[vash]

the duck 620 is a turd. it was introduced really to get the entry level folks addicted to ducatis. in reality, a suzuki s650 (?)v would smoke you through the twisties. i am in agreement with motion. a 748 gives me a stiffy. caution, i almost bought a 748R on credit, but for some reason or another my insurance company wouldnt insure that bike. this was a few years ago. i didnt explore it anymore, so i dont know crap. i didnt need the monthly payments. i basically shelved my motorcycle purchase until i can get my car sorted out. i friggen love both. i have been destroyed in motorcycle accidents, but i still want one. the car is safer. but nothing accelerates like a bike, that you can feel. my next purchase will be the new street going twin by KTM, the superduke 99something, then a commuter bike like a honda VFR, my 911, life will be good. dont discount the japanese 600's, in the right hands, on real life roads, the even the big ducatis wont keep up. and VERY GOOD bang for the buck.

cliff
to answer your question, i would get a japbike 600 (swiss watch reliable), think R6 for 6 thousand used, and that would leave you enough $ to slowly tinker with the 911. the japanese bike crowd is totally slave to "latest and greatest" therefore, great used bikes are readily advailable, for cheap.