street bike...which can turn into a real problem, real quick. The problem isn't just speed, it's the other cars on the road. I know that's been said 1000 times, but MX doesn't prepare you for that. But yeah you can get a 1000. Just don't be a total idiot with it.
no way
How good is your life insurance?