Am I missing something obvious?

[DarkMonster620]

Worry? more about gear: jacket/helmet/gloves/footwear/under garment protection . . .

Cosmetic stuff can come later, you might or might not drop the bike . . .

We've all been there as newbies, getting to meet the floor . . .

[Raux]

good point. but i was thinking that's obvious

helmet, armored gloves, pants, jacket, boots

minimum for a starter

you dont have to get superexpensive stuff.
I bought my first set of gear from www.leatherup.com
but there are tons of other places and right now everything from last season is on sale.

[DarkMonster620]

good point. but i was thinking that's obvious

helmet, armored gloves, pants, jacket, boots

minimum for a starter

you dont have to get superexpensive stuff.
I bought my first set of gear from www.leatherup.com
but there are tons of other places and right now everything from last season is on sale.

Just reinforcing the ATGATT . . .

[BastrdHK]

I think you are totally justified establishing a baseline with your knew bike, and getting a complete service/tune done by a reputable Ducati dealer. 

I did the same with my bike.  The tech was awesome and pointed out a few things to keep an eye on and what to think about over the next service period (clutch plates/basket in my case).  The belts were also about 4 times tighter than they should've been, he showed me the difference and what the tension should feel like.  Good mechanics are like good doctors, when you find one, stick with them!

Smart thinking prior to warranty expiration.

[wrl]

Just to clarify, I've already picked up a Nexx XR1R helmet and Held Phantom gloves. The seller also threw in a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with padded shoulders/back/elbows and a pair of mid-calf height riding boots that will do the job until I decide which ones I want. I'm drawn to a few Sidi boots (Adventure, Armada, On Road, and Canyon), since it looks like some of them can blend in with casual clothes, but I'm concerned about the waterproof Gore-tex versions getting hot and I don't want rain-soaked feet when hurricane season gets here.

I'll figure out a full-on stormtrooper look later, but I need to figure out how to be safe while commuting and looking somewhat earthly for now. And I think you gents have got me wrong on the accessories/mods fever--consider order of completion as a reflection of my priorities: Scheduled MSF course => Helmet, Gloves, THEN Bike (+boots/jacket) and sliders. I'm still talking months down the line for the aesthetics.

My primary concerns right now are learning to ride (safely), getting very familiar with the bike, and removing any doubt whatsoever that it runs well and will be reliable.

Oh, and I was wondering, is this a good time to get a rear stand? I think I saw that the Pit Bull stand is well thought of. Also, with regard to the 14t sprocket, there's a lot of talk about doing a +1 to +3 on the rear instead. Worth it? Just trying to clarify before I order tonight. Thanks, gents.

[Curmudgeon]

Do the 14T now and when you change the chain and sprockets, that's the time you do the other gearing. Right now you haven't got enough chain possibly to do the +3. Sliders might be a good idea for a newbie.

Your priorities seem to be in order. As you build confidence though, just don't assume you know what you are doing. That 250 hour - 500 hour window is the worst! Remember the old saying, "There are bold pilots and there are old pilots..., but there are no old, bold pilots!"

It's not intuitive or rational, but besides learning to ride the way you'd like, your biggest threat is 4-wheeled vehicles. You may be a great driver, but you are NOT prepared for the way they'll treat bikes, or road situations which have negligible impact for cars but can be terminal for bikes.

Do yourself a favor and find some skilled and seasoned older riders to follow. Watch everything they do and figure out why they did it. In time you'll develop strategies of your own for "staying out of the box". Much of that comes from riding very far ahead and anticipating what is about to happen in traffic. Your only defense on two wheels is in your right hand.

Rubber side down!

[Raux]

riding boots? armored? ankle support and protection?
also, if you dont plan on getting true motorcycle pants, at least wear jeans with proper knee armor. I use ICON, depending on loose or tight pants you can wear it over or under.

as far as back armor, padding doesn't cut it imo. I use a hard armor back. saved my back in a wreck, hit a railing, not even sore in the area that took the hit but you could see the knick in the plastic, that was under a leather suit, near my lower spine.

in fact in europe for awhile Ducati was giving away hard armor back systems with a new bike purchase. think about this, name the two most important parts of your system that are vunerable to outside trauma. Head and Spine.

NICE helmet btw.

[wrl]

riding boots? armored? ankle support and protection?

He included this jacket and these boots. Again, just holdovers while I do more research.

NICE helmet btw.

Thanks, it's very lightweight. I got the red Cafe Racer style--matches the bike!

[Raux]

He included this jacket and these boots. Again, just holdovers while I do more research.


Thanks, it's very lightweight. I got the red Cafe Racer style--matches the bike!

I had looked at the Bilt's before. not bad for the price

[wrl]

Upon closer inspection:

[Enzoman]

Congrats on your new bike  ... just curious but where was this bike stored previously? I can't figure out how you would get corrosion under the seat like that. Have you looked at the tools inside the tool pouch?

[wrl]

Congrats on your new bike  ... just curious but where was this bike stored previously? I can't figure out how you would get corrosion under the seat like that. Have you looked at the tools inside the tool pouch?

Thanks. It's mostly just grime, but there is a bit of oxidization as well. The previous owner stored it outside the past two years, including during the off seasons. There was a cheap cover included which you can see in the first post of this thread, but it isn't very effective in my opinion. I pulled it off earlier for a quick ride after I got back from Day 2/3 of my BRC and the bike was soaked from the 45min of rain prior to my return. I think that's also the cause of the rust in various locations. I've looked at the tool pouch once, it's grimey on the inside, white-streaked oxidized on the inside's tools.

[muskrat]

on the handle bar and riser use http://www.jpcycles.com/product/900-301?utm_source=none&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&gclid=CKS07tDKzbUCFQ7NnAodaWcAhA if it's not to porous.  As a rule I use alcohol and a micro fiber towel to clean my engine, wheels and swing arm and have done so for years with no problems.  There is also a paste similar to the wad polish you can use on the bolts and things, tedious work but worth it once you see the result IMO.

[wrl]

on the handle bar and riser use http://www.jpcycles.com/product/900-301?utm_source=none&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&gclid=CKS07tDKzbUCFQ7NnAodaWcAhA if it's not to porous.  As a rule I use alcohol and a micro fiber towel to clean my engine, wheels and swing arm and have done so for years with no problems.  There is also a paste similar to the wad polish you can use on the bolts and things, tedious work but worth it once you see the result IMO.

Thanks. I'm going to get the dealer to clean it up as best they can in a few weeks when I go in for service. I'll see if they'll just swap out the rusted bolts. In the meantime, maybe I should look into a better cover?

[muskrat]

you need a cover that says it's for use outdoors vents to prevent moisture build up but outside is outside and you will get more of the same.  Good luck with the dealer cleaning it to your liking.