Hi everyone

I recently passed the test and I'm now looking for a monster.

I joined not long ago and so far had a very good impression of the club. Hope I get to know it better.

Cheers

Hello and welcome!

Congratulatons on passing the test!
Welcome to the club.

Yep well done Look forward to seeing you around

Well done and welcome!

Well done on passing
Good luck finding a monster just remember there is only one colour to choose!
No Colour.
Join the Dark Side

How ya doin' - well done on the test and making the right choice with your bike selection!

Thanks to all for the friendly welcome!

I surely was happy with passing the test because it obviously meant that I now have the opportunity of buying, owning -loving even- and most importantly 'riding' a Ducati Monster. Hell, what a brutal design, what a brutal bike. Choosing it was never going to be hard.

I also got to say that I share a particular like with Lord vader. Black is my preferred colour for the bike although once I have climbed up the riding ladder I won't complain if I get a striped SR. Yes I'm on the dark side and glad to be there.

Now is the time for hunting for one. Maybe some of you want to offer advice, which will be greatly appreciated. I have two questions:

One. Are the 600s powerful enough or should I look for a 750?

Two. Can I tour through europe on one of these beasts?

I have set a budget of £1500 for an used one so I'm mostly looking at 98 bikes and earlier.

Cheers

[gary tompkins]

Originally Posted by zxebeast

Thanks to all for the friendly welcome!

I surely was happy with passing the test because it obviously meant that I now have the opportunity of buying, owning -loving even- and most importantly 'riding' a Ducati Monster. Hell, what a brutal design, what a brutal bike. Choosing it was never going to be hard.

I also got to say that I share a particular like with Lord vader. Black is my preferred colour for the bike although once I have climbed up the riding ladder I won't complain if I get a striped SR. Yes I'm on the dark side and glad to be there.

Now is the time for hunting for one. Maybe some of you want to offer advice, which will be greatly appreciated. I have two questions:

One. Are the 600s powerful enough or should I look for a 750?

Two. Can I tour through europe on one of these beasts?

I have set a budget of £1500 for an used one so I'm mostly looking at 98 bikes and earlier.

Cheers

If you can stretch to £2K or maybe £2.5K you'll give yourself a lot more options. There are 600/750 monsters out there for less but they could cost more to get sorted/serviced especially if they've been neglected.

Well done with the test and welcome.

Originally Posted by zxebeast

Can I tour through europe on one of these beasts?

A pretty open question... How far and how fast? Do you want to do Autoroutes (to get through the boring bits of northern France), or just stick to the twisties. Whatever you get you'll need luggage and an iron-butt (or a comfort seat) to do any serious distance. For touring I'd recommend a bigger engine... I've done 300 miles in a day on my 900 (with comfort seat) avoiding motorways where possible... the first 200 miles is fun, 250 is OK, but after that it becomes pretty wearing. Headlight cowl or not, this is a naked bike and it will be a physical strain to travel long distances.

Miles

CK & AK, Gary, Geoff, MilesB that's some first hand info. Thanks!

I now think I should really go for at least a 750, and ideally a 900. I like the idea of an old 900 in good condition.

Originally Posted by zxebeast

CK & AK, Gary, Geoff, MilesB that's some first hand info. Thanks!

I now think I should really go for at least a 750, and ideally a 900. I like the idea of an old 900 in good condition.

To support Miles' note ... a Monster without any screen will be a right pain at any speed for any distance. I've got a 33cm high Givi handle bar mount screen and it makes a huge whack of difference ... and it's only 5 minutes work to put it on or take it off.

Geoff

Hello beast and welcome!

I'd say 600 won't be powerful enough for you. I just bought myself a 695 and am loving it, but my Monster friend's swapping his 620 for an S2R 1000 or a 749 due to it being 'gutless'.

I'm planning to ride down to the Italian Lakes in September, and have been told my Monster is perfectly capable of it, although a softer seat might be more comfortable.

And, as any fool knows, red is the fastest colour!

Hey Paivi

This Red/Black thing is like choosing between Adriana Lima and Scarlett Johansson - I could have them both!

It's interesting you say that a 600 won't be powerful enough, I'd heard it before. The option of an early M900 jumps into mind. It'll be good to know how much more insurance I'll have to pay though.

Hope you enjoy that trip to the Italian lakes. I'm sure it'll be a great adventure!

Originally Posted by zxebeast

The option of an early M900 jumps into mind. It'll be good to know how much more insurance I'll have to pay though.

Get some quotes from e.g., Ebike and Carole Nash with separate bikes to get an idea. Often, you'll actually get a lower insurance for a more powerful bike than the entry level one, e.g., 620. Where you'll really save, though, are the security measures: get an Almax chain with a Squire lock and you'll get £££ off yours. Another few quid off if you do BikeSafe (at £30 in London).

Originally Posted by zxebeast

By the way, you've got a gorgeous 695! Sure it rides as good as it looks!

Thanks, the Duchess is gorgeous, but handles in a most unladylike fashion, just growling at any car driver careless enough to come too close!