Hey there people.
I am thinking of buying a Monster 600 as was wondering what is considered to be the best to go for in regard to performance and reliability?
I was going to buy one many years ago, but was tempted by a Triumph Speed Triple, so am back.
Any advice on which one to get would be very much appreciated?
Hope everyone is well today, take care out there.
R
well you get red ones yellow ones black ones. in the M600. the tank decals say Ducati monster.
Yellow ones are faster. 8)
up untill 98 they have the engine from the ss.
Then in 98 they changed the engine. dunno if it has more power but the cutch slave changed.
and the tank decals just say ducati.
and they started making Darks. BUT............... unlike nowadays DARKS WERE CHEAPER AND LESS WELL EQUIPED.
Darks didnt have a seat cowl. Darks don't have gold forks. and were definately the poor relation.
Unless you are buying with modification in mind.
Its becuase i was there back in the day drooling as a 19 yr old that i couldnt buy a dark because it definately was the ugly sister.
Our local dealer had to come up with his own dealer edition Tricolour flag effect paint scheme in order to shift them.
WHAT DO DARKS HAVE THAT THE OTHERS DoDNT?
for some reason more to do with Ducatis financial difficulties and lack of credit than anything else.
Lots of 600 Darks have fork bottoms with brake mounts on both sides.
making it easier to put twin discs on if that what floats yer boat.
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/92_11/111_244/P1010052.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/92_11/111_244/P1010052.jpg)
almost standard.
(http://hotimg23.fotki.com/a/92_11/111_244/P1010037.jpg) (http://hotimg23.fotki.com/p/a/92_11/111_244/P1010037.jpg)
spent a few pennies on her.
(http://hotimg25.fotki.com/a/92_11/111_244/P1010021.jpg) (http://hotimg25.fotki.com/p/a/92_11/111_244/P1010021.jpg)
and a few more.
Best mod so far. the Goldline master cylinders and kevlar lines.
Up to 1997 (which weren't available in the US) the M600 ran the Pantah motor which is the older engine with the smaller charging system. From 1998 to 2001 (last year of the 600) the engine was upgraded to the newer style motor with the slave cylinder on the alternator side and the larger capacity charging system. All M600's were carburated too.
600's are good bikes, fun, light and flickable too. If it's an engine size limit you're working around and the insurance doesn't 'bump up', you may want to consider a 620 instead. All have the larger capacity charging system (which is much less prone to failure), all are fuel injected, and make more power than a 600. Just a thought there, but you honestly can't go wrong with either bike.
Quote from: Duck-Stew on April 14, 2009, 06:36:54 AM
Up to 1997 (which weren't available in the US) the M600 ran the Pantah motor which is the older engine with the smaller charging system. From 1998 to 2001 (last year of the 600) the engine was upgraded to the newer style motor with the slave cylinder on the alternator side and the larger capacity charging system. All M600's were carburated too.
One upgrade you can do on the 600 engine is to put 620 heads on. They are bolt-on and have bigger valves than the 600 heads (41/35 vs 33.5/30) so you can retune the carbs (or put 750 class carbs) on and get more hp out of the bike. If you use the 620 cams, they have more lift as well, about 7-8%
There are significant differences in the M600 motor vs the "real" Pantahs, they aren't drop'in replaceable, fyi, but that shouldn't make a difference. My 600ss is my favorite bike for a lot of reasons. It is the most lightweight of everything I have and 55hp seems to go REALLY far with that!
Hi there,
Yes, i was thinking of the 620.
I see there is an I.E and an I.E Sport, any idea which might be better.
Been reading reviews of the 620 I.E and people seem to love it.
Thanks for your answers, great help.
R
Quote from: All Hale on April 14, 2009, 07:46:59 AM
Hi there,
Yes, i was thinking of the 620.
I see there is an I.E and an I.E Sport, any idea which might be better.
Been reading reviews of the 620 I.E and people seem to love it.
Thanks for your answers, great help.
