ducati monster as a first bike?

[RichieZ]

Mmm so fresh off of my MSF and getting my M1 i'm on the lookout for a first bike.

I want honest opinions, could I get something like an older monster 620 as a first bike? Linear power delivery, great balance sounds good to me.

If this is a stupid idea please feel free to say so, I certainly don't want to get a 600 supersport but this seems doable.

Older monsters aren't much more than say a SV650.

Yes I am ok with dropping it, and would certainly add frame sliders.

 

[RiDE]

I'm pretty sure you'll get the obligatory get a Ninja 250 response in here sooner or later, that said, I think you could do worse. It probably won't be the cheapest ownership experience though.

My MSF teacher told us to get whatever bike we wanted once we pass.

 

[jaha2000]

Ownership is not cheap. The belt drive on the cams is very needy.

That being said, i had one for a while, sold it and wish i still had it. Its a blast to ride, comfy and can still shred in the corners a bit. Plus the sound... Oh the sound.....

 

[DivideBYZero]

Plus the sound... Oh the sound.....

This, apart from the clatter of the dry clutch at idle.

 

[halik]

How much do you weigh? The only thing that comes us is the cost of ownership, desmo adjustment will kill your wallet.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I'm one of the biggest proponents of starting out on small bikes, and imo a monster 620 would be just fine.

Maintenance isn't all *that* bad IMHO... The real key is finding a good smaller Duc shop that will help you out for cheap.

The superbikes (916+, 748+) have very expensive maintenance. The 1098 was 'better' but the 7k service is still $$$$$. The monsters really aren't all that bad service wise.



One problem I've found with Ducs is that there aren't that many shops that can service them. I recommend visiting all the shops and asking about the 7 and 15k service charges before buying the bike.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

This, apart from the clatter of the dry clutch at idle.

I've heard literally 1000's of bikes, from racebikes to streetfighters and everything inbetween. A 1098 with termi's is seriously the most... chilling... visceral.. bike I've ever heard. It's much better than even a 998 or 999 series bike.. There is no youtube video or speaker combination that can even remotely duplicate it.


Edit:

And I agree, dry clutches sound like crap... like a bunch of bolts being shaken in a coffee can...

 

[jaha2000]

i used to get the hey, something sounds like its loose on your bike all the time at stop lights.

The service here was 750 bucks, but like you said, 1 shop. What choice did i have?
The other problem is parts. Its 2 weeks to get ANYTHING simple, and a month plus for big or stuff that does not break often.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a great bike but, like others have said, maintenance will cost you more. Still, there is just something about a Ducati that other bikes don't have. My next bike will likely be a Ducati Monster 1100 S...or an S4R if I can find one on the used market (this is the liquid cooled engine they used in their superbikes a few years back and makes 130hp). I've ridden both and they are fantastic fun.

 

[RichieZ]

How much do you weigh? The only thing that comes us is the cost of ownership, desmo adjustment will kill your wallet.

185. Cost of ownership isn't that much of a concern as its for fun and occasional commuting, plus my daily is a Porsche so I'm used to bending over for service.

I'm one of the biggest proponents of starting out on small bikes, and imo a monster 620 would be just fine.

Maintenance isn't all *that* bad IMHO... The real key is finding a good smaller Duc shop that will help you out for cheap.

The superbikes (916+, 748+) have very expensive maintenance. The 1098 was 'better' but the 7k service is still $$$$$. The monsters really aren't all that bad service wise.



One problem I've found with Ducs is that there aren't that many shops that can service them. I recommend visiting all the shops and asking about the 7 and 15k service charges before buying the bike.

Being in silicon valley there are a bunch of indies, and looking out into our parking lot I see a 848, 1100s, 749 and a 620. I'm sure the coworkers can give me some reccos.

It's a great bike but, like others have said, maintenance will cost you more. Still, there is just something about a Ducati that other bikes don't have. My next bike will likely be a Ducati Monster 1100 S...or an S4R if I can find one on the used market (this is the liquid cooled engine they used in their superbikes a few years back and makes 130hp). I've ridden both and they are fantastic fun.

I've been thinking about a 696, the prices aren't too bad and the newer design is supposed to be much easier on the wallet with regards to service. Its kind of a shame that it doesn't have a dry clutch, but i guess thats part of why its cheaper to service. And that pearl white is color is gorgeous!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It's a great bike but, like others have said, maintenance will cost you more. Still, there is just something about a Ducati that other bikes don't have. My next bike will likely be a Ducati Monster 1100 S...or an S4R if I can find one on the used market (this is the liquid cooled engine they used in their superbikes a few years back and makes 130hp). I've ridden both and they are fantastic fun.

The S4R is a BEAST. Motor straight from a 999 IIRC. I love that thing, although if I were gonna go nekkid exotic it'd have to be a Tuono.

I totally agree with 'something about a Ducati'.. My 1098 was the best bike I've ever owned.. >7k miles in one year though, so I sold it before I racked up the miles. If I found a decent one on the cheap that was dropped I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

i used to get the hey, something sounds like its loose on your bike all the time at stop lights.

The service here was 750 bucks, but like you said, 1 shop. What choice did i have?
The other problem is parts. Its 2 weeks to get ANYTHING simple, and a month plus for big or stuff that does not break often.

