New to Riding from Plano, TX =)

[Cher]

I've tried a camelback before but the water gets hot too quickly (80% ice cubes/20% water).  Do you pack ice in the backpack with the camelback in there somehow?

But even with cold water, I've become more of a "fair weather" rider lately.  Anything over about 85 degrees and the SBK gets parked and the air-cooled Triumph gets the job.... 

Anything over 95 and I'm in the car 

[CajunR]

I just pack it in the padded laptop pocket of my backpack.  I guess it's insulated enough to keep it cool.  The commute it about 45 minutes, and I still have cold water at the last stop light before I get home. 

[Jasens Deli]

Sounds like I definitely need to go with a perforated jacket to endure the Texas heat we'll be seeing in a few months!  Do most of y'all have both a summer and winter jacket?  If not, what's a jacket that works for both warmer weather as well as for cooler weather?

Thanks!

- Jasen

[TXGrillGuy]

Hi Jasen,

Welcome to riding and to Ducati! 

I'm somewhat of an older noob to riding (MSF beginner course during the 2 hottest days of Aug 2009, just after my wife passed away) and I bought my 2008 Multistrada 1100S new. With that said:

1) Hold off buying too much riding apparel until after your rider safety course. Upon completion, Moto Liberty and Cycle Gear both offer a one-time 10% off all items purchased deal. Depending on what you get, the helmet is likely to be the single most expensive item you purchase.

2) Select a bike that's comfortable for you (easy reach to ground, handgrips, comfortable levers such as clutch and front brake as you will use them often in stop/start traffic conditions), then make your decision from there. I come from a "let the bike, weapon or martial arts style select you" background and it sounds like you are prepared to respect your bike...great. But your safety lies between your ability to manage the controls AND also the riding conditions you ride off into. In short, my first bike was a new Multistrada 1100S bought with even more room to grow into.
Your safety will come from practice and your comfort level and confidence while riding...aka, more saddle time (wax on, wax off Buddy). 

3) Also think ahead a bit, how tall you are, how much you weigh (don't tell me, I'm 6' 5-1/2" and 250lbs) and whether you intend to ride 2-up (fancy smancy for with someone on the rear of your bike) as I do with my girlfriend. I opted for a stronger suspension spring (an 11 to replace the 9) and my bike handles bumps, dips and railroad tracks 2-up and with full luggage (topcase plus 2 side panniers) either in a touring or a more sporty suspension setting via manual twist of my Ohlins suspension knob.

Key words here are Discount on gear, comfort of bike (no matter the cc) and Respect for its handling and performance and you'll be dy-no-mite! 
And to anticipate your question, I just clocked 11,500 miles ridden on my bike yesterday before parking her. Again welcome and I look forward to shaking your hand during the Diavel event this Friday.

Regards,
Cleaven

[Jasens Deli]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Cleaven!  I'm sorry for the loss of your wife, but it sounds like she's been watching over ya from above. 

Thanks for the tips on holding off on purchasing gear until after completing the MSF course (taking it this weekend).  BTW, I am about 5'11, 185 lbs, moderately athletic build.  My height and weight should be a good fit for the Monster, right?  I had a chance to sit on a 696 for the first time and the riding stance felt really nice.  I was able to basically have both my feet flat on the ground as well as felt like I could control the bike should I get in trouble riding at slower speeds due to how light it is (355 lbs., wow!).  I'm looking to putting in a lot of time on the saddle and getting the most out of the experience of motorcycle ownership!  As for riding with an extra passenger, it doesn't seem like the 696 or any other Monster really accommodates a second passenger well.  Don't think my girlfriend feels extremely safe riding on the back of a bike anyway.

Oh and Muskrat, I ended contacting the owner of the black '06 S2R1000 with 7k+ miles in Austin you found for me (decked out with a steering damper (IMO the best upgrade) http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/2261025377.html).  He provided the following information to me:

He is the second owner
Bike has never been wrecked
Has the original hardware (both black keys, red (code) key, owner's manual, oem parts)
Brand new tires (Dunlop R207 race tires)
Bike was stored in a garage (little weather exposure)
Clear title
Temperature sensor was never replaced
Oil change at 3,500 mile intervals using synthetic oil
Maintenance was all privately done (my biggest concern, as I would have liked the bike to have been serviced by an authorized Ducati service garage)
6,000 mile service has not been performed yet (means I'll have to pony up $$$ immediately if I end up purchasing it)

Overall, the owner seems really nice and legitimate.  Would you all have reservations with the fact that he hasn't been getting the bike serviced at an authorized service garage and that the 6,000 mile service wasn't performed even though it's been over 1,000 miles since it should have been done?  I've read that the bikes should actually be serviced at 7,500 miles just like all the '08+ model years.

