Well done getting you're test. I was in similar position less than a year ago. No test ride. Just bought the Evo right after passing the final test. They warned me on here to take care with the speed. These are bloody quick bikes. They we're right in everything they told me. I wanted one and got one. No regrets.
This was me 8 years ago aged 32. Passed my test only having ridden the 125 on my CBT then a 500 to do the direct access. Had intended to go down the fail safe route of a cbr 600 but then spotted a 749s and fell in love with it. I tried to talk myself out of it and buy the cbr but I knew if I did I'd just spend my whole time wishing Id bought the 749. I thought the cost of insurance for a Ducati of any shape or description would be out of my league let alone a Superbike and would put me off. When I rung the insurance up and said that basically I'd been riding for just a week and wanted to be insured on a ducati 749s I was expecting fits of laughter and a flat refusal. Then I would forget about a duc and be content with a cbr. However I was quoted £550 fully comp! I couldn't beleive it. Problem was no one would even let me sit on one never mind a test ride. In the end I bit the bullet a just bought one. I admit I found it a very angry bike at first compared to the cotton wool friendly learner bikes, but after a while and getting used to it I've never looked back, I'm on my forth ducati now an 1199s.
As a newbie with a Ducati itch then I'd forget the sports bike and probably suggest either a Streetfighter 848 or Monster as a first bike. Easier to live with without experience and still gives you the Ducati ownership fun. I'd argue the SF848 is a great first bike that will be easy to live with and not lacking across different uses.
And I was just about to say 'well done forum, no one saying 'you'll kill yourself! Buy a 400'' lol Mate bought an 1100 monster, still has it, 4 years on and loves it. He passed his test at 45 If you think the bike 'fits' you in the showroom, and can afford it, just buy it
I bought my 600SS before I passed my test and then got it insured £93 fully comp at 40 Never ridden before For me the SS was very different after the ER500 I rode on my lessons
I passed my test at 55 and within days demo'd a BMW F800ST with a £1000 excess. One of the guys from the dealership came out with me, and I was glad to have him as I didn't have a clue as to the surrounding area, all I did was follow him for 45 mins. Ordered one when I got back to the dealership, had it for 2 years then bought a Multistrada. Couldn't have been easier.
The art of owning big boy toys, like bikes, is making sure wifey is happy. She is looking at changing her car, so I need to show some interest. Now I like cars and she will get a nice one, but bloody heck she is fussy. I'm a bit more compulsive and don't mull over buying stuff.
Thanks guys And ladies. Lots of great advice on this forum, very much appreciated. I think I was just really deflated the other day as I had been looking forward to testing them, and had just found out I couldn't. I'll get over it. The bikes I am looking at are stunning, and none would be a bad choice, I'm looking forward to getting something and getting some use out of it. I find the Cbr f2 remarkably comfortable thanks but I know it isn't as severe a position is the rr or the 848 Evo I have been looking at. I don't plan on getting rid of it either, I would get a few hundred for it, so I'll keep it and ride it too. I also intend to use it to learn about bikes as it isn't going to be a huge problem fixing things on it myself if I mess it up.
