[Packofcrows]

Originally Posted by covance

Figured I would ask some questions here after reading through this thread instead of starting a new one:

Background Info

-26 years old, no tickets, pretty responsible person - basically not a 17 year old who isn't mature enough yet to know not to do very unsafe things with a new bike

-I am taking a basic rider safety course at a community college hopefully this May that allows me to get my license without a DMV exam

-I plan to buy all the right gear (helmet jacket pants gloves boots)

-I am absolutely obsessed with Ducati Monsters. I think they are beautiful and it is by far my dream bike. I am not interested in getting the fastest bike or the best. I am sure there are tons of pros and many cons to this bike but I am unable to set my eyes on anything else. I love the style of a naked bike and this is eventually what I want to buy.

Questions
Lot of my research online points to buying used smaller bike like a Ninja 250 as a new rider. If I eventually plan to buy the Monster is it worth the cost of getting this type of bike first and then selling, or is it pretty easy to not take a loss on the resale?

Having never owned a bike before, if I do go with the option of buying a used Ninja, should I just go to a dealer to make sure I am not getting something damaged? In your experience what should one look out for when buying a used bike?

Final question - I have lower back problems from a accident several years ago. Is the riding position of the Ninja 250 much more uncomfortable than that of the Monster? Are you leaning forward quite a bit more?

Thanks for any insight!

250 is not good for highway. Get a 500cc and up imho. Ninjas? Just get a Vulcan. Id buy it. Cruiser bike is your friend until you feel comfortable. Imho