Thanks for all your advice and input!  Muskrat may have worked his magic and swung me towards purchasing an S2R as opposed to the 696 now... 

Any input as to the pros and cons of owning a new 696 vs a late model S2R 1000?

I appreciate it everyone, looking forward to meeting you all soon!

- Jasen

[webspoke]

The 696/796  family of bikes have a lighter feel (lower cg? less weight) and a shorter reach to the bars and maybe lower seat height than the S2R's.  Mostly an issue if you are not taller than about 5'6" 

[muskrat]

In realtion to the Austin bike..............drop his price by $800 to $1000 no negotiation.  I'm very picky so if you spring for beer and a bite to eat somewhere I'd ride down with you or find some business to conduct in Austin and meet you if you're intersted.  I can spot blemishes a mile away.  Did the same thing with System Error a few months ago.  This guy sounds proud, hell we all are, but after-market parts are only worth it to the person doing the selling not the buyer IMO.  You decide but the S2R is slightly higher off the ground than the 696.  I personally like that one in Austin and I'm sure you can have the Duc dealer in Austin take a look at it and certify it's a winner. 
Cons of the 696............no single sided swing arm - it just screams Ducati to me and I love the look.  I've also read that owners, few of them, had some electrical gremlins and had wiring harness changed but I don't know if it's a known recall issue.  I'm a fan of the 796 and for an extra couple of hundred - ok slightly more - you get a different look and peppier engine.
The overdue service is not that big of a deal to me if it's been treated right like regular oil changes and ridden regularly but no flogged.  The belts are the biggest problem and Ducati recommends changing them every two years which I think is crap but it's my risk and I'm willing to accept that.  They are cheap to replace and plenty of people here know how to work on these things like pro's and rarely charge more than beer.    I'm no mechanic so I'll just show up to dish and take shit from everyone.

[CajunR]

...

Any input as to the pros and cons of owning a new 696 vs a late model S2R 1000?
...

Yep: Insurance will be cheaper on the older bike.    

[Jester]

If you want to go with one jacket for starters, I'd look for a full perforated leather jacket that has a removable winter liner.  Outside of very cold weather, the liner will keep you warm until you get into the 40's temp wise.  There is a difference in perforation as well, so I'd try to see the jacket in person, unless online pictures are high quality.  Some perforated jackets are only partial, while others cover a larger frontal area with holes.  The liners just zip in and out when the time comes.

I've got two jackets, two sets of gloves, one pair of boots, a back protector, helmet, and a full one piece track suit.  I would say that is a typical moto wardrobe, but others definately have more of a gear selection than me.

[Jasens Deli]

Thanks for offering to accompany me all the way to Austin to check out the bike, Muskrat. That's true DFW Ducatisti brotherhood at its finest!   After thinking about it a bit more, the hassle of distance and potential for issues with an older bike seem to outweigh the savings and improved performance of a used S2R 1000 over a new 696/796. If the bike was in the DFW area, I'd definitely bring it into Jeff over at AMS to have a look at it. Without having the reassurance of the bike being in top shape and having to deal with making a trip down to check it out and then having to ship the bike back just seems like too much of a hassle for a 6 year old bike that isn't to be had at a great price.

Hoping something nice comes up in the DFW area soon!

[TresGatos]

I'm 6'0 and 170, size 54 Dianese leather jackets fit me great. Hope to see you Friday at the Diavel meet.

[calscrazy]

I'm 5'6" 220lbs!! Just think tresgatos and i own the same bike! Yes i know i look like a hedgehog going down the road. Dont worry about gear four years from now you will be asking....how did i get all this crap?!?!

[muskrat]

the cheapest part is buying the bike, trust me. 
oh, have you considered a 796 Motard as well? 

[CajunR]

the cheapest part is buying the bike, trust me. 

VERY VERY VERY true!!! 
helmet(s), jacket(s), boots, gloves, pants, backpack, tires, oil, stands, chain wax, aftermarket seat, chains, sprockets, various objects of billet and carbon goodness...

Mmmmmmm....  billet aluminum.

[Jasens Deli]

This is an addictive hobby, for sure!  [moto]

Just remembered that I am starting my MSF course on Friday evening at 6pm, so I won't be able to make it out to the Diavel unveiling at AMS to meet you all.  Hope to have a chance to get to meet you all soon!

I'll also keep y'all posted on what bike I end up getting as well as post some questions I may have before then.  Thanks again for all of your help and advice so far!  Looking forward to joining the Duc family soon. 

- Jasen