Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

[levon]

I've wanted a bike for a while, but the timing wasn't right till now. I as close to being a beginner as one can be, having only been on a 35cc scooter before. I've been looking around for bikes for the past 2 weeks and have pinned down my choices to either a Ducati Monster 696 or the Yamaha FZ6. I hear they're both good beginner bikes, but that's from a friend who does 100mph villies on the freeway.

I'm really leaning towards the Monster, but I I like the FZ6. What you guys think?

[Yedtarts]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

From a scooter of 35cc to these? Get a car it’s much safer.

[levon]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

From a scooter of 35cc to these? Get a car it’s much safer.

I have a car. I only mentioned the scooter to reinforce the fact that I've never really been on an actual motorbike.
Do you ride?

[Yedtarts]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

I have a car. I only mentioned the scooter to reinforce the fact that I've never really been on an actual motorbike.
Do you ride?

I use to long time ago. Had a Suzuki 250 dirt bike, it was powerful enough to have fun for about 2 years, got rid of it after had a fall and it scared the hell out of me.

[Eddo211]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

That Ducati is not a beginner bike...you can take that to the track (with little setup)and keep up with the big boys in a tight track. parts are also very expensive and the riding position less comfy for street rides. It is an excellent starter bike for someone who has some riding years behind him and wants to become serious.

The Yamaha 600 would be your best bet.....don't underestimate it though, I used to loose the bigboys (900cc) with my CBR600F3 in the tight canyons but on straight runs they had me.

And as far as injuries....it is not a matter of if it will happen but WHEN will it happen.

Most serious racers avoid streets all together but as long as you use common sense, learn your bike, let it be an extension of you, and most important finness and control....the rest (speed and performance) will come naturally by itself without you even knowing it.

I suggest getting good riding gear like a DOT Snell helmet (It has saved my life twice already) and join a basic training school and get your bike license, especially if it is required by the state. Leave the 100MPH villies for the kids and show offs. Real riders ride very responsibly, defensively, and when needed aggressively to maintain a a good safety margin.
Riding is an art and science, you must master things like how to apex a turn, double shift smoothly, half clutch, countersteer effectively, manage your entry and exit speed, suspension loading and setup for your weight, trottle control, proper braking, body position, and where to look (field of vision), situational awareness, and avoid tunnel vision and fixations....all at once

To anticipate danger and think several steps ahead is also a key.

Happy riding, rubber side down and cheers.

[levon]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

Thanks for the great reply. I'm plan on taking a basic riders class next month, though Ky only requires a permit to ride a motorcycle. I really like the looks of the ducati, but if it's not a beginner bike I'd rather have it later and enjoy it, rather than get it now and crash it. I had no idea there would be such a drastic difference between 600cc and 696cc, but as I mentioned, I'm very new to bikes.

How about the Ninja 600. Is it in the same range as FZ6? There are a lot of them around here so they go lower than others, though I don't like it as much as the FZ6.

Btw, how long have you been riding?

[Eddo211]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

Thanks for the great reply. I'm plan on taking a basic riders class next month, though Ky only requires a permit to ride a motorcycle. I really like the looks of the ducati, but if it's not a beginner bike I'd rather have it later and enjoy it, rather than get it now and crash it. I had no idea there would be such a drastic difference between 600cc and 696cc, but as I mentioned, I'm very new to bikes.

How about the Ninja 600. Is it in the same range as FZ6? There are a lot of them around here so they go lower than others, though I don't like it as much as the FZ6.

Btw, how long have you been riding?

The FZ6 is a street/sport bike which gives you the limited performance of say YZF600 R6 and the street friendly handling of a cruiser. The engine displacement is about the same but the R6 performance is much higher (handling, cornering, traction control, weight, riding position, ground clearance, etc...)

Here is an R6 (I used to own an R1)



Ninja 600 are just as good, however I prefer Yamaha or Honda over Kawii. That Ducati is an awesome bike but as a rule I normally would not recommended to a new starter but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it....I be jealous

I started riding dirtbikes long time ago, ended up in local motocross 250cc races. I rode streets when I got older starting with a 600 bike above and transitioned to 900cc and track riding in Willow Springs, CA.

I have broken and dislocated collar bones, rib fractures, c12 compression fracture (spinal cord, almost went paralyzed), knee injuries, etc. over the years. I have damaged two helmets beyond use and trashed several riding suits on road rash.....all these years have taken its beating on me and now I have severe curpal tunnel on my right wrist (throttle hand goes complete numb after 15min riding) which has pretty much retired me from advance riding.

I do anything to get back in it.

[levon]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

Thanks for the advice. I went to the dealership today and checked out the R6 first-hand. It's an awesome looking bike. I want to eventually get the ducati, so I need to figure out whether getting another bike before-hand would not be too big a loss if I end up switching during the first year. I suppose I could also get the ducati, and just spend more time away from any roads than with a more beginner bike.

Wow, all those broken bones and you're still so mentally hooked to riding. Must really be a whole different kind of experience. Thanks for sharing.

[Tali]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

It's generally better to get another bike before a Ducati. I had to get talked out of riding alltogether. Though I maintain Ducati's are still the best ride plus style, you could always sell the bike you started off with -- especially within the first year if you get comfortable with riding that quickly. You might lose a couple hundred, but at least not the full cost of bike.

Though, as someone else said, Ducati's are among the hardest to maintain - mostly because parts are expensive and then finding someone who knows how to fix it.

The risk factor is really high, so a couple more classes you'd probably want to take are specific "defensive driving" courses for motorcyclists. People who enjoy riding are usually the ones who want to keep doing it for a long time thus aren't reckless. You don't strike me as the reckless type, but also avoid driving inbetween cars if you can (it is super-tempting, so more likely than not, you will -- most do). It's almost unavoidable sometimes, too, so i'd also practice riding inbetween tight spaces (make-shift, like two cones or something; not structures or other vehicles).

I hope you find the bike that fits what you're looking for
Best of luck and looking forward to reading about your adventures

[levon]

Re: Ducati Monster 696 or Yamaha FZ6 for starter bike

It's generally better to get another bike before a Ducati. I had to get talked out of riding alltogether. Though I maintain Ducati's are still the best ride plus style, you could always sell the bike you started off with -- especially within the first year if you get comfortable with riding that quickly. You might lose a couple hundred, but at least not the full cost of bike.

The problem is I really want the Ducati, and it'll cost me 10x a couple hundred to switch later. If I bye a bike now I'll have to stick to it for at least a couple of years, or bye a cheap used bike for a few months.

You don't strike me as the reckless type

That's funny, but sadly I'm more of an adrenaline junkie and live from one risk to another, I just don't have the time anymore, so a motorcycle would be a good way to bring back some excitement.