New to Ducati

[JamesM]

Hello!

Since I saw the monster Ducati drive past it was love at first sight!

I've been cursing looking at a few forums to learn more about Ducatis.

I am soon going to do Q-ride to get my RE licence,

I have been looking at a few Ducati LAMs bikes,

M400, M600, M620, M659.

In Queensland you have to have your RE for one year then do another course for your R.

So do you recommend purchasing a cheaper bike to save money for a better performance bike (769, 1100) when I get my R licence? or buy a mint LAMS bike to keep for a while?

 

[auntymal]

...buy a lambie, then when your time is 'up', de-restrict it. voila! (welcome to the severely addicted mate) 

[kyle]

620 is the best compromise on the list, very easily de-restricted and then restricted again.

Wanna buy a yellow one? 

[mattyvas]

It's a hard decision for others to make, some of us here did start on a LAMS bike then move on after a year or two. Some have got a 620 and not moved on cause it's enough bike.
The 620 did enjoy very good value for many years, I'm not sure what they go for now after the 659 has hit the market.

Whatever you do you'll have a  on your dial for a long time.

[koko64]

Welcome.
Monsters are the most satisfying streetbike.

[JamesM]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Looking into the 620, is there anything I should know before I buy a 620? Service, belts, faults?

Also what would you call alot of KM's for a bike? Iv seen a few bikes with 80,000. That still fine?

[kyle]

4 months ago I bought an 02 620ie with 39000 on the dial. Bought it unrestricted for 5500.
Was able to have rego adjusted to suit LAMS.
Had all major service items done (timing belts, valve set etc) with paperwork.

I initially considered it to be high k's (and I still would) however I wouldn't hesitate again in purchasing a bike with similar k's so long as it had clear maintenance history

[J5]

Also what would you call alot of KM's for a bike? Iv seen a few bikes with 80,000. That still fine?

80k is high in the scheme of things and will hurt resale so pay accordingly

but its only 20k till its a new bike again

high kays ensure service history

[goldFiSh]

What J5 said - more about resale... there are good examples of duc 2v motors far surpassing that (and much more) provided it is well maintained. Also J5 makes another good point; probably worth noting that most high mileage examples (that I know of) were owned by one person, hence they had the motor from new...

[GK]

Welcome!

A Ducati would be one of the finest (if not the finest) ways to start your riding!

Get the largest that's allowed I reckon. You'll keep it for longer than one with hardly enough power to pull a skin off a custard!

Grab one with the lowest kays you can get, with the best service history, and the absolute most you can stretch your cash for. Don't be in a hurry, but learn about the model you want, so you know what a good deal looks like. Go to a second hand bike shop and ride a few.

Just remember to leave some cash aside for good quality, well fitting gear. Remember to try the gear whilst sitting on a bike, to see how it really fits.

All the best with it.

GK

[Twizted]

My opinion and what I did was buy a cheap LAMS bike (Suzuki GS500). Chances are you will drop your bike when learning. Save your money and then upgrade to a decent sized Monster.

[Rowdy]

My opinion and what I did was buy a cheap LAMS bike (Suzuki GS500). Chances are you will drop your bike when learning. Save your money and then upgrade to a decent sized Monster.

+1 on the GS slapper type option.

And when the time does come to get your monster, look out for imports. Lots have a history that can be difficult to check, and that makes them targets for ODO wind backs.

[suzyj]

Agree on the cheap LAMS bike.  Ideally you want something twenty years old and dreadfully unreliable, so you'll learn how to fix your bike as well.

My daughter did her P's course recently on a Honda Spada, which is a little older than she is and is possibly the very best 250 ever made.  Bloody awesome bike, the Spada.  I seriously want one myself.

You can pick them up for 2500ish, which gives you plenty of dough to buy good gear.

[Rowdy]

My wife had a ZZR250. She loved it. Never dropped it.

I don't know if they are LAMs but the thing was pretty gutless so it probably is.

[mattyvas]

I'm sure that the good old ZZR 250 would well and truly still be a LAMS bike.
I remember riding one and my older brothers Suzuki Across which was equally as gutless but made a lot of noise going nowhere.