Ducati Monster?

[Finesse]

does anyone have one?

I've got my eye on the new 696 but I wouldn't be able to get it anytime soon. I found a 2004 620 IE with 20k miles on craigslist for $2k that I might go look at next week. I'd have to sell my ninja to buy it.

I think this would be a good bike for me because it's small and lightweight - low seat height, V twin engine is supposed to 'pull like a train' instead of 'launch like a rocket'... I'm not a speed freak, but for the highway riding and country roads, a little more stability and 'easy breathing' from the bike would be nice. I want something that handles and rides like the ninja 250 but just has more power. definitely not a supersport.

the biggest problem for me with this bike I think would be the expense of owning it. so I'd like to find a monster owner and ask them how much money they have to put into it for routine things. also, are they easy to work on yourself or is an oil change something you need to go to the dealer for? I'm on a shoestring budget and can't afford to drop a few hundred every time it needs a minor fix. in this case my second choice would be the cbf500 or suzuki gs500f. reliability and abundance of parts are important to me - if a part breaks on my ninja I'm used to going on ebay and getting a replacement for 1/2 the cost I thought I would. I'll be realistic with a faster bike but I don't want to be in the poor house if I have to buy a new clutch cable or something.

I hear the handling is good, it's nimble and small, the brembo brakes are excellent and it has plenty of low-end torque.

so am I right about any or all of these things? I've been reading about it and I went to go sit on the '13 696 but these things can't tell me as much as riding one, which I haven't yet...

2cents anyone? is the ducati worth chasing?

[alex.s]

sv650 is like a ducati monster but cheap and reliable.

[alex.s]

if it's the looks you're after check out the brutus

[Finesse]

I just don't like the look and style of those... bit heavier, bit longer.. if anything I would go for a naked gs 500. but I have a buddy with an sv650, maybe I can ride his. how about the svf 650 gladius... kinda hot

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Finesse

I just don't like the look and style of those... bit heavier, bit longer.. if anything I would go for a naked gs 500. but I have a buddy with an sv650, maybe I can ride his. how about the svf 650 gladius... kinda hot

I've got a naked SV650, and like it a lot. The GS500e is about the same weight, with significantly less power, but cheaper too.

The Gladius has changed recently, and if you like the look I think you could find an original model for cheap. They didn't go over that well.

Ducati Monsters are OK, but you will pay a lot more initially and for insurance because "it's a Ducati".I've ridden an older one, and wasn't impressed.

[alex.s]

i meant gladius not brutus. damn roman names.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Finesse

I just don't like the look and style of those... bit heavier, bit longer.. if anything I would go for a naked gs 500. but I have a buddy with an sv650, maybe I can ride his. how about the svf 650 gladius... kinda hot

gs500 is a ****** bike

[Finesse]

I heard the gladius has shite brakes...

I hate that 'it's a ducati' mentality.. if another manufacturer made a 600-ish bike with a low seat height, light weight, easy handling and it wasn't a ducati, I'd say sign me up... but that's just such a good little package for a small rider.

why's the gs500 a ****** bike?

[astricklin]

I would suggest that you do a little bit of research on the monster if it is something that you really want. Look into the maintenance schedule and see when the next valve adjustment is and timing belt change. Also does the owner have any maintenance records. If they don't, then assume that nothing other than oil changes have been performed (if even that). Call the Ducati dealer(s) in your area and price the service items that would need performed. If you have 5 or 10 thousand miles till the next major service, how long will it be until you reach that point? 6 months, a year, 3 years? You could possibly have the time to save up for the service. Also, you can use missed service in the price negotiation.

[Finesse]

good looks, thanks!

[DCMoney]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Snip

Ducati Monsters are OK, but you will pay a lot more initially and for insurance because "it's a Ducati".I've ridden an older one, and wasn't impressed.

How much more is your Ducati's insurance compared to your other bikes?

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by DCMoney

How much more is your Ducati's insurance compared to your other bikes?

I don't have a Ducati, but it's a pretty good bet that you will pay more for insurance than a similar Suzuki.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Finesse

I heard the gladius has shite brakes...

I hate that 'it's a ducati' mentality.. if another manufacturer made a 600-ish bike with a low seat height, light weight, easy handling and it wasn't a ducati, I'd say sign me up... but that's just such a good little package for a small rider.

why's the gs500 a ****** bike?

I don't think so. They have the same brakes as the SV, I'm pretty sure, which were fine. The weak spot on the SV is the suspension, not the brakes, and I'm sure the Gladius is similar if not the same.

A GS is a bit overweight and under powered for the most part, but I've always liked the way the aircooled engine looks...

[250rr]

Are you willing to learn to do your own maintenance?

[Finesse]

of course!

[ForceofWill]

If you're gonna go new get the 796. Single swing arm mmmmm.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

If you're gonna go new get the 796. Single swing arm mmmmm.

here's a better bike:
http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cb1000r.aspx

[Finesse]

whoaaaa getting carried away are we?

I like the double sided swing arm

[kdogg2077]

From what I've read the maintenance costs are more than a jap bike but not ridiculously so. Apparently Ducati has been making their bike go longer without maintenance too.

However, if you ever drop the bike the cost for new parts is supposed to be enough to make grown men cry.

