Advice on purchasing a Ducati Monster

[corndog67]

The 696 has 80 hp. The DRZ has 34 hp. I have a full exhaust system on mine plus some other mods, so let's be generous and say 40 hp. There is absolutely no way that an 80 hp bike has too little power for riding with a passenger, if a 40 hp bike can do it fine.

80hp on a dyno, or 80 magical horsepower from the advertising department?

I just looked it up. 66-70. Real HP.

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

The 696 has 80 hp. The DRZ has 34 hp. I have a full exhaust system on mine plus some other mods, so let's be generous and say 40 hp. There is absolutely no way that an 80 hp bike has too little power for riding with a passenger, if a 40 hp bike can do it fine.

The Monster is heavier than your DRZ, especially with OEM exhaust, an extra cylinder and three spoke cast aluminum wheels.

 

[CABilly]

Can't go wrong with the OG M900.

But then, I'm biased

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

Gotta love tHe barf. OP comes here asking for advise on a Monster. And others want to chime in about "their Speed triple, get a Tuono, get an SV-6fitty, DRZ, it's gey..." For Christ's sake! The guy wants a Monster. Let the guy get his Monster..!

 

[corndog67]

Gotta love tHe barf. OP comes here asking for advise on a Monster. And others want to chime in about "their Speed triple, get a Tuono, get an SV-6fitty, DRZ, it's gey..." For Christ's sake! The guy wants a Monster. Let the guy get his Monster..!

S4rs. Top of the evolutionary line right there.

 

[ilikefood]

The Monster is heavier than your DRZ, especially with OEM exhaust, an extra cylinder and three spoke cast aluminum wheels.

Yes, it's heavier, but not by enough to offset the difference in power. The 696 weighs about 410 lbs wet, and my DRZ weighs about 320 lbs wet. I weigh 185, passenger weighs 120, and let's add 40 lbs for gear. That's a total weight of 755 for the Monster and 665 for the DRZ. With 66 hp for the Monster and 40 hp for the DRZ, the Monster carries 11.4 lbs per hp, and the DRZ carries 16.6 lbs per hp. Monster still wins.

 

[knightofni]

On topic...
I rode my monster (02 M750) everywhere. And I mean everywhere. It was my sole transportation for about 5 years. I couldn't keep up with the inline 4's in the open, but it was stellar everywhere else. Maintenance will be learned if you choose to keep the monster for very long.
Commuting-I'm 6'2" and while the bike might be a bit cramped it did the job splendidly. As well as my Sprint 1050 did. No, it won't have the best suspension as it's not their top of the line bike.
Your girlfriend will most likely not enjoy being on the back.
You can do long rides on anything, you just have to get used to it.
That's my opinion on the matter... now back to hijinks.

That's because the of the emasculating effects of a Ducati. You now seem less threatening, and they want to ask for your advice on shoes.

You have no idea how good I am at shoe shopping. You'll be amazed.

 

[skongara]

The street/speed triples might be a great option like some others have mentioned.

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

Yes, it's heavier, but not by enough to offset the difference in power. The 696 weighs about 410 lbs wet, and my DRZ weighs about 320 lbs wet. I weigh 185, passenger weighs 120, and let's add 40 lbs for gear. That's a total weight of 755 for the Monster and 665 for the DRZ. With 66 hp for the Monster and 40 hp for the DRZ, the Monster carries 11.4 lbs per hp, and the DRZ carries 16.6 lbs per hp. Monster still wins.

Dude. You're comparing a dirt bike with street tyres, to a small displacement sport touring bike with a two cylinder air cooled engine. WTF?

 

[ilikefood]

Dude. You're comparing a dirt bike with street tyres, to a small displacement sport touring bike with a two cylinder air cooled engine. WTF?

I'm comparing them because someone said that the 696 doesn't have enough power for riding with a passenger at freeway speeds. I'm saying that my DRZ can carry me + a passenger at freeway speeds just fine, so it's crazy to think that the 696 (which has a lot more power) is underpowered for two-up riding.

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

I'm comparing them because someone said that the 696 doesn't have enough power for riding with a passenger at freeway speeds. I'm saying that my DRZ can carry me + a passenger at freeway speeds just fine, so it's crazy to think that the 696 (which has a lot more power) is underpowered for two-up riding.

Of course it's got plenty of power if you know how to wring it. But there are better choices. And there are many Monsters to choose from. Stop being so overly technical over a bike YOU admit to have never ridden. I gave a ride to a big booty sugar mama on a 620 years ago and it was kind of a struggle compared to my other bikes. You mean to tell me you can't tell the difference between different bikes?

 

[aram]

Of course it's got plenty of power if you know how to wring it. But there are better choices. And there are many Monsters to choose from. Stop being so overly technical over a bike YOU admit to have never ridden. I gave a ride to a big booty sugar mama on a 620 years ago and it was kind of a struggle compared to my other bikes. You mean to tell me you can't tell the difference between different bikes?

My friend used to ride 2 up with his old gen ninja 250 just fine. You guys saying a monster can't ride 2-up are being ridiculous. Of course a monster won't be like a 1000cc bike when 2-up but it'll be fine.

I think if the OP is going to be going back and forth to Davis and doing a lot of freeway that a bike with at least a half fairing is a much better choice than anything naked though.

 

[Yo!Joe!!!]

My friend used to ride 2 up with his old gen ninja 250 just fine. You guys saying a monster can't ride 2-up are being ridiculous. Of course a monster won't be like a 1000cc bike when 2-up but it'll be fine.

I think if the OP is going to be going back and forth to Davis and doing a lot of freeway that a bike with at least a half fairing is a much better choice than anything naked though.

The bold part is what I'm trying to say. But keep in mind that the OP is coming over from a CBR 600RR. So of course a 696 will seem underpowered for what he is used to. That is all I'm trying to say. You guys are too much...

 

[DucatiHoney]

Still a girlie bike, dude. PSA: Don't let your penis fall off. Don't buy a Ducati.

 

[aram]

Still a girlie bike, dude. PSA: Don't let your penis fall off. Don't buy a Ducati.

Yup..


This?

or this?

 

[littlebeast]

Any Monster that starts with an S and ends with an R should be avoided, each for different reasons.

s4rs is the only 'monster' worthy of the name. (apologies to the red witch - i will make it up to you babe). not sure if it meets your silly criteria, but is fact nevertheless.

 

[menG]

OP, how long is your commute and how frequently will you be commuting?

Just trying to separate the bike you want vs. the bike you "need", or better suited to the task as it were.

I go head back to Fremont from Davis every 2 weeks. I usually go back during traffic hours just to avoid laying on the tank the whole way.

 

[menG]

Thanks for the replies guys. I read all the comments and had a great read .

I want a s4rs but damn do those things cost a lot. Used ones with 10k miles go for $10,000. They're sooooooooooooooooooo nice too :<

 

[oorahduc]

menG,

I ride my 696 year-round. Sold my car a week after I bought it. Told myself I'd never commute in a car again if I didn't need to because I loved it so much. I now commute from mid-peninsula up to the financial district, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Don't get hung up on what Monster to buy. Take a while and go look at some in person. Sit on them. Test ride if you can. (I didn't test ride mine, but I still bought it anyway and loved it.)

Real world: the 696 will be sluggish with a passenger. If you absolutely have to put her on the back, think about the 796, 1100, or the new 1200 coming out if you can make it rain.

 

[oorahduc]

Not to photobomb the thread or anything, either, but kids love 'em too!