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Advice on purchasing a Ducati Monster

M

menG

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2013
Location
Castro Valley
Moto(s)
小绵羊
Hi, I'm currently in the process of selling my motorcycle and hopefully picking up a Ducati monster. I love my cbr600rr but in long commutes my back and butt aches. I don't ever think I'm riding the bike to its fullest potential since I rarely full throttle it since I take my girlfriend on it a lot and rarely hit the twisties since my schedule is cramped with classes.

So, right now I have a friend selling a 2011 ducati monster 696 ABS and I rode it around the block and fell it love with it. The bike has good torque, sounded amazing as well as being comfortable to ride. He put a Akrapovič slip on exhaust, power commander and battery tender cable. He put 19xx miles on it and is currently trying to get rid of it for $6,000 to me. Never been dropped etc. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Which models to avoid when I'm in the market to buy a ducati monster? I really want to get my hands on a s4r, s2r or a 796 because I love the single sided swing arm look. Currently looking at out of state bikes 50 state legal to bring back here.



Thanks all. Much appreciated.
 
Archimedes said:
Any Monster that starts with an S and ends with an R should be avoided, each for different reasons.
Click to expand...

Can you expound? I've always liked the S2R's and S4R's, though admittedly mostly for their sexy swingarms.

Why wouldn't we want them?
 
s4r has the 996/998 motor depending on which one you get. The s2r's are slightly more powerful aircooled motors. they're pretty reliable from what I've seen and I have a few friends with them whor eally don;t have problems outside of normal ducati issues. That said the 696 is still cheaper to run and own.
 
sinncere said:
Can you expound? I've always liked the S2R's and S4R's, though admittedly mostly for their sexy swingarms.

Why wouldn't we want them?
Click to expand...

S2R 1000's had serious fueling issues down low. There were all sorts of supposed solutions (FatDucs, etc.) but none of them ever really worked well. Beware the S2R 1000 seller claiming he/she solved this.

S2R 800's fueled great, they were just dogs. Great little run around bike, like a scooter, but no real power, unadjustable parts bin suspension, and weak brakes. I owned one and threw a lot of money at it trying to make it perform and it was a huge waste. Ok bike if all you want is a simple run around town bike.

S4R's and RS's are probably the best of the bunch, but I've heard horror stories about problems with the 4R's as well. I put the supposedly awesome S4R forks on my S2R 800 and they were the suck.
 
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cencalballer said:
s4r has the 996/998 motor depending on which one you get. The s2r's are slightly more powerful aircooled motors. they're pretty reliable from what I've seen and I have a few friends with them whor eally don;t have problems outside of normal ducati issues. That said the 696 is still cheaper to run and own.
Click to expand...

The S4R has the 998 liquid cooled motor. The S4RS has the 999 liquid cooled motor. And the S2R comes in two choices; 800cc air/oil cooled motor with wet clutch or 1,000cc with dry clutch. The 696 air cooled motor with dual sided swing arm is the equivalent of the 620 and 695 it replaces.
 
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$6K for a clean 2011 696 with 1900 miles, Akra, and ABS? Jump on that, bro. You are getting a deal.

I have an 09 696 and it is a great bike, but not without its shortcomings and limitations, like every bike. A couple stupid design features for sure. But a lot of good looks and performance for the $$$.

Per your post, I'm not sure it would be a great 2 up bike, but perhaps others can weigh in on this -- I've never had a passenger on that one. Certainly better than most 600cc sportbikes I'll wager.
 
menG said:
Hi, I'm currently in the process of selling my motorcycle and hopefully picking up a Ducati monster. I love my cbr600rr but in long commutes my back and butt aches. I don't ever think I'm riding the bike to its fullest potential since I rarely full throttle it since I take my girlfriend on it a lot and rarely hit the twisties since my schedule is cramped with classes.

So, right now I have a friend selling a 2011 ducati monster 696 ABS and I rode it around the block and fell it love with it. The bike has good torque, sounded amazing as well as being comfortable to ride. He put a Akrapovič slip on exhaust, power commander and battery tender cable. He put 19xx miles on it and is currently trying to get rid of it for $6,000 to me. Never been dropped etc. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Which models to avoid when I'm in the market to buy a ducati monster? I really want to get my hands on a s4r, s2r or a 796 because I love the single sided swing arm look. Currently looking at out of state bikes 50 state legal to bring back here.



Thanks all. Much appreciated.
Click to expand...

OP. The 696 is a good bike for getting around town. But it's not enough power to get around with your girlfriend on back at freeway speeds. I would go with a 796 for that matter. BTW: The 696 is nowhere near comparable to a "CBR 600RR." So you might not like it after a few months. I also think that $6,000 is too much for a 696. I just sold a 999 in 'like new condition' with 5K miles for $7,000. Just my... :2cents
 
MCCRASH said:
$6K for a clean 2011 696 with 1900 miles, Akra, and ABS? Jump on that, bro. You are getting a deal.

I have an 09 696 and it is a great bike, but not without its shortcomings and limitations, like every bike. A couple stupid design features for sure. But a lot of good looks and performance for the $$$.

