New Rider looking for a New bike

[curtisc83]

I'm fairly new to riding I had monster 620 and rode it for about two months. Its sold now but I am in the market for a new bike. The 620 was seriously underpowered for me and I felt huge on it and cramped I'm 6ft tall and 225lbs. Also my lower back has issues from my Paratrooper days in the Army so the riding position was a little hard on me. I'm 28 years old but have had more life experiences then most people will ever have. I am a combat war vet/Paratrooper OIF 1 and 3. I am currently in Afghan now as a Civ I have been to lots of places in the world. So I'm not young dumb and full of cum and I won't be popping wheelies down the freeway or riding with a tank top or board shorts in flip flops. I just want to ride around and enjoy the ride nothing more. I had plenty of thrills in my life speeding, popping wheelies, riding roller coasters or anything like that does nothing for me.

So here is my question the Ducati Diavel seems to be something that could work for me and I can dial the HP's to back to 100hp by changing the modes also I like the ABS and think that is a must. I haven't already made up my mind on this I am looking at HD's as well but don't like the styling of the most there bikes they seem antiquated and from the 60's so it just doesn't fit me and I hate chrome. I have a great job so servicing the Duc and fixing it if it is dropped isn't a issue and is the least of my worries. So could the Diavel be a good fit for someone like me. Also I would get the heavier version not the carbon just to make the HP to weight ratio worse since I am a fairly new rider and all.

[Artful]

It's a lot of bike for a new rider but you sound like you've got your head on straight. It only goes as fast as you tell it to. I say go for it, and don't worry about carbon/non-carbon, get the one that makes you happy.

Thanks for your service.

[muskrat]

+1
you may also consider the new Multi, for your frame it would fit perfectly with excellent riding position.

[DucHead]

There are two, black Diavels at my local shop.  They look much better in person...GO FOR IT!!!   

...and thank you for your service.   

[thought]

take a look at how you'll be riding too... if you plan on touring a lot with some light adventure touring, then the multi would probably be a lot more comfy.  if it's just cruising around with some light canyon stuff, then the diavel will prob fit you a lot better.

and thanks for your service

[curtisc83]

Thank you for all the great feed back. I have another question I do love the look of the Monsters the 620 killed my back but how different is the Monster 796. I keep on reading the riding position is more upright would I notice a big difference. What drew to riding for the very beginning was the Monster so I do love the style of the bike and if possible wouldn't mind having another one.

[Privateer]

Thank you for all the great feed back. I have another question I do love the look of the Monsters the 620 killed my back but how different is the Monster 796. I keep on reading the riding position is more upright would I notice a big difference. What drew to riding for the very beginning was the Monster so I do love the style of the bike and if possible wouldn't mind having another one.

I ride a 620 (5'10" 215) and had a chance to ride a buddies 696.  My understanding is the ergos are the same as the 796, so forgive me if they're different.

My impression was that the footpegs were lower, or maybe positioned more forward.  I didn't measure it or anything, that was how it felt taking it for a 10 minutes spin.  Bars felt about the same.

Keep in mind that all that 'stuff' can be changed.  adjustable footpegs, bar risers or taller clip ons, bars with more pull back, a lower seat.    You might consider getting a back-a-line belt too, as a combination of mechanical and biometric solutions might be what you need (not speaking as a doctor or anything, you know your situation better than I ever will.)

[thought]

My understanding is the ergos are the same as the 796, so forgive me if they're different.

depends on the year of the 696.  pre 2011, the risers are lower and the seat is more forward sloping.  post 2011, the 696/1100 inherits the 796 risers and new seat to my knowledge.  i could be wrong about that though.

[Kev M]

You've had a ton of life experiences, but you're not savy about motorcycles. That's not a dig, just a fact (made clear by your statements regarding the M620).

An M620 turns about a 12 1/2 second 1/4 mile (MCN times) and though it's far from a top-dog of the sportbike world, it's faster than most cars and MOST motorcycles OTHER than sportbikes.

Also, compared to MOST other motorcycles it has got a light, and very capable chassis.

My point - it takes skill to ride, and you'll build WAY more skills (and have way more fun) learning to ride a slower bike fast than attempting to ride a faster bike slow.

Think about your military training, especially combat training. You're taught to develop the proper instincts, the proper automatic reactions. You don't do this by tackling the hardest skills first, you start with basics and work your way up as they become ingrained in you.

Two months of riding isn't anything time-wise.

Most newbies crash at about the end of their first YEAR cause they start to THINK they've got it down and only then realize they don't once they exceed the limits of traction, are too scared to lean it more when they went in too hot, or grab too much brakes or too much throttle when they MEANT to grab less.