My 1098 had Termi's, I left the cover stock and it wasn't all that noticeable.. Every now and then I'd get a gearhead that would notice something didn't sound quite right but it wasn't too bad.

 

[scott916]

I've heard literally 1000's of bikes, from racebikes to streetfighters and everything inbetween. A 1098 with termi's is seriously the most... chilling... visceral.. bike I've ever heard. It's much better than even a 998 or 999 series bike.. There is no youtube video or speaker combination that can even remotely duplicate it.

Oh hell yes. There's a guy around here with a black 1098S and Termi's that I hear go by all the time, sounds like pure sex. I can always tell it's him, even from over a block away. The only thing that gives me a larger hard-on than that is the guy who runs the dope front background check business when he drives his TechArt 911 Turbo.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oh hell yes. There's a guy around here with a black 1098S and Termi's that I hear go by all the time, sounds like pure sex. I can always tell it's him, even from over a block away. The only thing that gives me a larger hard-on than that is the guy who runs the dope front background check business when he drives his TechArt 911 Turbo.

Dude...that's gay.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've been thinking about a 696, the prices aren't too bad and the newer design is supposed to be much easier on the wallet with regards to service. Its kind of a shame that it doesn't have a dry clutch, but i guess thats part of why its cheaper to service. And that pearl white is color is gorgeous!

696 is a great bike. I would look on the used market though as those bikes don't hold their value well. If you live in a major metropolitan area it shouldn't be too hard to find a low mileage 2009 in that white color. I see them all the time around here for around $6-7k.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/1795604640.html

 

[SpatiallyAware]

696 is a great bike. I would look on the used market though as those bikes don't hold their value well. If you live in a major metropolitan area it shouldn't be too hard to find a low mileage 2009 in that white color. I see them all the time around here for around $6-7k.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/1795604640.html

Personally I'm a sucker for the 800 S2R's... They're dirt cheap and a blast to ride...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Personally I'm a sucker for the 800 S2R's... They're dirt cheap and a blast to ride...

That bike is no quicker than my SV though. I'll pass.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That bike is no quicker than my SV though. I'll pass.

Compared to a 696? I'd have guessed the S2R was faster than a 696, they're certainly close to an SV... If you're going for the quickness then none of these bikes are what you're looking for.


After going through a ton of bikes over many years I've learned that fun isn't about having absolute power..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Compared to a 696? I'd have guessed the S2R was faster than a 696, they're certainly close to an SV... If you're going for the quickness then none of these bikes are what you're looking for.

After going through a ton of bikes over many years I've learned that fun isn't about having absolute power..

Which is why I want the 1100 S. It has more power, more torque and is lightweight and has good looks. It is not crazy fast but it will lift the front wheel with ease.

I'm looking for fun...but I'm also looking for more power. The point is I already have a fun bike that costs far less than the Monster 696. I'm not going to go out and buy a bike that makes the same power and weighs about the same as the bike I have now...I already have that bike.

Hell, if I wanted ultimate power I'd buy a liter bike or the new BMW R1000SS which will do the 1/4 mile in under 10 seconds at 156mph. That's not what I want though.

BTW-The S2R 800cc bike makes 77hp, the new 696 makes 80hp. I know, it's not all about hp but Ducati's newer bikes are quite a bit better than some of their older models.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Which is why I want the 1100 S. It has more power, more torque and is lightweight and has good looks. It is not crazy fast but it will lift the front wheel with ease.

I'm looking for fun...but I'm also looking for more power. The point is I already have a fun bike that costs far less than the Monster 696. I'm not going to go out and buy a bike that makes the same power and weighs about the same as the bike I have now...I already have that bike.

Hell, if I wanted ultimate power I'd buy a liter bike or the new BMW R1000SS which will do the 1/4 mile in under 10 seconds at 156mph. That's not what I want though.

BTW-The S2R 800cc bike makes 77hp, the new 696 makes 80hp. I know, it's not all about hp but Ducati's newer bikes are quite a bit better than some of their older models.

RichieZ said he likes the 696, you agreed, I gave my input as liking the S2R (mainly because it's a "true" trellis frame monster, I'm not a fan of the newer designs other than the nifty tank intakes)... Has nothing to do with your SV


IMHO you've probably outgrown the SV. It was your first bike right? I'd sell it and get a 600 supersport for awhile, then get a liter.. I've had a ton of fun riding a bike for a year or so and moving on to something else..

 

[JulesMaximus]

RichieZ said he likes the 696, you agreed, I gave my input as liking the S2R (mainly because it's a "true" trellis frame monster, I'm not a fan of the newer designs other than the nifty tank intakes)... Has nothing to do with your SV

IMHO you've probably outgrown the SV. It was your first bike right? I'd sell it and get a 600 supersport for awhile, then get a liter.. I've had a ton of fun riding a bike for a year or so and moving on to something else..

You're right. I mentioned that I wanted the 1100 S or S4R earlier in the thread so I guess I was thinking about that when you mentioned the S2R. My bad.

No, the SV wasn't my first bike. I've ridden 600cc supersports and I'm not interested in them either.