R
I gotta tell you... I've ridden a 620, and I ride a 695 everyday. The 695 seems to make an asston more power to me.
The 620 I picked up as salvage as an eventual project bike(I'm thinking Terra Monster). I took it for a spin around the block and it felt extremely aneamic. I "borrowed" the chain and sprocket off of it for my 695 and the front wheel comes up ALL the time on the 695 now. Granted the 695 has a full Termi system with ECU and airbox, and the 620 had nothing more than slip-ons. I don't recall the 695 EVER feeling as underpowered as the 620 did though. If you can afford to go with the newer 695 it'd be money well spent IMO.
Quote from: Scottish on April 14, 2009, 09:03:35 AM
I gotta tell you... I've ridden a 620, and I ride a 695 everyday. The 695 seems to make an asston more power to me.
the 695 has a different EFI system and makes almost as much HP as the S2R800 (Siemens vs Marrelli)
I dig my 695. 24k and going strong. Nice amount of power too.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on April 14, 2009, 07:03:21 AM
One upgrade you can do on the 600 engine is to put 620 heads on. They are bolt-on and have bigger valves than the 600 heads (41/35 vs 33.5/30) so you can retune the carbs (or put 750 class carbs) on and get more hp out of the bike. If you use the 620 cams, they have more lift as well, about 7-8%
There are significant differences in the M600 motor vs the "real" Pantahs, they aren't drop'in replaceable, fyi, but that shouldn't make a difference. My 600ss is my favorite bike for a lot of reasons. It is the most lightweight of everything I have and 55hp seems to go REALLY far with that!
I REALLY WISH I HADNT READ THIS
8)
We both have 620 Darks. We've never found once that our Darks were sub-par to other Monsters with the same cc's. My sweetie's Duc is an 02 dark (black on black), mine is a rarer 03 Dark (Dark on Silver) as can be seen in the pics. I'd consider the Darks the truer monsters as they appeal to the "minimalists."
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_48aa642d1e26c4f60b3d2efe6dec2344.jpg)
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_04660009d3fbe2fd5a060fdc3aa16dbf.jpg)
Since these images, I have removed the stock mirrors and added a single bar end mirror and added a CF seat cowl to my 03.
We love them and both have over 20k miles on them.
Quote from: weemonster on April 14, 2009, 03:34:54 PM
I REALLY WISH I HADNT READ THIS
8)
and you can find 620 heads cheap on fleabay. get them blasted and the valves checked if you don't know the condition of the engine, but they are basically bolt-on and go. put some FCR 39's on the bike and it's a whole differnet beast entirely.
QuoteThe 620 I picked up as salvage as an eventual project bike(I'm thinking Terra Monster).
Are you the guy keeps outbidding me for hubs and forks? ;D I have a similar project in mind, maybe not a full-on Terra Mostro but more dirt roadable than stock.
Back to the original topic, I think the OP can't go wrong with any of the M620's - they seem to be the most reliable of all monsters.
Quote from: Langanobob on April 15, 2009, 06:05:26 AM
Are you the guy keeps outbidding me for hubs and forks? ;D I have a similar project in mind, maybe not a full-on Terra Mostro but more dirt roadable than stock.
Back to the original topic, I think the OP can't go wrong with any of the M620's - they seem to be the most reliable of all monsters.
[laugh] No not yet. As of right now it's still a pile of parts minus a piece here and there that was used to help someone elses Monster stay or get back on the road.
Quote from: Monster Dave on April 14, 2009, 04:04:50 PM
We both have 620 Darks. We've never found once that our Darks were sub-par to other Monsters with the same cc's. My sweetie's Duc is an 02 dark (black on black), mine is a rarer 03 Dark (Dark on Silver) as can be seen in the pics. I'd consider the Darks the truer monsters as they appeal to the "minimalists."
