Which bike?

[motiztab]

Hi to all,

New member here after a bit of advice pleases!

The wife still learning at the moment but fancy’s a Monster when she pass's.
Her trouble is she's not er how do I put this very tall, in fact at 5ft she's got short legs!
Now as a first bike I was thinking about a 600 or may be 620 or even a 750.
What do you all think?
Are they all the same frame wise and how much can they be lowered? And which year?
New/used?

All help is welcome
:confused:

[Banshee]

Nice all rounder and ya wont be wanting to upgrade in 3 months as ya would with a 620, seen a second hand one on sale ere last week.

[motiztab]

Ok now am going to be thick.
Whats an S2R got the others have not?
I have seen big bore kits for 620's is it worth it anybody know?

[A Yerbury]

there is the 620 then the s2r which is an 800. Although if she has just passed her test the 620 will last much more than the "three months" that Bambi mentioned (he fell off his 620 as it was a bit too gutsy for him) ride height both the same. a 2nd hand 620 should hold its value pretty well for the next year or so, a new one not so much with added obligatory service etc.

Alex.

ps.see the ducati website for a model break down.

[NattyBoy]

620 will be fine...the rear ride height can be adjusted...and the seat can be modded for the vertically challenged !! (lots of ladies go for monsters and some hav ehad the seat resculpted to good effect to make it easier to touch the floor)

In terms of year...a recent 620 will also be fitted with a slipper clutch which will make for a much easier ride for a novice .

Best of luck..

Nat

[Pedro]

For the shorter legged riders you can:

a) raise the fork up through the yokes about 20-25mm - this will also sharpen the steering up making it turn properly (no bad thing but can be a little twitchy)
b) Lower the rear ride height - this is easier on some than others. I think the 620Sie has an adjust link but can't remember for sure
c) Have the seat resculpted by someone like Bum Wraps in Bognor - about £60
d) Get her some boots with built up heels! Daytona do bike boots with raised insoles so they still look like proper bike boots and not like something Gary Glitter would wear..!

Hope this helps
Ped

[w108rna]

Hi there. I had a work mate who was......'vertically challenged' and she had no problems whatsoever with a 620ie. She loved it!

[JMo]

Ok now am going to be thick.
Whats an S2R got the others have not?
I have seen big bore kits for 620's is it worth it anybody know?

As my dear Benny says, S2R is 800cc - and has some very nice bits: single side swingarm, twin high-level exhausts on one side, fancy 5 spoke wheels, and is (only) £1000 more than the standard 620...

And as he says, don't listen to Bambi - he only upgraded his because it would only turn left after he dropped it in front of us all x

If you are buying new, then yes - the S2R is a bit tasty, but there are some lovely colour ways on the 620, and a deal or two to be had...

btw. S2R ride height is higher than the 620 by a good inch, although it can be lowered (adjustable link rod) - standard 620 has fixed rear ride height, but can be dropped at the front (or completely, eh Banshee?! x) and the seat sculpted as Pedro says...

As for the big bore kit on a 620 - forget it, it's £1400... and you'll find the standard 620 has plenty of puff in the real world... (ask the Desmo Due racers)...

xxx

[bad-yeti]

Both are beautiful bikes:

http://www.ducatistore.co.uk/images/ducati_2005/ducati_monster_620dark.jpg

or my personnal favorite:

http://www.bikez.com/bike/21568/index.jpg

Both are fabulous to own/ride/lookat/admire.

Also both are adjustable enough for virtually all riders.

:burnout:

[BoozyBOB]

Hi John and welcome to you and your wife....she wont go wrong with a 620 if she has just passed the test....she will enjoy the ride...(hight and handling)..then she might want to move up to 800..S2r.. but the 620 is a good start point...and she might love it and stick with it (as many here have).. there are good deals to be had on all the Ducati Monster range but i will say let her have a test ride on a few....620..800...S2r..
good luck :lol:

[bad-yeti]

I would say go with the 620 too.

Or wait till after Xmas and pick up an 800 cheap when some poor soul has run out of money (Sony PSP are a must this year for kids)

;)

[paul620sie]

I had a 620 for two years, i swapped because i wanted to try a faired bike,otherwise i'd kept the 620. It has enough power to get you to illegal speeds quickly its just tiring (as all naked bikes are) if you wanna stay there for long periods of time.

Early 620's are five speeds, later models have the six speed box and slipper clutch.

"Jill" bought a monster two months back after seeking our advice on here, these three treads may help you puzzle your way through the monsters available.

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=13365

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=13443

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=13606

Jill ended up with a very nice 620 in Senna grey from a club member.

happy hunting.

[A Yerbury]

As my dear Benny says, S2R is 800cc - and has some very nice bits: single side swingarm, twin high-level exhausts on one side, fancy 5 spoke wheels, and is (only) £1000 more than the standard 620...

And as he says, don't listen to Bambi - he only upgraded his because it would only turn left after he dropped it in front of us all x

If you are buying new, then yes - the S2R is a bit tasty, but there are some lovely colour ways on the 620, and a deal or two to be had...

btw. S2R ride height is higher than the 620 by a good inch, although it can be lowered (adjustable link rod) - standard 620 has fixed rear ride height, but can be dropped at the front (or completely, eh Banshee?! x) and the seat sculpted as Pedro says...

As for the big bore kit on a 620 - forget it, it's £1400... and you'll find the standard 620 has plenty of puff in the real world... (ask the Desmo Due racers)...

xxx


of course it is...sorry I forgot about the "extreme improved ground clearance" advertising blurb.

B.x

[motiztab]

Well thanks for the replys, did not expect so many so soon.
I do like the look of the S2R but for first time big bike looks like the 620's a better option.
I think it will be a used one, let some one else take the knock on buying it new!
As the bike started out at 600cc is there a lot of power differance between 600 and 620? I take it that the 620's are injection and was the increase anything to do with going from carbs to injectors?

[JMo]

The 600 and 620 engines while similar (hey, all the air cooler engines are similar x) are significantly different - it's not just the EFi, but the 620 also has different heads/bigger valves, and not only puts out 20% more power (60bhp vs. the 600's 50bhp), but revs higher and smoother, and is basically a far better engine...

Go for a 620 if you budget can possibly afford it - you can get early one from around £2500 these days...

xxx

[Scotty]

i think the 600 is slightly lower than the 620
but the power difference is so huge that the desmo due are having 2 classes/grids for next year

[JMo]

M600 and 620ie and 620Dark have the same (lower) seat height - 770mm (it's the 620Sie that is an inch higher). The thing with the older 600 is that it has the U linkage suspension which you can adjust, whereas the standard (and current) 620 and Dark 620 have a fixed length linkage, it was only the Sie that had the same adjustable linkage as the S4...

Of course if you've got a set at the lowest postion and it's still too high, then all you can really do is chop the seat...

xxx