So PERSONALLY I'd recommend something more in the middle ground. Maybe something used. A R1150R BMW perhaps, or maybe a GT1000. These will have a larger chassis and a more upright riding position for more comfort, but they will also be a little more forgiving from the HP-to-weight ratio perspective.

If after a year or two you still want a Diavel, you'll have much more skill with which to enjoy it.

RIDE SAFE no matter what your decision.

[sbrguy]

the new monsters and the old monsters have relatively the same position, not identical but not far off, so if your body doesn't like the old 620 position another monster stock won't be that much of an improvment, maybe it will be but i would guess you need something more upright.

the diavel is a more cruiser position, not lazy boy style, but think of the monster but not hunched over anymore, the multi strada might be what you really want if you liek the looks and its literlaly like sitting on a dining room chair position.

you have the height and weight to make the diavel or the multistrada work for you.

[ducatiz]

buy a ninja 250 and ride it until you know enough not to get killed.

[bikepilot]

The multi is super comfy and you can put it in 100hp mode too.  The Diavel isn't a bad bike and IF you ride it with care I think you'd be fine.  Statistically ex-military guys crash a whole lot more than the rest of us (which isn't a surprise when you combine being accustomed to the dangers of battle with self-selection factors wrt risk preference) so make sure to honestly evaluate how restrained you'll be in riding it. 

I wouldn't worry about getting the heavier vs. lighter D.  Get whichever you like, the weight difference isn't big and any slightly slower acceleration you'll get with the heavier one will be offset by additional difficulty in controlling it due to weight - but all very minor differences. Slight performance advantage to the carbon, but only slight and no advantage one way or the other in terms of user-friendly manner as best I can tell.  Neither is really an outright performance bike, but they'll do a half-decent job of pretending to be so and will offer dramatically better performance than anything from HD.

It would be advantageous if you could get some significant miles in on a lighter bike so you could develop more advanced riding skills.  It'll be really difficult to become a skilled rider on the D.  You can probably ride around ok and have fun indefinitely without much skill on the D, but if you want to become good at this stuff a smaller bike will be a much better learning tool (and a heck of a lot of fun). 

Since cash isn't a big issue I think you should consider getting the D along with an SV650 (or similar) track whore (~$3k, but you can spend half that or twice that if you want).  Do a bunch of track schools and track days on the SV for a couple of years, toodle around on  the D on weekends and before you know it you'll have learned more than you might have in a lifetime of casual weekend cruising (which will make subsequent casual weekend cruising that much safer and more rewarding).

[curtisc83]

I'm in Afghanistan right now am go outside the wire on convoy's or on foot getting killed on a bike is the least of my worries.

buy a ninja 250 and ride it until you know enough not to get killed.

[curtisc83]

Good idea I think I should do that have the best of both worlds

The multi is super comfy and you can put it in 100hp mode too.  The Diavel isn't a bad bike and IF you ride it with care I think you'd be fine.  Statistically ex-military guys crash a whole lot more than the rest of us (which isn't a surprise when you combine being accustomed to the dangers of battle with self-selection factors wrt risk preference) so make sure to honestly evaluate how restrained you'll be in riding it. 

I wouldn't worry about getting the heavier vs. lighter D.  Get whichever you like, the weight difference isn't big and any slightly slower acceleration you'll get with the heavier one will be offset by additional difficulty in controlling it due to weight - but all very minor differences. Slight performance advantage to the carbon, but only slight and no advantage one way or the other in terms of user-friendly manner as best I can tell.  Neither is really an outright performance bike, but they'll do a half-decent job of pretending to be so and will offer dramatically better performance than anything from HD.

It would be advantageous if you could get some significant miles in on a lighter bike so you could develop more advanced riding skills.  It'll be really difficult to become a skilled rider on the D.  You can probably ride around ok and have fun indefinitely without much skill on the D, but if you want to become good at this stuff a smaller bike will be a much better learning tool (and a heck of a lot of fun). 

Since cash isn't a big issue I think you should consider getting the D along with an SV650 (or similar) track whore (~$3k, but you can spend half that or twice that if you want).  Do a bunch of track schools and track days on the SV for a couple of years, toodle around on  the D on weekends and before you know it you'll have learned more than you might have in a lifetime of casual weekend cruising (which will make subsequent casual weekend cruising that much safer and more rewarding).

[sl8tr]

I had some issues with my 695 when I first bought it. Shoulder and lower back issues from training and work. I spent a small amount of money and put on risers and the DP touring seat and also an adjustable link and raised the rear a bit for comfort and the front to keep the ride the same.

Stay safe over there.
Thanks for keeping those Taliban bastards away from our families.