Per your post, I'm not sure it would be a great 2 up bike, but perhaps others can weigh in on this -- I've never had a passenger on that one. Certainly better than most 600cc sportbikes I'll wager.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I thought it was a good deal as well, but I rode it around and it just doesn't feel that fast. It sounds amazing with the exhaust and everything but it feels like it's missing something.
 
Yo!Joe!!! said:
OP. The 696 is a good bike for getting around town. But it's not enough power to get around with your girlfriend on back at freeway speeds. I would go with a 796 for that matter. BTW: The 696 is nowhere near comparable to a "CBR 600RR." So you might not like it after a few months. I also think that $6,000 is too much for a 696. I just sold a 999 in 'like new condition' with 5K miles for $7,000. Just my... :2cents
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I rode on his ducati and it feels like it revs up really fast, feels like I'm constantly shifting. Maybe I just got use to the gearing on my cbr haha. I love my CBR but half the time I'm just riding to class and picking up my girlfriend on it. The other half I'm commuting back to the bay area from Davis and it is not comfortable to ride. Maybe I'll look into changing the seat. Thanks for your advice.
 
Archimedes said:
S2R 1000's had serious fueling issues down low. There were all sorts of supposed solutions (FatDucs, etc.) but none of them ever really worked well. Beware the S2R 1000 seller claiming he/she solved this.

S2R 800's fueled great, they were just dogs. Great little run around bike, like a scooter, but no real power, unadjustable parts bin suspension, and weak brakes. I owned one and threw a lot of money at it trying to make it perform and it was a huge waste. Ok bike if all you want is a simple run around town bike.

S4R's and RS's are probably the best of the bunch, but I've heard horror stories about problems with the 4R's as well. I put the supposedly awesome S4R forks on my S2R 800 and they were the suck.
Click to expand...

I searched up old threads before posting this one and there were a bunch of people complaining about how there is no power under 4k. When I rode around on his 696 I didn't really notice, maybe I just didnt ride long enough haha. Thanks for the input
 
Yo!Joe!!! said:
OP. The 696 is a good bike for getting around town. But it's not enough power to get around with your girlfriend on back at freeway speeds. I would go with a 796 for that matter.
BTW: The 696 is nowhere near comparable to a "CBR 600RR." So you might not like it after a few months. I also think that $6,000 is too much for a 696. I just sold a 999 in 'like new condition' with 5K miles for $7,000. Just my... :2cents
Click to expand...

I agree with Joe about the power 2 up -- I just can't see it, but then again the torque is good so not sure it will be worse than your current bike. The 796 is a far sexier bike too.

I have a 600 and the power is just different and not necessarily better. The 696, in handling and power, is more fun FOR ME in the mountains on very twisty roads like Page Mill, Pescadero, and Alpine, as well as in city riding. The 600 kills at the track of course, is great fun too on more open twisty roads like 9 or Skyline, and much much better on the freeway.

Haven't been keeping up with prices but I would be really surprised if anyone has closed a deal on a similar mileage 696 ABS for less than $6500. That said, maybe the Monster redesign is hurting demand?
 
Archimedes said:
S2R 1000's had serious fueling issues down low. There were all sorts of supposed solutions (FatDucs, etc.) but none of them ever really worked well. Beware the S2R 1000 seller claiming he/she solved this.

S2R 800's fueled great, they were just dogs. Great little run around bike, like a scooter, but no real power, unadjustable parts bin suspension, and weak brakes. I owned one and threw a lot of money at it trying to make it perform and it was a huge waste. Ok bike if all you want is a simple run around town bike.

S4R's and RS's are probably the best of the bunch, but I've heard horror stories about problems with the 4R's as well. I put the supposedly awesome S4R forks on my S2R 800 and they were the suck.
Click to expand...

Uh - why didn't you get a Superbike to begin with? I would assume that if suspension and low end smoothness were OP's top priorities he would keep the CBR.

OP: Since you say you're in love with the Monster, I would pass on the 696 and look for an S2R 1000 since top end power is not imperative. It has the dual spark engine and massive aftermarket support. But long commutes on a Monster aren't going to be that much better than a CBR, nor will 2up.
 
menG said:
I rode on his ducati and it feels like it revs up really fast, feels like I'm constantly shifting. Maybe I just got use to the gearing on my cbr haha. I love my CBR but half the time I'm just riding to class and picking up my girlfriend on it. The other half I'm commuting back to the bay area from Davis and it is not comfortable to ride. Maybe I'll look into changing the seat. Thanks for your advice.
Click to expand...

The 696 has some good torque. All monster have that L-twin torque that we all like them for. So you won't be disappointed in that area. You can be in the wrong gear during a turn and still pull out of it ok. That's the beauty of it. I'm buying my girlfriend a 696 when I come home, so she can finally move up from her scooter. BTW: This Monster 696 comes with the Rear: 160/60 17" and Front: 120/60 17" tyres. All bigger Monsters come with Rear: 180/55 17" and Front: 120/70 17" tyres. Which makes a huge difference in handling. Just FYI. :ride
 
One more thin: If you plan on commuting with it, don't touch the exhaust. Leave it stock! Your ears will thank you for it. Don't ask me how I know. ;)
 
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