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_48aa642d1e26c4f60b3d2efe6dec2344.jpg)
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_04660009d3fbe2fd5a060fdc3aa16dbf.jpg)
Since these images, I have removed the stock mirrors and added a single bar end mirror and added a CF seat cowl to my 03.
We love them and both have over 20k miles on them.
Think it had changed by the time the 620 cane out. by that time Dark was just a colour choice.
Quote from: weemonster on April 16, 2009, 05:36:25 AM
Think it had changed by the time the 620 cane out. by that time Dark was just a colour choice.
You are right Weeeeemonster, originally the dark was a stripped model. Single front disc, and lower grade parts(suspension etc).
Quote from: Duck-Stew on April 14, 2009, 06:36:54 AM
600's are good bikes...
I think that's the first time I've heard anybody ever say that.
The M600 is the ONLY Monster that I encourage people to stay away from. Fortunately it was only available for one year (2000) in the United States and not at all in California.
Have I been misinformed all this time?
Quote from: ScottRNelson on April 20, 2009, 03:57:22 PM
I think that's the first time I've heard anybody ever say that.
The M600 is the ONLY Monster that I encourage people to stay away from. Fortunately it was only available for one year (2000) in the United States and not at all in California.
Have I been misinformed all this time?
why would you tell people to stay away from it? your inner squid think cos its only got 55hpit must be crap.?
Quote from: weemonster on April 20, 2009, 04:21:25 PM
why would you tell people to stay away from it? your inner squid think cos its only got 55hpit must be crap.?
As I understood it, the engine was seriously underpowered compared to the 620 but it didn't offer a significant weight advantage over the 750. I know that the Motorcycle magazines didn't like it.
Quote from: Scottish on April 16, 2009, 09:05:32 AM
You are right Weeeeemonster, originally the dark was a stripped model. Single front disc, and lower grade parts(suspension etc).
I had a 03 620 Dark and loved it. I wish I never sold it and I told the person who currently has it I have first dibs to buy it back from him =)
the 03 dark had 2 front disc Brakes. At least mine did ;D
See sig below for picture of it [thumbsup] [moto]
Quote from: ROBsS4R on April 20, 2009, 05:21:11 PM
I had a 03 620 Dark and loved it. I wish I never sold it and I told the person who currently has it I have first dibs to buy it back from him =)
the 03 dark had 2 front disc Brakes. At least mine did ;D
See sig below for picture of it [thumbsup] [moto]
Yeah we're talking about the older models.... newer ones it turned into a paint scheme.
I have two Monster 620's have ridden with many other Ducati's. In the twisties I have yet to be left behind. However in the straights thats a little different. let me also preface it with the fact that I weigh less than 170 and 6'. If you are over 225 lbs you might want to start looking into the 695 at least. Let me also say that i have had passengers on my bike too, collectively we have never weighed more than 300 lbs. It still handles well. If you plan on going faster than 125 mph. you might want to look into the S2R 800.
Quote from: ScottRNelson on April 20, 2009, 03:57:22 PM
I think that's the first time I've heard anybody ever say that.
The M600 is the ONLY Monster that I encourage people to stay away from. Fortunately it was only available for one year (2000) in the United States and not at all in California.
Have I been misinformed all this time?
you missed out on part of the conversation
the 600 (M and SS) available until 1999 (?) used the old Pantah case, with the clutch slave on the RIGHT side, whereas the 2000 model used a sleeved and stroked-down version of the same-year 750 engine, with the clutch slave on the LEFT side.
They are totally different animals. the old style 600 engine was lighter and smaller. the bikes were essentially the same, both are carbed i believe. but that engine was a world of difference. i have a 1996 600SS that was privately imported and it is noticeably lighter and more flickable than the same-year 750 which has the same crankcase and was US imported. the 600 has a smaller swingarm and only one front rotor, contributing to the weight advantage.
low on HP but high on thrills
mid 98 i think they changed the engine.
but if you order parts for a 98 you always get the ones for the later engine so i always refer to mine as a 97.
It happened the same time the Darks did whenever that was.