Ducati Monster Forum

Hello, Looking for input . Need a new bike and I have seriously been looking at Monster 696. I will be using it for work which in my case is motoring around town lots of stop and go, splitting traffic , and some freeway. I own a courier business and have been using a Ninja 250 but I am ready for a little more especially on hwy. Around town the Ninja is perfect but ...  My main concern is reliability and excessive heat when not moving. Anyone out there with any input would be greatly appreciated.  Originally I was looking at the small hypermotard but not really into the extreme upright position or extra wide bars. If that had lower , narrower bars it would be perfect.

thx Brian

The hyper would fit your needs better...just change the bars if you don't like them.  Have you ridden a Hyper?  Awesome weapon in traffic with all the legs you need on the highway.

I have to disagree.  For a courier business I wouldn't want a Ducati because of the maintenance schedule.  I'd go for something Japanese. 

If you're set on a Duc, I'd try to find a Multistrada.  The old one, not the new one.  I wouldn't go for the Hyper because of the limited fuel capacity.

I think a ducati would be expensive to maintain if you plan on doing lots of miles.
if you're going for practical...i would suggest a BMW F650GS or kawi versys

If you are going to use the 696, then I would suggest either having the dealer (or you) install the DP oil cooler.  If your doing it, I might suggest the H-Comp cooler, as they have an over sized one that should help with the around town heat.

I have a 620, not a 696, but I know that adding bard risers to the 620 made it much more comfortable for city riding.  I've sat on a 696 several times, and, my 2cents, I think it'd be great as a courier ride.  Adding bar risers puts the rider a little closer to a 'motard position, which may be what you're looking for.

Hyper would be better in city traffic. 796 with different bars seems like it should be the "right" duc for what you describe.

Learn to do your maintenance yourself if you plan on using it for a work bike, but to be honest, I would find something that has longer intervals. The added risk of spending that much time on city streets and the cost of repair for a duc if something goes wrong might also inform your decision.

If it gets warm where you are you will want/need the oil cooler.

But whatever, buy what you want to ride every day.

couple of things i would suggest. IF you get the Hyper, replace the mirrors with normal bar mounts. the wide mirrors on the end of the bars might leave you hitting cars or people as you park and get in and out of tight spaces.
and if you get the hyper or 696 (get the oil cooler for sure) you might want to think about adapting some sort of cooling fan for the oil cooler for heavy traffic.

the other choice is a throw away type of bike (don't flame me) a Hyosung 650 or its like. cheap bike, low insurance, easy maintenance and low initial costs.

Hyper requires you to be fairly tall to be comfy with stop and go.
if you're a midget like me, its a balancing act getting your feet down.

(best commuting bike i ever had was a DR650 with a rear rack...upright position, tall position gave good visibility, didnt care if it got scratched/dropped, and you can go over a curb with no drama if the need or mood strikes you)

What be you courier-ing anyways? Somehting with lockable luggage might be nice.


For something that's going to see what I'm assuming is a lot of low speed city streets, and possibly quite a bit of abuse, your best bet, in all likelihood, is probably a scooter.

Low insurance, locakable, harder to damage, and invisible to cops.


Probably not real likely to be stolen, either.

Thanks for input!  It sounds like 696 may not be the best choice for a work horse.  I thought maybe I had found the perfect bike for my needs. I am trying to find something that allows me to get the work done and is fun to ride as far as cornering in the hills and good at high performance style riding. . I love the sportbike feel and would love to just have one bike for work and pleasure, although that may not be possible. Prior to Decati I was looking at the cbr600. Seems like the main problem with the MOnster would be maintenance and the bike not being durable enough. I do live in a hot area during summer months but sounds like there is a fix for the heat thing.  Mostly I just courier small paper docs. Use a backpack. Anything bigger I jump in a car.  I have been using ninja 250 which is scooterlike but I still need something good on freeway. And to be honest I like having fun when I work and scooters are not much fun. I may just need to think about keeping ninja and buying a weekend type bike although that is what I have been trying to avoid.   Maybe Ducati would sponsor me. haha

ok now you are giving more information... since you are looking for more than just courier work. yes i do feel the 696 fits your criteria. with the oil cooler fitted, the 696 does fine in traffic i'm sure, never had too much problem without but didn't sit it horrible traffic but did ride in 100+ weather.
the weekend stuff and hills is the key to making the 696 a great pick. the maintenance isn't such a major issue if you can do any work yourself. and you can even get a rear rack now from Givi if you need it.

Can you verify costs for the recommended maintenance on the BMW vs Versys vs 696?

Oh yea motor biking is a major part of my life not just because of work. I love being on a bike. What type of maint. do the 696 require? Is it the same as any other bike just more frequent?  Any reason why?  Now I am excited again for Monster.  I dont mind the initial higher cost of the bike if it is really what I want and will work, but how much are we talking as far as extra maint.?  I dont mind doing it myself if that is what it would take.    There is a great Ducati dealership close to my house and they seem pretty good.

Well hell, if we're going to analyze this all proper like, we should also account for frequency, too. If he needs it for work, whenever it's down is an issue.

