Ducati Monster

paulieeye

I'm thinking of moving from my 1st bike, drag star 250, to a Monster 620. I've heard a few things about them like they needed to be tuned regulary, get caught with wind blast a good bit because of the riding position so long journeys arn't ideal.

But I also heard that they're a great bike and great fun to drive.

Has anyone ever had one? Also what would be a good alternative?

Pigeon Reaper

Ducati need looking after and the electrics can give trouble. They're just not built for Irish weather with exposed connections etc. Engines need TLC and will give problems if not serviced on schedule. When they do run they're great. Some people have lots of problems with Ducati and others never miss a beat, it's probably up to how the rider looks after the bike. I'd love a Ducati and was looking at a monster a few years ago but I need something for everyday and not just nice weekends. Ended up with the SV650 instead. Wind blast is a problem on any naked bike and not just monsters. It won't stop you from riding it on long journeys but it will make long motorways uncomfortable. I find anything around 80-100kmph is fine on a naked bike.

madrab

you should ask sutty he went from a 250 dragstar to a ducatti monster

sutty

Ello, as said, I did go from a Dragstar 650 to a monster 620ie. While it was a easy adjustment to make I found there to be some electrical issues (mainly the clocks) on the 620. With water getting in and causing them to short or steam up. But this was later fixed in new model of the clocks. ducati dont do a 620 model anymore. So if you are looking to by new, you will be getting one of the new monsters. 695/696, both of them require less maintenance and are much better suited to the Irish weather. I'd recommend getting the fly screens, they do take a good bit of the wind off your chest. Making motorway travail much easier.

The monsters have a more forward leaning riding position than other naked bikes like the bandit and the hornet.

I'm on my second monster now, an 03 S4r (996). Which is much better suited to Irish conditions and also for the more husky gentleman
If your still on your prov, you will like the monsters restricted as they are only group 5 then.

paulieeye

sutty wrote: »

If your still on your prov, you will like the monsters restricted as they are only group 5 then.

I'm on a full now but only just, so gotta restrict her anyway. The one i was lookin at was '04 620ie. She's niiice!

schtat

I've got a Duke Monster and really like it but if it rains, the following occurs:
1. The throttle sticks (I've to fully clutch or face the consequences!)
2. The engine eventually cuts out

It's obviously caused by water but I've yet to find a solution. She's lovely but definitely not a bike built for Irish weather and I'm prob going to sell soon.

K

p.s. Looking for a Ducati mechanic in town...appreciate it if anyone could recommend one.

deecom

Have a Monster 620s lovely thing, never had any problems, just get it serviced and look after it and years of happy ownership ahead of you!

schtat

deecom wrote: »

Have a Monster 620s lovely thing, never had any problems, just get it serviced and look after it and years of happy ownership ahead of you!

...cheers Deecom - I take it you get your bike serviced at Ducati Dublin?

agent_smith

dont buy the restricted version. You have a full licence so what i would do is get a full power bike and get the dealer to manually restrict her. You wont benefit from the insurance discount with aon, but it will not affect your insurance premium eitehr way with quinn or carole nash. The reason i say to do this is because after two years you will want to de-restrict and you cannot affordably do this with the factory restriction if at all, thereby forcing you to trade in again if you want a full power bike.

murphaph

agent_smith wrote: »

dont buy the restricted version. You have a full licence so what i would do is get a full power bike and get the dealer to manually restrict her. You wont benefit from the insurance discount with aon, but it will not affect your insurance premium eitehr way with quinn or carole nash. The reason i say to do this is because after two years you will want to de-restrict and you cannot affordably do this with the factory restriction if at all, thereby forcing you to trade in again if you want a full power bike.

I thought Aon recognised factory restricted bikes, no?

Zascar

agent_smith wrote: »

dont buy the restricted version. You have a full licence so what i would do is get a full power bike and get the dealer to manually restrict her. You wont benefit from the insurance discount with aon, but it will not affect your insurance premium eitehr way with quinn or carole nash. The reason i say to do this is because after two years you will want to de-restrict and you cannot affordably do this with the factory restriction if at all, thereby forcing you to trade in again if you want a full power bike.

Very interesting thanks I didn't know that... Anyone know what's involved in getting a bike restricted and de-restricted? How much does it cost and who could do it?

I would absolutely LOVE a Ducati Monster. Can anyone tell me what the bike is like? I've heard some people say they are not the greatest bikes, more known for their cool reputation rather than being great bikes to ride etc - not a particularly fast or powerful for what they are... What do you think?

Georgey Burgess

Zascar wrote: »

Very interesting thanks I didn't know that... Anyone know what's involved in getting a bike restricted and de-restricted? How much does it cost and who could do it?

I would absolutely LOVE a Ducati Monster. Can anyone tell me what the bike is like? I've heard some people say they are not the greatest bikes, more known for their cool reputation rather than being great bikes to ride etc - not a particularly fast or powerful for what they are... What do you think?

I jumped from a vespa to a Ducati Monster almost 3 years ago when I got my full licence. I had my first one nicked about a year ago and went straight for another monster. Great looking bike and great fun.

I commute daily from Lucan to Sandyford and this bike is perfect. Longer commutes i.e. greater than 45mins can be hard work especially on a motorway but thats not what I bought it for.

with regard to maintenance, I get it services once a year and have very little trouble. anything that does trouble me is generally minor. servicing can be expensive particularly if you need a new chain and tyres and other consumables at the same time but I'm sure this is the same with all bikes.

The factory restriction removal is a minor operation. About a year after I got it, at my first service I asked them to remove the restriction. It didn't cost anything. It probably would have if I hadn't been getting a full service.

In my opinion the styling on the 620 is much much nicer than their latest model. The new model just hasn't grown on me yet.

If you are buying second hand try to get one with termi exhaust pipes as they make the bike sound amazing. My first monster had them but my current monster doesn't and I miss them.

Good Luck

Zascar

Yeah I saw the video on youtube for the termi exhaust, sounds amazing (but is it almost too loud?)

How much would it be to buy them and get them fitted onto a bike that is standard do you think?

paulieeye

agent_smith wrote: »

dont buy the restricted version. You have a full licence so what i would do is get a full power bike and get the dealer to manually restrict her. You wont benefit from the insurance discount with aon, but it will not affect your insurance premium eitehr way with quinn or carole nash. The reason i say to do this is because after two years you will want to de-restrict and you cannot affordably do this with the factory restriction if at all, thereby forcing you to trade in again if you want a full power bike.

It will be a restricted by the dealer alright, i'm wit quinn so wouldnt matter bout the premium anyway.

By the looks of the posts, if u keep her serviced things should be ok. I'm aware of the fault of ducati's but am willing to take the risk...is such a lovely lookin bike! if it all goes pear shaped hopefully i wont lose out on that much. So yeah think i'll go for it...now just to ring the bank manager!

paulieeye

Zascar wrote: »

Very interesting thanks I didn't know that... Anyone know what's involved in getting a bike restricted and de-restricted? How much does it cost and who could do it?

The guy i was talkin to said he could get it restricted for about €300. Only asked 1 person so not sure if it could be done for cheaper

Georgey Burgess

Link to excellent US based Ducati Monster Website with Message Board;

http://www.ducatimonster.org/

You will find answers to anything you ever wanted to know about Monsters here.

The following is a link to the UK Monster Owners Club

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/

Haven't used this one so not sure what its like.