Hi all,
Yes I have done the intro thingy [bow_down]
I am on the market for a 2006 695 Monster.
The price is good and the bike is in good nick with very little mileage.
Unfortunately I do not know too much and I have done many searches, but I do not seem to get the info I really want.
Is this a good bike?
What known issues are there with this model?
What do I need to look out for before I take delivery?
Any thing I need to know other than the above, as I said I am a newbie to duc's ;D
Thanks
2006 695? You mean 2006 620, or 2007 695.
Things to watch out for, outside of normal used ducati items - the gas tank. This is common to all mosters from mid-2005 until the major revision of the 696
If it's been getting ethanol blended gas the tank will likely have expanded or warped. Ducati was replacing for a time. But I believe the era is over now. Though I'm not 100% sure since I have a pre-plastic tank
Some folks have reported that if one can dry the tank out, they will shrink back which is in line with what should happen with the nylon based plastic used. But I wonder about deformation... And you're looking at having the tank empty for quite a while probably.
Lots of folks who have gotten the tank replaced have taken the step of getting the new tank lined with something like POR-15 or Caswell, before installation and reports on these coated tanks have been good so far.
Signs of swelling from water (due to ethanol) exposure
- The two rubber bumpers on the bottom of the tank do not align center up on the frame tubes
- There is little to no gap between the tank buckle and the ignition. On a good tank, you should be able to wedge a pinky tip between
- bubbles or ripples in the surface
- Lateral asymmetry
With any used Duc, you need to check on the age of the cam drive belts. They are a 2 year, or 12k mile replacement item. Low milage, older bikes will probably need new belts.
How many miles? Will a valve check be due (very) soon? That should be kept in mind and factored into your net cost
How old are the tires? Not how many miles, but actual age. There will be a date stamp on the side wall of the tire. If they are originals or more than 4 years of age they will need to be replaced.
Has the suspension fluid (oil) been replaced within the last year? The oil does fatigue with age. Again if it original it's dump-water and needs to be replaced.
Hydraulic fluids, brakes and clutch should be flushed. Lucky for you this is easy DIY and DOT4 fluid is cheap.
As far as issues,
- From the factory they are trimmed quite lean. As a result folks had higher operating temps and some instances of discolorations of the paint on the engine. So be sure to look. Especially check the vertical head, as it gets less air flow.
I bought my 2007 model year M695 in October of 2006, so perhaps the OP is going by sales date.
The M695 is a solid entry level Monster and tons of fun. Suspension and brakes are very basic. No oil cooler, so stick with a good synthetic and be careful in summer stop/go situations.
- SP already pointed out the "magic expanding plastic tank" issue. Make sure it fits OK and you can still operate the tank latch at the front near the key.
- Might be due for a scheduled service (based on time or miles) which can really affect the value.
- Heads are prone to discoloration due to faulty paint.
- Valve stem guides can wear prematurely.
- USA models run way better and a bit cooler with the "DP" ECU kit.
My warranty repairs included a couple tanks (expanded), two new heads (melted paint), new valve guides (during head swap), couple oil leaks at cam pulleys. On my own I found a loose APTC clutch hub nut and a burned up regulator/rectifier connector. Lots of false-neutrals until I replaced and very carefully setup the internal shifter linkage.
Been a good bike to me for >20k miles and I don't baby it. Great platform for modifications/improvements!
BK
Thanks for the feedback [thumbsup]
Dealer confirmed the bike is a 2006 based on the paperwork.
Currently has 14 000km on the clock, so has not been ridden much.
The dealer has done a full servIce and overview, so hopefully I can Take his word that mechanically it is sound.
I am not too worried about cosmetics, but it looks great.
The bike has the Ducati aftermarket pipes on too.
The tank issue sounds scary, so I will check it out, not keen to buy a lemon.
Thanks again.
Really nothing about the M695 to be afraid of. Relatively short model duration of a few years. Plastic tank issue is common to many models, but is only connected to regions that serve up ethanol fuel blends. Ducati aftermarket pipes are a good sign - usually goes along with the open airbox and "race" ECU. If the service is truly up to date (first big one at 12k km?) and the bike speaks to you I say go for it!
BK