[Finesse]

yeah, realistically I'm not in a position to own a bike like that. if you can't take care of it properly, maybe you shouldn't have it in the first place...

then again, if you really want something and you find a way to snatch it up, power to you, right?

the price tag is keeping me well away, but this one for $2000 is bringing it within my reach and thats the only reason I'm looking around again. I'm traveling in May for 2 months, and I have no idea where I'll be after that so it's probably a better idea to hang onto my ninja and save for the monster and get it wherever I end up

[alex.s]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/4379482172.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/4364926606.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...352757708.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...352003924.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bn...377993356.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...294873979.html

[Finesse]

those are all 3000 miles away

[alex.s]

oh, didn't see "DC"

[mania]

I do not own one but they are very popular here because for the price they offer a lot. The price is decent here because they are built here ( 795 Monster )

From what I hear from others here it is a good bike.
Good handling & like you mentioned fairly low seat height which Asians here like.
Plus of course they get the Ducati name/charm etc.

Downsides are of course maintenance is quite a bit higher just due to brand & Desmodromically actuated valve style.
Even here where labor is inexpensive Ducati service is high if your coming off a
Asian brand like Kawasaki, Honda,Yamaha etc. It is noticeably higher
If I were you I would check those things for your locale
That price you mention is super cheap though so maybe not as much of an issue?

The only other downside I have heard is for some it can get hot in slow moving traffic & is geared pretty high stock.

[Kscreations08]

Just a personal opinion: The Ducati Diavel is smoking gorgeous

[Kevin1956]

A couple guys here in my hometown, Stockton California, were purchasing brand new Ducati Monters and transforming them into dual sports, then reselling them. About 20 were built. They called them a "Terra Mostro", Italian for Earth Monster. This is a preview of a documentary about one of their customers, who rode his from L.A. to Pike's Peak, raced it, won The Pike's Peak Challenge, then rode it home! http://youtu.be/G-nUxGx1weI

[Finesse]

^that is absolutely awesome. I could do without the front fender though.

the diavel isnt my style really, I'm 100% for the 696 or 620ie

[Kevin1956]

Very awesome, but the modifications almost doubled the price of the original bike. They worked very well, plenty of stump pulling power. They were spending lots of time on the project and weren't making much, if any, money. Lots of brand new stock parts, forks, rear suspension, wheels etc left over. Anybody needing that stuff can find it on eBay! LOL!

[Business810]

I've had my '02 750sie for ~6k miles and it hasn't needed anything more than the basics - oil, tires, new battery, etc. The service intervals are expensive if you pay a dealer (the 12k service, valves and timing belt, was $400 iirc), but easy to learn. I plan to do the upcoming 18k service myself.

Getting one with good service records is important - I knew the previous owner and have full records since it was brand new. You might not get that if you only have $2k to spend.

Insurance costs about $20 more a year than my ninjette did, so a negligible difference there. I think insurance companies classify the monster as a standard rather than a sportbike.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Business810

Insurance costs about $20 more a year than my ninjette did, so a negligible difference there. I think insurance companies classify the monster as a standard rather than a sportbike.

My company thinks a SV650 is a sport bike.

[Sirref]

A solid option is the ducati monster 659
http://www.ducati.com.au/bikes/monst...egal_/index.do
^ yes that link is the AU link but it was in the states for a few years. One of my former co-workers has one and he loves it. It's not the quickest but it's faster than most of the 650 class bikes and looks sick too. Not to mention if you can find one it's fairly inexpensive, in general not just for a ducati.

[Finesse]

^that's perfect.

thanks for all the info

[Business810]

Originally Posted by jkv45

My company thinks a SV650 is a sport bike.

I should say, at least my company (geico) considers my 750 a standard. Sorry to hear that's not the case for others. Perhaps a reason to shop around?

[KawiKid860]

I wouldn't buy a $2,000 Ducati... sounds like problems.

[Finesse]

the guy hasn't been replying anyway. I'm just gonna keep sulking in my bitterbrokeness

[caps]

A lot of misinformation here.... I have a 2012 696 and it's a great little bike. The insurance is cheaper then my R6, the maintenance is extremely similar, ntervals, and the only maintenance that will require the dealer is valves (special tools, special valves,etc). The older ones (like the $2K one you posted) have horribly expensive parts/maintenance (I just replaced a fuel pump on one to the tune of $1300).

Personally I wouldn't look at the older ones at all. Give it a year or two and you will have spent the same.

[ForceofWill]

Originally Posted by caps

A lot of misinformation here.... I have a 2012 696 and it's a great little bike. The insurance is cheaper then my R6, the maintenance is extremely similar, ntervals, and the only maintenance that will require the dealer is valves (special tools, special valves,etc). The older ones (like the $2K one you posted) have horribly expensive parts/maintenance (I just replaced a fuel pump on one to the tune of $1300).

Personally I wouldn't look at the older ones at all. Give it a year or two and you will have spent the same.

How's the tank swell?

[caps]

Originally Posted by ForceofWill

How's the tank swell?

Not a problem. Do some research, Ducati settled a suit years ago. Any monster with that problem gets a free replacement tank with, it without a warranty.

[kdogg2077]

True, but from what I read at one point the replacement tanks can develop the same swelling problem over time. They didn't fix the problem. The new tank just buys time.

That said, not every bike seems to have this problem. There are plenty of happy monster owners on the internet.

[caps]

Originally Posted by kdogg2077

True, but from what I read at one point the replacement tanks can develop the same swelling problem over time. They didn't fix the problem. The new tank just buys time.

That said, not every bike seems to have this problem. There are plenty of happy monster owners on the internet.

Quality of gas is a huge thing. Also, the tanks don't permanently swell. Let them dry out and they go back to their original size/shape.