New proud Monster owner

[Dingo-Rider]

Hello Everyone,

Just saying hello from East London, recently bought my first big bike in almost 15 years of riding absence and went for my dream, a 2006 Ducati Monster 695(the largest I can go due to insurance being so much for me...long story). Although I already spent almost a grand on her first service plus, belt, break pump, stack rod, and a few niggly repairs, including water getting in the fuel due to a worn seal which my Ducati Dude fixed (great guy overall). Took her for her first long(ish) ride yesterday and my gosh, for a 700CC engine she goes.....well at least I dont remember my last 700CC bike being that eager (or I just been away that long hahaha)...more accurately "lazy" cruising 70mph at 3000rpm. I guess £900 calamaris on full service well spent! Very happy!

Anyway looking forward to hearing from everyone in and our of this thread and maybe meeting people in person on the way, certainly learning from you all. Also looking forward to ridouts/meets/drinks(minus the bike)?

Cheers,
N

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/E1y4dxBrCk_5bRXlC1_Kl9uS4wHLM8b-1LZr_TONmVxv0gBrWvdIm4nn6-Y3k7r0s81K23cnPvO8ZOVxe-jaWojAbE0SAi7oX897iBEDMk-ZwSy5oCEGLdiXHtAqw15yaMcWHcNwVxujWYZ6hsOmEt-0I8cK9IC4KZnTDwJiJHs2lG07cQEOTPs9gtt8loCtCwrmB7lrk xRCzAsvC-PMo2f2ofiJN7fLZzB3b67uovzG3m65NOXJMr8YUi4G4jX8A4gA HqpJUyEMPpEhlUbomArDVWTABAGvP-S9WoB23dBFv3GE7hVpzpXz-FxtpXAOB2lLbOv3AuIYQMzzvQ_l_aDR160mwaHK_emA0NMltrC XwBxjUPIBsxBdDx0h7VIICRwR37PpkmDLdu3oHoGlvfZrC8TkM yzESyI0Wjnytnx0V0BBxRyyP1pF8G7UOe_8FKyrNqNLyBrc_GQ NXFqYrZA13iuyq08u18wdEEYhYH18TeZvmNWDga2QMAaCJkc4m kjuiddW_ihRw0Pde4oh2ppqRVbzNXmXEoEUyAIeS0rD2OhRXJB roCIKElY35Dv9COdHaPkXmDbTLOCswXDdR9RcnmsjBzRP6dZ2-NDcD40979HLQA=w2087-h1173-no

[Ursa]

Ahh you made it after my invite off London Bikers. :mand: Glad to see all is good with the 695, they do have more poke than you'd think.

We should be having our monthly London meet this Saturday afternoon, Dirty will be along imminently to post details.

[Dingo-Rider]

Ursa Mate! How ya goin? Yes! Thank you! And Marcus from Rosso Corse also mentioned this forum and thought I would pull my finger out....something bout tunnel rides got my attention :)
Yeah mate she goes like a dream....I didnt expect that much from a 700cc(yes yes Im a noob and may fade but hey im its still my honeymoon period! :spin: )....as said she definitely lives up to her name, monsters just plod along lazily until you poke them and BOOM all this anger and rage! I managed to scare myself on the M25 yesterday LOL!

Ah hope its on a weekday as I am away pretty much every weekend until the new year, back in London on the 5th of Jan after NYE celebs on the slopes. Anyway ill look out for it, with some luck Ill be able to join :)

[Ursa]

Hah am good, thanks, if you see a short girl on a black n red 695, wave, that'll be me.

I'm not sure we're having a Xmas social in London this year, but there'll be meets, rides and beers after Xmas for sure!

[Dingo-Rider]

Sweet! Hahaha so I guess our bikes are more similar than I thought :) Ill defo wave :)
Where do you normally ride? You ever visit BikeShed?

Great fingers crossed soon :)

[Ursa]

I usually commute to work in town on the bike, and further afield when it's warmer. I do go to Bike Shed regularly as it's 15 minutes on the bike or 15 minutes on the train if I want beer :mand:

[J.P]

A big welcome to the club & forum Dingo.
My first big bike was the 695 when it was released back in 2006 and that just led me on the slippery slope of Monster ownership for the last 10 years. Have fun.

Lots going generally in & around London for as much as you'd like to get involved.

[utopia]

Welcome along.
I'm not surprised that you find that the 695 goes well.
I've run an earlier, less powerful, carbed 750 for the last 10yrs and I'm still more than satisfied with its performance.
And I'm not new to bikes..... began with a 1968 350 Yamaha (unless you count the Vespa).

[Dingo-Rider]

Thanks utopia and J.P, yes I think this is the end of my surplus cash for the next forseeable future LOL!
Yeah cant wait for the next ride(not including commute).
Anyone on this forum that is knowledgeable with customization, performance mods etc I should know? :)

[Dingo-Rider]

I usually commute to work in town on the bike, and further afield when it's warmer. I do go to Bike Shed regularly as it's 15 minutes on the bike or 15 minutes on the train if I want beer :mand:

yeah I normally take The Highway past Tower Bridge, through Lower and Upper Thames, Victoria Embankment then up to Mayfair. Its not too bad anymore. Yeah I live about 15mins ride to or uber to Bike Shed, let me know if you ever go after work or something :)

[slob]

Reckon you live fairly close to me then, I usually head the other way when I can, out through Epping towards Suffolk

[J.P]

Anyone on this forum that is knowledgeable with customization, performance mods etc I should know? :)

If it doesn't have it already, an easier time will be had if you fit a 14-tooth front sprocket on the bike which will help the slower speed riding in London, for a small substitution of the top end performance.

[Dingo-Rider]

If it doesn't have it already, an easier time will be had if you fit a 14-tooth front sprocket on the bike which will help the slower speed riding in London, for a small substitution of the top end performance.

how small?

[slob]

Top speed will drop from 130ish to a bit over 120, you'll also get better acceleration
http://www.gearingcommander.com/

[Darren69]

Some people like that mod, others feel it makes the bike buzzier on the open road and prefer the taller gearing but its a cheap thing to try and easy to change back again if you don't like it.

[Dingo-Rider]

Cool thanks guys, will look into it :)