Starting a new hobby can cause a bit of undeserved anxiety. Not only is it 'uncharted waters', so to speak, but it could also be pretty pricey (depending on which one you choose). Because of this, it's smart to do your research beforehand; making sure that what you get into is what you ACTUALLY want.
For instance, getting a motorcycle. It has all of the aforementioned issues: it's costly and somewhat dangerous, especially compared to normal cars. Though, if you go ahead and get one anyway, the right bike will make all your fears go away.
Don't listen to some of the forum pages online, saying that a sports bike is just fine for newbies. In reality, it's best to start smaller; whether that be in terms of engine size or bike chassis. Perhaps the best starting point (to us) is a 'Dual Sport' motorcycle.
Almost every manufacturer offers some type of dual-sport bike, but not all of them are equally as good as one particular Ducati.
Today, we want to focus on one particular version: a Ducati Dual Sport. Here's why it's an excellent choice for beginners.
What Is A Dual Sport?
First and foremost, before we go on any further, some of you may be asking "What is a Dual Sport motorcycle, anyways?" It's a fair question; one that beginner-level motorcyclists might not be fully aware of.
In short, a Dual Sport is "an offshoot of the Enduro bike. Enduros are motocross or dirt bikes with a headlight, taillight (but no brake light), and a wide-ratio tranny" according to BikeBound.
However, instead of just being a re-skinned dirt bike, a Dual Sport is made for both on-road and off-road. Some may argue that Dual Sports are better on-road compared to off, but the differences are minimal.
Because of its ability to (legally) drive on public roads whilst simultaneously having the capabilities to go trail riding, it got the name of 'Dual Sport'.
If you've had any level of experience in MX bikes, you'll feel right at home in a Dual Sport. With a softer suspension, upright riding position, and dirt-loving nature, it's easy to mistake a Dual Sport for an upgraded dirt bike.
Performance And Beauty In One Package
With a Ducati Dual Sport, other bikes (known for performance or beauty) will hardly be able to hold a candle to this Italian manufacturer's might. Along with a degree of pedigree, a Ducati is supposed to be fast, faster than anything else, and sexy, to boot!
Thankfully, Ducati doesn't disappoint here, either. Whatever type of Dual Sport you choose, rest assured that it'll have plenty of power from the factory, especially if it's an authentic Ducati.
From what we can gather, Ducati currently has three main types of Dual Sports/Enduro's: the Scrambler, Multistrada, and Hypermotard - All three representing different forms/power-levels of Ducati's Dual Sport lineup.
The Ducati Scrambler is the least powerful of the trio; mostly mimicking a café racer or street-legal dirt bike. Beyond going off-road and being comfortable, the Scrambler is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Just seeing it out in the wild feels like a 'blast from the past', so to speak.
Next is the Multistrada, the biggest and most well-equipped of the rest. Instead of being a mixed café-looking bike, the Multistrada is closer to a Touring bike than a dirt bike. Sure, it can go off-road, but it can also go on cross-country trips.
Finally, we have the best-of-the-rest: the Ducati Hypermotard. With its sharp appearance, low-sitting profile, and ~1,000 cc engine, the Hypermotard is (easily) the best looking and fastest of the three! Whether you want to call it a dual-sport, supermoto, or anything in between, we'll still love it for its aforementioned achievements!
For The Status
As we mentioned beforehand, a Ducati motorcycle carries a bit of pedigree with its name. Similar to Ferrari or Lamborghini, but the bike equivalent. As such, you have a select few who only go for Ducati's for the perceived status boost it gives.
Needless to say, this isn't the route you should go down. Truly make sure this is something you want at the end of the day. Yes, everyone loves to have the nicest, most up-to-date thing they can, but that doesn't do much for the riding experience, per se.
In our estimation, it's far better to have a bike that's fun and fast rather than a bike that's just "well known." Though, that's not to say that a Ducati Dual Sport can't be both. It certainly can.
Though, having such a great road-bike isn't without its downsides. For one, they're extremely expensive (due to the Ducati brand). Secondly, maintenance isn't cheap either. So, if you decide to go down the 'Ducati Dual Sport path', have some extra cash lying around. You never know when it might come in handy.