I'm definitely not buying a monster..

Hi everyone! I'm Gary, i've got blonde hair.... only joking!

First off, don't have pics yet... and officially i'm not buying a bike according to the wife

HOWEVER

It's our anniversary on Monday and i've bought her a very nice ring that she covets but doesn't expect to EVER get, i'm working on the basis that will give me the necessary slack for the bike to be delivered

I am in the process of "not" purchasing a 10 reg Pearl White / Black Stripe 696 which looks very nice and well looked after - going to speak to bike transporter today to get the low down and then going over to Metropolis in Barnet to see if they would be happy to take delivery and do some immediate fettling (that way allowing me sufficient time to conclude negotiations) If people want to see the bike i'm DEFINITELY NOT buying let me know and i'll get some pics of it

There's also the small matter of getting my licence!

I'm no longer a pup and whilst I rode off-road and small bikes from 13 to 20ish , i hadn't been back on a bike for 20 years. Hopefully doing my module 1 DAS on Tuesday, providing I get through the mock tomorrow.

I know that everyone says DON"T buy a monster as your first big bike, but I really battle with the thought and hassle of buying something I don't want and then selling it in a year or so and pass the chance to buy this beauty i've seen (did I mention she only has 900 miles on her!?!)

It may be a little mad, but i figured I could always restrict it initially with the 46.6bhp kit and then remove the restrictor later (note as a fat middle aged man I'm doing direct access so I would only be restricting it for my own and others safety)

Look forward to the banter and meeting up when me and the mistress are eventually allowed, for now i'm here to sit back and learn

G

[smiffyraf1]

welcome and id agree with you. get what you want first. dont faff around as you will regret it. in terms of worrying its too powerful and too big a bike remember twins arent the same as a four cyl. so you cant say base it on the CC of the engine. twins you will find have more torque and the engine does a lot more braking.
i personally think the monster is a perfect starter bike. without being restricted. not the greatest turning circle in the world but handle great, good brakes and parts are easy to come by and maintenance if you are that why inclined is easy enough to carry out yourself.
have had a few ducati's only because nothing else appeals to me. i dont feel they have the same spirit/soul as a duc. all the jap stuff looks and sounds the same anyway. dont think i will ever have anything other than a monster now though just as it ticks all the boxes for me.
my only advice would be maybe to look at the bigger engines first.
you cant go wrong with a 750 i know i would have got bored of a 600 maybe if i had had one.

[Kato]

Gary welcome mate..........one observation if I may, if the Metropolis you mention are the same firm or even associated with Metropolis in Vauxhall steer very clear of them unless you want a world of pain

[MerlinPV12]

Love the intro, welcome - hope the ring does the trick, the things we do to buy a bike eh!

Pics are the default setting on here so put em up for all to see

As a returning old (ish) biker myself I got a very nasty shock on my first insurance, so have a go at getting some quotes before you push the button on the bike - Ducati Insurance sorted me out eventually...

Let us know how it all goes

[J.P]

A big week ahead for you then Gary.
Good luck with all of those.
Welcome to the forum.
If you are successful in the week ahead there's unlimited knowledge through the forum from owners.
BigOz did a lot of major and minor changes to his 696 so he's a wealth of knowledge.

Also, and I found this worked really well with concerned non-Bikers, is to find yourself Post-Test Training. It will save your life and make you a better road rider.
Look into doing a Police Bike Safe Day
Sign up for an I.A.M advanced test (the cheapest advanced riding tuition you'll find)
And if you're really serious, call my friends at www.rapidtraining.co.uk and tell them J.P sent you. Real world road riding skills that is worth it's weight in gold.

If you need any advice let me know.

[Moley1]

Welcome Gary, I was in a similar situation regarding riding - had rode 125's in my late teens but nothing since. So 20 years later, I did my test and bought a 696 in March this year. Very happy with it and would recommend it as a first big bike. Enjoy!!

[jonzi]

Welcome

1. Don't go to metropolis. Try some where Like Rosso Corse.
2. There is already a restricter fitted. It's called the throttle. Don't open it up so much.

[Dirty]

Hi, welcome and congrats on your non purchase

As Kato says avoid Metropolis like the plague, IMO/E no matter which branch they are a complete shower of excrement and will charge you a ridiculous amount for a crap service. I think their Ducati rate is £90 an hour.

Give Rosso Corse in Stepney a call http://rossocorse.co.uk/

[J.P]

Originally Posted by Dirty

Give Rosso Corse in Stepney a call http://rossocorse.co.uk/

and for Reference their rate is £72 an hour (£60 +VAT)

[jonzi]

Just called Metropolis Vauxhall and they are £90 + vat per hour.

Use Rosso Corse, don't use Rosso Corse.

Either way, Don't use Metropolis. More horror stories than happy endings.

[Dirty]

Originally Posted by J.P

and for Reference their rate is £72 an hour (£60 +VAT)

Yes and they don't take 90 minutes to change the oil and filters!

WOW What a welcome! Now I know I'm making the perfect choice!

Thanks so much for your wonderfully helpful and enthusiastic responses to my first post...

Right i'm a quick learner

1) Don't fekkin' use Metropolis, unless you're the type of person that likes the sound of the snapping a latex glove against a custom's officers wrist, whilst in alone in a dark room the wrong side of the border you're trying to cross
2) Restrictors are for pussies... right, stop being a twat and just be careful with throttle
3) Get some post test training! thanks for the info, JP i'm going to follow that exactly and will reach out when I feel time is right for the more serious stuff
4) Check insurance... check, not too bad (feared worse), assuming the stupid tinternet comparison sites aren't lying - if all else fails go to Ducati insurance

So i've now provisionally arranged transport and delivery to Ray at Rosso Corse for some fettling while i'm on hols (thanks for your tips here on this especially! I'm talking details with him tomorrow)... DSA is already booked paid and locked in diary, if I fail (hopefully not!) i'll arrange some stuff with Duc Aylesbury - thanks for the tip!

oh and I DEFINITELY DID NOT BUY and NAME a mistress this evening...

So everyone this is Ghita in her pre-tart phase, white as pure driven snow!!!














#hopepicswork

Nice looking bike. Enjoy. Take your time and ride your own ride not end one else's.

Having added an M600 to my stable, (i.e. slightly older high mileage and much abused ZZR600), I have to wonder how you manage to ride one in a city with such narrow roads? The turning circle is monstrous, more akin to a barge than a bike. I was caught out whilst trying to repeat a fairly standard u-turn outside my house which the Kwak manages without a murmur; I ended up in a bush that knocked off the front indicator. Due to some fettling issues I was struggling to keep the engine running but I guess it goes down as, operator error!!
I deliberately went for the smallest engine because I can go plenty fast enough on big roads on the ZZR, with luggage and everything. The M600 is just for the twisties (and the awesome noise that definitely compares well with my Norton Commando's reverse cone megas).

[Flip]

Originally Posted by hatchback

Having added an M600 to my stable I have to wonder how you manage to ride one in a city with such narrow roads?

I'm sure the city folk will agree that you soon get used to leaning the things at relatively slow speed rather than relying on the steering lock.

Find a quiet car park and have a go at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_spT4_nqpY