If they end up being similar costs but one has more downtime than the others, it would be less than desirable.

So I tried to google all the answers but did find a site mcnews.com that had Cycle Stats on some entry level bikes but no Monster??
http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/200711-versystest.pdf (http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/200711-versystest.pdf)

I went and pulled some of their comparisons and plugged in the 696 info..  very unscientific.  I tried to call two Kawasaki dealers and neither one could give me a straight answer??   So from what I could find here are some comparisons...
(http://ducatiseattle.smugmug.com/Other/Banners/Entry-Level-comparison/786421810_iBGBx-O.jpg)

I imagine the Monster 696 is not the most economical option, but if you think you can afford it and it turns you on, then why not?  Is the gearing tall on the 696 like it is on my 2000 M900?  If so, you'd want to reduce it with a change of sprockets for all your stop and go riding and for the sake of your clutch. 

At least your maintenance costs would be a business expense.  Give it a go and let us know how it works out. :)

Yes I have no problem spending some more on something that is going to bring enjoyment to my work, i am not in this business to become rich, I have fun most of the time and enjoy what I do.  after recently talking with and visiting a Ducati dealer in town I dont think I could go back to the Japanese dealerships .There is no comparison, the guys at Ducati were really cool, showed me and my 6 yr old son the mechanics garage and where they keep the bikes not yet for sale(secret warehouse) it was a really fun time . every time I go to the Kawi, Honda... stores I cant wait to get out of the place.  and even on here Dave R from Ducati in seattle goes through the trouble of looking up price comparisons. Nice!  thx.
 

Kawasaki ER6F : 8000k
Maintenance : 151
Ducati 696 : 9000
Maintenance : 110

HAVING FUN : PRICELESS

Just go for it : The Ducati [thumbsup]

Ninja 250. It doesn't get more economical than that. The new one is kinda cool looking too. I agree about the maintenance not being very cost effective. $600 quote for a 6K Mile service that was due 4K miles ago. If you can wrench most of it yourself, Ducati 696 not a bad idea. Valve job might be the only thing you have to take it in for.

I rack tons of miles on my Monster 620. Seems like a durable, efficient, comfortable bike. I tend to due my own oil changes every 3 - 4k miles. Then taken it in every 10K for the service that as due roughly 3.5k miles earlier. I'll bet the 696 can handle your business. i'd also go used instead of new.

yes the 250 ninja is great but very under powered on hwy.  if it only had a few more gears.  i would love to find a used 696 but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there.  if i bought new i could put a chunk down and finance the rest. i really like the black/dark 09-2010. 

this place sounds familiar ??  hope the chart helps..

And despite my recommendation of something more practical....
my last bike purchase-
ducati HM1100 from dave r at ducati seattle.

even though it was an 8 hour drive one way.
will take it back for there service too
 ;)

Change the sprockets  :)

Where are you located Brianlp?

Personally I'd go with a mid sized water cooled bike.  FWIW was a courier myself long ago and used a Norton Commando which was a really bad choice, eventually it died and I lost the job after many weekends spent wrenching.  A BMW K75 might be good choice, bulletproof from what I've heard...and yes I know they are boring, owned a K100 for years, but might make a good working bike.

(http://www.dubaipetrolheads.com/images/kwak/KLR650.jpg)

It's cheap
It's bulletproof
It can carry crap

A fellow Courier?!

up until recently was a courier in philly for 3 years (moved to texass)and worked at a duc shop on weekends. Where are you out of? I used my 02 monster day in and day out and my CRF for days when it was icey or snowed. Did all my own wrenching and such because the two valves are simple to maintain.   I've got 54k on my monster most of it from city runs and no issues. Stock hyper bars are way to wide to lane split easily, buddy of mine used an ST2 with 70k on the clock. That KLR would be a pain in the ass day in and day out.

(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/girder-chopper-1.jpg)

On the practical POV, I would have recommended something like a small dual sport like a CRF230M.  It's light, cheap, manuvable, and gets you up and down the street.  It's no big deal if it gets scratched up going in and out of traffic, or dropped. 

(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20B/Honda%20CRF%20250M.jpg)

But if you want a bike that both moves your body and soul, for work and for pleasure, GO FOR THE 696!

Considering he mentioned the words "freeway" and "splitting" probably means he's in California.

OP, if youre not on Barf, there are a few moto couriers who'll give you their honest opinion. Here's a post from awhile back that I remember reading. Its by 07Chuck, and its the 4th post. http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3217941 (http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3217941)

I am out of sacramento, Ca. Fairly mellow smallish downtown. Own the business, its called DaredevilCourier and I mostly do paper work , legal docs etc. Use a car for bigger stuff . I have been looking at some of the older Monsters also. 800's 620's ...  Looks like they go for around 3- $4000. used.  I wonder if a 800 would be to much for lots of stop and go. 

the 800's would be fine, they're still wet clutches with the right amount of power. The dry clutches will murder you day in day out.

^^^ No....make little men big, strong men!

Jah, ve vill pump you up!