Seven years ago, I bought a leftover '05 1000DS as my first bike. THe owner of now defunct BCM Motorsports in Laconia, made the argument that the 1000 might actually be easier to ride than the 620 because the engine's greater torque would require less shifting to ride well. Who knows? It was a good ...

Or Vermont?

22,000 miles in 3+ seasons - absolutely bulletproof!

RB

I go tan 05 leftover 1000ds as a first bike ever. I'm 6'3' and 240lbs. Good ergos.

I was going to buy a 620 (most of my riding wold be on the rural roads of VT and th eAdirondacks.

Leslie, the owner of BCM (a leading Ducati dealer) had both a 620 and 1000 and steered me to the 1000 for these ...

Good point on the suspension. I had mine optimized by BCM (not that I could tell there was a problem), and they switched out the rear spring for a beefier ( I am 240 lbs), non progressive Ohlins spring.

I'd have to say it is an improvement.

RB

I'm 6'3", 240lbs, 3% body fat (not really). I echo the positive words about ergos for big people. I added a Laminar Touring screen with "lip" and the wind protection is now fine well above 70 mph. I've done 2 2,000+ mile week long trips in relative comfort but am considering adding a more dedicated ...

Well, I must be atypical, because my Multi is my only bike, and I've ridden it in some truly remote places (20-30 miles traveled between sightings of another vehicle - for hours) and I felt totally confident in the bike - maybe it was partly because I just had my bike serviced at BCM, or maybe I ...

Well, I must be atypical, because my Multi is my only bike, and I've ridden it in some truly remote places (20-30 miles traveled between sightings of another vehicle - for hours) and I felt totally confident in the bike - maybe it was partly because I just had my bike serviced at BCM, or maybe I ...

My '05 Strada (6,000 mile service intervals) has been bulletproof so far (16,000 miles), and my mechanic suggests that once past 12,000 miles you are likely to be able to go 8,000-9,000 miles between major services (valves).

If you are in Manchester NH, you have one of the best, most reliable and ...

No problems with my MTS 1000DS after 12,000 miles on mostly rough roads.\
\
RB

I fit your profile (more or less) plus about 30 yrs. In the face of all the same comments to get a "beater" I bought a leftover 2005 1000DS in feb 06, took the MSF course, and am just clicking over 10,000 uneventful, but extremely rewarding miles. I felt that if I got a beater it would just not be ...

I have 8500 trouble free miles (well, one uneventful "close call" on the Appalachian Gap) on my first bike, a 2005 1000DS, Mileage includes 3 overnight jaunts - and I plan a week long 2000+ mile trip to eastern Quebec in a few weeks. I know my riding has improved by the speeds I am comfortable with ...

Well, I am a "never rode before" guy who read all the advice about getting a used beater for a first bike (which does make very good sense), and then went and bought a brand new '05 leftover 1000Ds with a slipper clutch last winter.

My reasoning: I felt that if I bought a beater, I'd have a greater ...

Dear Jovial -

I'm 57, coming off knee surgery and a mild stroke. Last winter, I bought a MTS 1000 as a first bike. Chose it for ergos, usage (lots of curvy badly surfaced roads in Vermont) and all around suitability. After taking MSF in May, I have put on 3,500 absolutely fun, troublefree miles ...