Ducati Monster 695 good beginner bike?

I'm very interested in buying a motorcycle for small commutes around town and occasional pleasure cruising. I'm graduating college next summer and after I land a good job I would really like a motorcycle, preferably the Ducati Monster 695. It appears to be a very well built machine and backed by good service. This will be my first bike, I have only ridden Honda 250 dirtbikes in the past so this is my first street bike. I will be taking the MSF course before I even CONSIDER purchasing a bike. Is the Monster too much bike in your opinion? I'm not out to show off or do anything illegal, I just want to cruise and have some fun and save some gas money on trips around town. If this bike isn't suitable than are there any other sporty bikes that you could suggest? The only other bike I've seen that I like in my price range is the Yamaha YZF600 but I think that's a bit too much pep for me at this stage. I know this topic is beat to death but I couldn't find much on Ducati's. Thanks for helping!Also, I'm 6'1"and 170 lbs if that helps.

A High hp bike like that is not a good starter bike , i would start out with a honda 600 or 800 and get some experiance handling a street bike and the move you way up to a ducati

i'd say something like a yamaha fazer 600 perfect machineits got power and comfort especally if your tall like myself... they endlessly tuneable and great for touring...perfect all rounder

Are you on the turps Wayne? A Ducati 600-class Monster will struggle to produce 50hp... your little Honda'learner 600 or 800'will punch out well over 100.The air-cooled Ducati twin is a very suitable learner engine... it's basically the old 600 Pantah belt-drive engine of the early 80s, very sedate... the lack of steering lock (turn angle) will be more of an issue for a learner, requiring you to depend on leaning the bike and balance skills at low speed....but I bet your second bike won't be a Ducati. They may'appear well-built'but they are simply not as reliable as, well, any other bike on the road. They got better after Texas Pacific Group bought Ducati in about 2000 but expect the unexpected. I don't want to talk you out of getting one: your bike should make you feel good, but be aware no brand in the world has more'hype'than Ducati. Their 4-valve race bikes are cutting edge but they trade on them to sell some pretty old-tech air colled, 2-valve bikes.

Any Ducati will give you a great ride, including the ones that don't look that likely to, such as the Monster or the Multi. The fact is they'll handle as well as any of them, the difference being in riding position. As your background is scrambling, the Monster is a natural choice for you as you're already comfortable with that upright sitting posture. However, those bikes can sit quite low (and are therefore especially popular with women and smaller men), so at six-one, you may find yourself feeling oversized and awkward on one. Try one out for yourself -- most good Ducati dealers have demo rides available -- and if it suits you, fine, if not, then try the Multi. In either case, you're probably smart to stay away from an in-line four-cylinder machine for a bit as they are scary fast. Please be advised that Ducati servicing tends to be a bit pricey.