paso 750, practical for returning rider?

[italiaNOLA]

I am looking to purchase a ducati paso 750. I have been away from motorcycling for some time, and am mainly curious if such a bike is practical (and manageable) for a smaller rider who is not extreemly experienced. I have looked into the bike and its idiosyncracies. for starters I know the carbs have been changed to mikuni (eliminating the issue with webers factory installed) and the tires are fairly new (difficult size to find).

any recommendations, how is the bike to ride for someone who has not ridden for a while? I am 5-9 tall and weigh 150 lbs. (what is the seat height, is it comfortable for a mid sized rider, 32" inseam).

thanks much, looking forward to getting back on the bike and owning a ducati. the bike is in fairly good shape overall (1 mirror needs to be replaced, previous owner tipped it). asking price is $2000. believe mileage is about 50,000. but if service has been kept up, that should not be an issue.

thanks again for all your input and davice, in advance.

kevin

[Kurt]

Where are you?

[persempre907]

I'd say that Pasos aren't the easier bikes to start or returning rider.
They are quite heavy and the hand bars get the bike quite hard to ride.
I had a 906 as first bike and I fell many times
As first bike, perhaps I'd go to a naked bike, as a Monster, which has wider handle-bars and less weight.
Ciao

[italiaNOLA]

I am in new orleans, louisiana. usa. coincidentally, I also have a good friend who owns a well cared for monster 750 he is wanting to sell me. it is $7000, but more manageable handling and more practical to maintain. looks like the monster is more practical, despite its higher initial price tag?

either way, if I get a bike want it to be a ducati. service is no problem as I am very technically skilled.

kevin

[higgy]

If you like to tinker and know how to handle yourself on a bike,buy the paso you will not be dissapointed

[Kurt]

I find the 907 Paso easy to ride, but I have to say I have never ridden a 750 Paso. I'm about the same height as you. While the seat isn't very high, it is wide, so your legs don't go straight down to the ground at a stop, so either I can plant one foot firmly with the other on the peg, or touch both feet with toes only. That's me anyway. When you have a chance to sit on the 750, you can judge for yourself. It may feel heavier than it is because of the width of the seat and bodywork. Pasos are terrific bikes that can be had at reasonable prices.

If you are thinking about a Monster, maybe check with your local Duc dealers and take a look at a new 696, some areas have a glut, and the dealers may be highly motivated to sell them. I think there is a Ducati North America promotion going on with favorable financing rates at least.

[Fraser]

Kevin,

The Paso would not be so good as a first up bike after a long break. I had about 20 years between Ducatis, but before getting my current Paso had a Yamaha RZ350 to get me back on the road and brush up on the skills required. It all came back fairly quickly and after 12 months the RZ was out grown and time for something more appropriate. So, don't be in a rush, consider something smaller/cheaper first, then once back in the groove step upto a Paso with confidence.
Cheers,

Fraser.

[jcslocum]

A monster is probably a better noob bike. But a 750 should not be $7K. There are plenty of good delas out there so look at 620, 750 and 800 monsters.

A multi 620 might be good too. A bit higher tho.

A Paso for $2K is a good price but 50K miles is high. The service records would have to be very complete for me to but a bike with that mileage.

[hellogrish]

I`d say that Paso is not so hard one for the first bike
I have never ride any other bike, and almost 5 months is passing with my Paso.

yep, its realy quite heavy and a little bit difficult when backing (I`m 172cm high,
touch the ground with half of my feet and for the first sight the "radius for turning"
(god, my english is so bad is very small...

but anyway, as for the city, its a pleassure to ride through cars in jam

one thing that makes me feel bad is that I feel that my Paso deserves better owner.
mean, for that bike (old one) you should have more knowledge about all mechanic things.
but I keep learning...

guys do you service your bikes yourself?

[Finnpaso]

My short opinion:

-If You can make allkind of maintainings with tools, buy Paso (or some other Ducati)
-Paso 750 fits well to beginners also, as its not at all powerfull bike
-If driver is very small and light weight(like many girls are... ok, i know some.... ), then Paso is too heavy
-be prepared, that You have some problems to find spare parts, as many cant find anymore from Ducati dealer
-to Monster You can find much easier all spare parts
-You have to understand 100% 16" tire problems, what we have just now
-You can lower saddle surely about 2 cm that its then easier for short person. Lowering of whole bike You can now forget(not possible)
-Monster is better for 1. bike as its lighter and it handles "easier" as it have 17" wheels(no problem to find good tires)

But IF You love rare bikes AND You want to use huge amount of time with them AND solve allkind of problems AND You LOVE Tamburini's design, then You HAVE TO BUY Paso, no matter what modell. Anyway 907IE is surely best of all Pasos what have made and nowbody cant say, its not truth !!!! if someone say, that 907 is not best Paso, send @mail to me and i give plenty of response then.....

Ok, all this was only "small advice"

[persempre907]

but anyway, as for the city, its a pleassure to ride through cars in jam

I hate to ride my Pasos through the traffic jams.
Too heavy, too hot when you have to stop to the traffic light, too little steering angle...
Not a great bike for the downtown.
Ciao

[Finnpaso]

downtown.

Btw, Petula Clark's GREAT song from late 1964 ... one of best eve made !!!

Monster would be much better to city traffic....

[jcslocum]

downtown.

Btw, Petula Clark's GREAT song from late 1964 ... one of best eve made !!!

You guys are dating yourselves!!!

[higgy]

I hate to ride my Pasos through the traffic jams.
Too heavy, too hot when you have to stop to the traffic light, too little steering angle...
Not a great bike for the downtown.
Ciao[/quote]
Somebody call a whabulance
I find my 906 loves to run where ever it is.
Still would not recommend it as a bike to learn on,gets heavy fast on 16 inch, wide tires, and clutch gets heavy fast when you can't find neutral the first time. Needs some tlc often.
But like I said before if you know your way around a cycle a Paso is a great bike. jm2c

[persempre907]

Italian cities' roads are very different by the USA ones....
The Italian cities have very, very little roads.
So, I don't like to ride the Pasos in the Italian "downtowns".
Perhaps, if I was in the USA I'd think different.
Ciao