Ducati Monster Forum

G'day guys,

i am looking to make a purchase of a road bike ;D, and have always been a big fan of Ducati, so it seems the monster is the way to go for me.
Will be starting off with the little 600,

My question is should i get a monster with 50K on the clock or spend 1500 more and get one with 12K??

Any help and advice would be great,
Thanks
Ben

I am often told I don't know what I am talking about so take this as you will ...

I'd say the main thing to consider is condition and recent service history. If you need new belts, full service and maybe tyres $1500 is probably closer to the truth than you probably want to know.

But these could be needed on either of the bikes you mention.

Maybe a bit more detail (including your riding/mechanical knowledge) might help ... perhaps a post in the intro thread.

as per Betty, there are much more knowledgable guys than me when it comes to buying a bike, but if you know the history of the bikes in question, their age, that might give an idea of how they have been ridden. The one with more miles, may well have been baby'd and the other one thrashed.
That said, if you can take a knowledgable person with you to check the bikes that would probably be your best bet. That and trust your gut about the person selling the bike.

Good luck and quick, buy it soon, it's great riding weather.  [thumbsup]

Hey Ben,

  Welcome, as you have read already there are a few things missing from you questions.
Firstly don't be afraid of k's on a bike if it's been looked after it just means it's been riden and appreciated.

What's missing

year -
condition - (if you've looked at them)
service history -
Bling a.k.a. accessories -
how long you plan on keeping a 600/620 -

FYI I spent 2yrs on a 620 and have just graduated to an S4Rs.
You should think about what you might go to after you have spent some time on the 600/620

Those things said $1500 is a decent difference between bikes if they are the same year model.
$1500 can equal
tyres at $600-ish
service at $400-$650-ish depending on belts/oil/hidden nasties
rego $600-odd

Not trying to scare you out of it just letting you know they are things you need to consider in your purchase.
That could be true of any brand bike not just a Ducati.

Good luck.

I think $1500 is cheaper than an engine rebuild! 50k usually means the bike is ready to have some serious money spent on it to keep it on the road!

Take your time deciding on your purchase as there is plenty on offer!


Rob

50k isn't as bad as rob suggests, there's plenty of 2 valvers with over 100k on them with no major work, this of course depends on how the bike was ridden and maintained. if you have little experience with bikes take someone who knows about the bike you're interested in and never, ever buy a ducati without a service history, it's not worth the gamble, belts and valve shims are the reason and if an owner doesn't bother keeping the log book up to date what are the chances he's going to do the work? especially if he's selling it???
   as rob says, there are plenty to choose from so take your time looking and decide on your budget and stick to it, remember, add ons, while nice aren't going to bring the owner any extra cash as a trade so don't pay too far over the average just cause it's got accessories (unless you plan to add them!) remember the items that wear, tyres, chain & sprockets, service, check them and check bars, pegs, levers lower cases etc for scuffs or scratches, also look under the tank at the hinge (on the steel tank models) for leaks.

paul.

Thanks for the quick response guys, i have lots of mechanical knowledge, but all based on cars and limited on bike(service my xr400) ,
as for the bikes that i am looking at

motorcycle details
Bike   2000 DUCATI 600 MONSTER
Price   $8,000*
Odometer   13,000 kms
Body   Road
Colour   Yellow
Engine Capacity   600
Rego   HU 645
RefCode   35CP-099-1412
Long Comments   
2000 Ducati Monster 600M LAMS Approved Remus exhaust Electronic instrument display Twin headlight system *Note I still have the original exhaust, headlight and speedometer all in original condition. Tyres are in excellent condition Registration until May 2010 13,000 kms. All manuals and servicing history to match kilometers. Well balanced and easily controlled bike. Location: Carlton



motorcycle details
Bike   1997 DUCATI 600 MONSTER
Price   $7,500*
Odometer   47,000 kms
Body   Road
Colour   yellow
Engine Capacity   600
Rego   YB827
RefCode   37CP-089-452
Long Comments   
LAMS approved 600 monster, comes with stain-tune pipes, oxford heated grips, cowl,hugger,tyres are in very good condition,bike runs great. Great seat height for smaller riders


motorcycle details
Bike   1997 DUCATI 600 MONSTER
Price   $6,500*
Odometer   53,000 kms
Body   Road
Colour   yellow
Engine Capacity   600
Rego   di 778
RefCode   35CP-099-1387
Long Comments   
LAMS approved 600cc easy to ride great sound from V-twin motor tyres in great condition 11 month left in the rego. great first bike


motorcycle details
Bike   1996 DUCATI 600 MONSTER
Price   $8,000*
Odometer   13,000 kms
Body   Road
Colour   Red
Engine Capacity   600
Rego   YH578
RefCode   35CP-099-1246
Long Comments   
Near new, with sport insturment panel and exhaust, second owner with complete service history


These are the four that i am looking at,(not looked at yet) as for mods i want cowl some pipes and a few other things, how long im planning on keeping it??? well that would depend on how much i enjoy riding it i guess??

I was going to say Number 1.
But since he has put a different instrument display on there. How can you know it is a genuine 13K?
Worth a look though...

