Penforhire

You'll end up upgrading the SV suspension with a cartridge emulator if you get into serious sport riding, but at least it can be done.

pfb

The SV is a great bike at a great price.

The duck monster would also be fun, and a little more unusual.

As it sounds like you are not into aggressive sport-riding, I think the 620 would be a great choice!

scottrnelson

My Ducati Monster has been treated pretty much as a "ride it and forget it" type of bike for nearly six years now. There have been absolutely no problems with it. Other than having to pay a little more every 6000 miles for service, getting the valves checked and new belts every 12,000 miles, the Monster is not more expensive to operate than your average Japanese bike. However, I get more satisfaction riding the Monster than from any of the more than a dozen other motorcycles I've owned.

If you want to get in touch with other Monster owners, visit http://www.ducatimonster.org/

Penforhire

I just read the 2002 sales numbers in Motorcycle Consumer News and I'm amazed that total US sales for Ducati is only a bit over 5,000 bikes meaning 0.7% of the US market. And Honda's sales were a bit over 230,000 units and 28% of the market. I must live in the land-o-Ducati since I see 'em everywhere. That surely defines "exclusive."

Da Hapa

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Penforhire
[B]I just read the 2002 sales numbers in Motorcycle Consumer News and I'm amazed that total US sales for Ducati is only a bit over 5,000 bikes meaning 0.7% of the US market.

VFROOOM

Another good Ducati group is www.USDESMO.com they have Riding Rallys4-5 times a year and full-on track days 3 times a year. From Ohio, you can go south and visit the WV and TN rallies scheduled this year.

I've been attending their events for 3 years, even with my Honda VFR, they're a good bunch of guys. Usually 80-100 bikes per event.

The Duc Monster is cool.....Buy it!