What human beings don’t like to think about is the fact is life in general is a finite and tenuous thing; every day we accept risks, whether it’s walking down the sidewalk, driving our car or having that extra piece of cheesecake. The smart thing to do is to find the balance between enjoying your life while mitigating risks. If you are going to ride, then my advice is to do so safely; dress for the crash and not for the ride, don’t ride faster than your limits of skill and conditions, be alert and anticipate the stupid things that traffic can and will do, don’t ride when you feel sketchy (too tired, sick or after alcohol)

Should I wear a helmet?

That is a question that you will have to answer for yourself; do you value what’s in your head? Honestly…

What other equipment will I need?

As a minimum gloves, boots, leather jacket and jeans. When I’m only going two miles down the road to my gym as a minimum I always wear my helmet, gloves and a jacket. Almost any other time I wear full gear including helmet, gloves, leather jacket and pants and boots.

How much should I spend on gear?

Do yourself a favor and buy the helmet that fits you best. I tried on lots and lots of helmets; the Arai fit my head the best but I bulked at the price and went with a cheaper Shoei; now two years later I have to budget for a new helmet because after two hours of riding I get a ‘hotspot’ on my forehead the size of a half-dollar. The end result is not cheaper. Make sure what ever you buy fits you well and is made well. Leather motorcycle jackets should be made of leather of reasonable thickness and preferably have armor. Boots should be sturdy and come over the ankle.

Are there places for women to buy moto-gear?

There are several companies that make lines for women. I purchased my two-piece leather riding suit on-line with a custom size and colors from Tiger Angel and was very happy with the results. I also have an awesome women’s cougar IXS jacket that Brian bought me as a gift. My air jacket is from Fieldsheer and fits well; I looked at the Joe Rocket jacket but they were too big and Fieldsheer came in women’s sizes. Most bike shops around my area either don’t carry womens sizes or a very limited selection. If there is a major bike show in your area that is a good opportunity to try on sizes and find out what size you are, otherwise you can send your measurements to the company and they will generally select the best fit for you. In addition to Tigerangel, IXS, Joe Rocket and Fieldsheer, Vanson and Alpinestars also make women’s sizes. I wear Held gloves and Sidi boots, both which fit me well.

What if I’m not a standard size?

There are some companies like Firstgear that make tall sizes, but if you are really not a standard size, you may have to consider custom made leathers. There are many companies that will custom make jackets, pants, one-piece racing leathers and boots to your dimensions including Tigerangel, Zleathers and Bates among others. You can check out their lines on the web and if you are interested most companies will send you leather and color samples (some for a small fee)

Mail order vs. Store?

I say it is generally safe to order mail order if you already know the product quality and size; I ordered my leathers custom made from Australia, however I was satisfied with the quality of the leather from the samples and the amount of armor from the product description. That said it is also a good idea to support your local bike shop, so where it makes sense and they can support you, remember to give those folks your business.

Do I need a special license?

In the state of Virginia, you need an ‘M’ designator on your license to operate a motorcycle. This requirement varies from state to state. In Virginia, if you successfully complete the MSF course, you only are required to pass the written test at DMV to obtain the ‘M’ designator. [Most states have specific motorcycle licensure requirements. -Ed.]

How much is insurance?

This will vary depending on many factors, how old you are, your gender, size and type of motorcycle and your insurance company. My insurance company gave me a premium break because I took the MSF course. I have a 2002 Ducati Monster 750i.e.S and I don’t pay much at all (okay, so I’m female and over 35y.o. too!)

Should I get a Ducati Monster as a first bike?

I think the Monster was an excellent choice for me as a first bike; I got the 2002 M750i.eS. I think I would have been happy with the 2002 620 since the power band was very similar to the 750 (2002 being the first year for fuel injection for the 620) but I saw the ‘S’ model with the red wheels, bikini fairing, aluminum swing arm and dual Brembos and that’s what I wanted. Get what speaks to your heart. For a first bike get a bike with a comfortable riding position and seat height for you with a fairly linear power band like the Monster. I remember riding my friend’s GSXR750 and all that power coming on so suddenly instead linear can be bad for the inexperienced rider. I remember one guy at a bike night that almost sneered at me when he found out I had ordered my Monster as my first bike, figured he was just jealous.

Should I get a 600/620 now and get a larger bike later or should I get a bigger bike to start?

Well, the best way to answer that is to be honest with yourself. Are you the kind of person that has to have a new car every two years? Then maybe getting a smaller bike then trading up makes sense, however don’t think that you will recoup the money you have put into modifications. Are you the type to keep your vehicles ‘til they fall off of you like my ’90 Honda Accord with over 160,000 miles on it? I knew I wasn’t the type to change up very often but more likely to keep a few cherished possessions, so I bought the bike that I could keep for long term. Of course now that my M750 has CF high-pipes, open air box and clip-on handlebars the fun factor has definitely increased right along with my riding ability.

What are the differences between the various models?

The 2003 Ducati Monster S4’s engine is based on the Superbike 916, it weighs 423 lbs dry and manufactures 101HP @ 8750 rpms at the shaft with a 6 speed dry clutch transmission and lots of goodies like an aluminum swing arm (less un-sprung weight), a Showa inverted adjustable fork and a Sachs adjustable monoshock and nice carbon fiber bits.

The 2003 Monster 1000 has a 992cc engine, weighs 416 lbs. Dry, making 84HP @ 8000 rpms and 62 ft.lb. of torque at 6000 rpms at the shaft with a 6 speed dry clutch. The 1000 also comes with an adjustable Showa fork.

The 2003 Monster 800 is a 802cc engine, weighs 394 lbs dry, and makes 73HP @ 8250 rpms and 51 ft.lb. @ 6500 of torque at the shaft with a 6 speed wet clutch.

The 2003 Monster 620 is a 618cc engine, weighs 389lbs dry, and makes 60 HP @ 9500 rpms and 39.3 ft.lbs of torque @ 6750 rpms at the shaft with a 5 speed wet clutch.

All of the 2003 models have fuel injected engines. Stock Monster seat heights can be found here.

Are Ducatis expensive to own?

I don’t think so if you are satisfied with a stock bike; Monsters do tend to appeal to individualists who love to ‘make them, their own’. At any rate you can be in charge of when you absolutely have to have those CF highpipes… And remember carbon fiber is to Ducatis what chrome is to cruisers.

Do they break down a lot?

Ducatis come with a two year warranty and a little card that if you break down within the two years, you can call the 1-800 number and they’ll come out and get you. I’ve never had to use it. I also stored my bike outside with a cover all winter (removed the battery) and it started right up like a charm this Spring. Ask around on the Monster board with regard to your year and model.

Should I buy a bigger used bike or a smaller new one?

Only you know the answer to that question. There are some good buys out there on some nice bikes that have been taken care of and have some tasty mods on them that you can clean up on. There are also bikes that have been thrashed on the track and maybe some expensive frame damage or so. The bottom line in any purchase is know what you are getting. I bought my first bike new, a 2002 Monster 750i.e.S and my second bike I will likely buy used next year when I have my car paid off. And yes, I am definitely keeping the Monster.

- Lori Stallworth (*standard disclaimer* answers are a reflection of my personal opinion)