Actually they're all worth looking at :o, and riding [moto], and looking at :o, and looking at very closely again. :o

It's pretty much impossible to tell you which one is better from an internet add :)

I'm not 100% but I don't think the 600's were ever LAMS approved.
Big can you help?
They sounds okay but as always price varies due to the current owner's perception of value.
I am close to the one at Carlton, I can come take a look with you.

first rule never believe any one unless you know them , second rule its allways better to get one with low kays its far cheaper too do a full service than rebuild and thirdly get it service straight away and replace the belts  [thumbsup]

they are lams vic roads say so, already checked that out at i hav only just got my licence after many years of riding dirt bikes

Ah so you are in VIC then, rules may well be different then.
So I guess I can't come look with you as it's 800-odd k's one way.

Happy shopping.  [thumbsup]

Firstly, welcome to the forum! Good advice from all the others, so I wont repeat!

Here's the LAMS list for ducati (according to the RTA site for NSW):
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html)


DUCATI   400 SS JUNIOR
600 Monster City
600M Monster
DM450
DM500
M620ie (24kw LITE)
SL 500 PANTAH
SL 600 PANTAH
600S Super Sport (1994-95)

So the M600 is OK, as you've already said.

Have you ridden one yet? If not, might be worthwhile finding one at a dealer (if that is possible) to guage the power of it. A lot of people will find the M600 docile after a while. Given you're coming from a dirk bike, I assume you know how to ride, you just need to adjust to the road and get your road craft experience up. If so, you this may apply to you, maybe not; depends on how you ride...

I know the 620 uses a mechanical restrictor to keep it LAMS approved (doesn't rev higher than about 3500ish RPM if I recall), not sure if the 600 uses the same system. A common "mod" is to remove or bend the restrictor out of the way to allow full power of the bike. This makes the 620 a popular choice for LAMS riders, if the 600 has the same system, all good.

If not, you may want to consider a 620 - it's gonna be more money, but might keep you happier for longer. Also you'll find that most LAMS bikes hold their value better than non LAMS bikes. Other things to consider, especially if you like to wrench yourself, the 600 is carb, the 620 is FI.

Anyway, we're all happy to help with sharing knowledge that we've gained purchasing and riding Ducatis - keep asking away, I'm sure there will be more questions!

Is it Carlton VIC or Carlton NSW???

first one looks OK.

In this case the year does matter somewhat I would suggest - I think there are significant upgrades that occur in 2000 (are they across the entire range though?). Tank shape changed, carbs to EFI on the 900 in 2000, 750 is 2001 and the 600 in 2002 I believe (Ducati Monster history is tough). Then the 620 happened.

What are 620's going for these days?

I'd say service history is very important for Ducatis - a service may not be required on your new bike, if a great service history has been maintained by the previous owner and you can clearly see how it's been loved. a ? when it come to maintenance may end up $ down the road.

Agree with Loony on this...forget the talk of rebuilds, k's are nothing to be scarred of, it's unknown history that can bite you in the ass, I always want to know detail over who has serviced the bike and I give them a call and chat before buying. The difference to me regarding history vs. no history....is about $3,000 to $5,000 of a bikes price - it's that important!

Welcome capri_v6

The LAMS list for Vic is the same as the NSW one Goldfish posted. I understand why the hunt for the 600. 620 lites are as rare as rocking horse poop here in Vic.  Gaston the head sales guy at Ducati city (MELB) knew of one for sale last time I spoke to him. He is worth talking to.  And they do keep their value. 

I can't add much more to the advice that has already been given here.  All good stuff.  I agree with not being scared of big kms - we all love our ducatis, we ride them whenever we can and maintain them religiously. Well I do anyway  ;D (when it's not raining so much)  :'(

Good luck. Whatever you end up buying, I know you will enjoy it.  If you are in Melbourne, Spider would be the man to take with you to look at potentials.

* I'm not the most mechanically apt person in the world....but I do know what a good price is and have been happy with what I've bought....but the secret is to walk away from anything that isn't right in every way.

As some others have perhaps suggested, get out and get on one.  The best way to understand what it will be like to ride is to actually ride it.
Also just because the Monster models are the cheapest in the Ducati range to puchase doesn't mean they are necessarily cheaper to run or maintain.  Go and have a chat with a local dealer or mechanic and get some ideas of how much these costs will be. 
We all love our Ducs but they do come with a certain level of necessary commitment.

if service is the big owwee part of owning a duc wat are the vic guys paying?? basic stuff i can do myself with ease, but not so sure on belts and valve shim stuff ???

you don't get any change from $1k at the dealers.  :'( Service interval is 10K km.  So service costs are cheap if you don't ride it.

Yes, was quoted $1300 for 20k service at one dealer.  Managed to get it done for under $900.  10k services between $600 and $700.
One way many keep the costs down is to do what they can of the sevice themselves (oil and filter change, etc.) and get someone in the know to do the rest.  Most service places don't seem to have a problem with this.

Nothing more to add other than the usual smart arse comment.

I love comments like these "near new" ... well, you know ... not nearly as new as it was thirteen years ago

that's gold right there! [clap]

it highlights how much liberty people take when describing something they want rid of though, take ads with a grain of salt, there's no shortcut to finding a bargain/good buy, you need to do the footwork and look at lots of bikes, irrespective of whether it "sounds" any good in an ad. often times the best bike comes from the most mundane dull ad and the biggest dogs are pumped up as show winning trophies. [bang]

paul. [thumbsup]