Ducati Monster Forum

I started riding a year and a half ago on a Ninja 250 but I'm looking to move to a nicer bike. I really like what I've read about Monster 696's. I have a budget of around 5k that I'd like to stick to and I've found a used Monster 696's that I like.

There's one problem. The main bike I'm looking at seems to have the stock tires and timing belts it came with, so they are 6 years old. The bike is a 2009 696 with 5k miles on it. I think all that's been done is fluid and oil changes.

So those tires need replaced ASAP right? I mean age has taken away a lot of their grip?

Ditto for the timing belts. I know ducati recommends replacing them every TWO years. If that belt snaps the engine is F'ed right? Can I test ride it in this condition? I think the bike is mechanically sound overall, it just needs certain parts replaced.

This bike is two hours from me but my friend has a trailer. I'm just not sure how to approach testing it and getting it home in this condition. I was thinking of offering the guy $4500 to make up some of the repair costs. Or should I hold my horses and wait for another used bike to pop up? Monsters can be kinda rare in PA.

A test ride is at the owner's risk?

If it doesn't snap a belt while test riding it - ok - trailer it home or better yet, to a mechanic for a belt change.

Tires should be peplaced as well.

Maybe the owner priced the bike accordingly... maybe not...



http://silodrome.com/buying-guide-ducati-monster/ (http://silodrome.com/buying-guide-ducati-monster/)

That's probably the safest course of action.  I'll have to see if the owner will allow me to ride it at his risk.

It's a win/win for you.

If the owner denies a test ride because of the risk - then you have the perfect reason to ask for a lower price  [thumbsup]

Keep it  below 4500 rpm, you wont feel the power hit at 6k but you jut need to see if it starts , check for oil leaks and make sure it isnt squirly on the test ride.

nothing breaks my heart more than a bike with so few miles.

Where in PA are you? I've seen quite a few around Lancaster. I have no affiliation with any of these nor do I think any of them are a great deal. Don't buy until you find exactly what you are looking for though.

https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4990176369.html (https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4990176369.html)

https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4988987304.html (https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4988987304.html)

https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4938932375.html (https://lancaster.craigslist.org/mcy/4938932375.html)

I'm about 1 hour east of Pittsburgh so Lancaster is about 3 hours from me.  Definitley doable for the right bike.

I'm pretty set on a 696/796 but the bikes you list are in great shape.  I might contact the guy with the dropped one with scratches if the one I'm looking at falls through.

I've been looking at these two bikes.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4979776061.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4979776061.html)

http://allentown.craigslist.org/mcy/4949367480.html (http://allentown.craigslist.org/mcy/4949367480.html)

OK I made an offer on the bike in Pittsburgh.  The guy is out of town but he'll be back in a week.

What should I be looking for when I got see it?  Should I check the tank for expansion?  I've read a bit about that.

Yes you should, and of course the service records (ask to see the owners service manual to see the dealer stamps), and that he has all keys, manuals, etc. A swollen tank should drop the price IMO. At least the tank covers help cosmetically.

When he starts it for you, check it is from cold. Discreetly touch the motor when looking at it to check it hasn't been "pre-warmed up" due to being a hard starter or due to a dodgy battery. Check chain and sprockets (shark tooth shaped sprocket teeth means they are stuffed and a rusty chain is a give away of lack of maintenance). My bike came with one key and it wasn't cheap getting new ones made, even though I was sent to a place which do it at a great price. Belts and a valve adjustment being overdue/due can be a bargaining point.

The other bike (796) looks great but I'm guessing a little outside of your price limit.

pretty sure the hidden black plastic tanks don't expand.  it's just the stuff that requires paintability that's the issue afaik.

please correct me if i'm wrong.

i see a few bikes that people think are "fully maintained" because they changed the oil and charged the battery regularly.  just go through it all and it'll be fine.  i like m696.  enthusiastic moor, not enough grunt to get you into real trouble if you ride like a moron.

my m750 has a rear tyre that was s/h when i fitted it maybe 10 years ago that was an oem fitment dunlop d204 on a mid/late 90's m600 i think.  i removed it (owner thought it was too old!) and thought "hmm, i'll have that".  i always liked d204.  it's not overly sticky, esp in the wet. 

Hopefully they changed the tank material. I don't know if members have reported tank swelling on the hidden tanks.

You are correct AFAIK.  No issues with M696/M796/M1100 "clad" plastic tanks.   Only caveat is that our Aus market (Euro-spec) bikes use a different material in manufacture than the US market ones....  XLPE Polyethylene for us.... pretty sure US market uses PA Nylon.   You'll notice that US 696 tanks appear a more "chalky" grey colour than the black Euro ones we see.

Regardless I havent heard expansion being discussed as an issue on these models.

They do expand with ethanol, but they they are mounted on rubber and have adjustable front mounts. Read stories about tank leaks around fuel pumps. There are no cosmetic issues with it though.

Hmm so I need to remove the tank cover to check for tank swelling?  Does that take much time?  I know replacement tanks can get expensive.

Late to the party.

I love our 696, but if you buy that one (and I love white) and have to put belts and tires on it, you're at the $6k for the 796.

So if it were me, I'd call on the 796 and hurry down to make an offer on it with cash in hand.

The 796 will buy you a little more suspension, a little more grunt, a SS swingarm, and more importantly the maintenance has been done by a very reputable dealer.

Buy that one.

That said, if I'm too late, don't feel bad, the 696 is still gorgeous and more than fast enough to get you into trouble if you wish.

And don't even bother worrying about the tank swelling. It's a complete non-issue on these with the hidden tanks, cosmetic only but the class action lawsuit means if it's a problem it would still be fixed free for a number of years. That said, I can't remember the last time I heard of an owner of a 696/796 pregnant doging about a tank problem.

Yeah I was having seconds thoughts regarding whether I should look after the 796.  I messaged the owner today looking to see if it was still available.  Haven't heard back.

The only problem with it is that it's  3 1/2 hours away :(

I found a Monster 1100 in my area but probably too pricey for me.  Termi's too.

Make sure u look at insurance prices for 1100v796v696

Sorry, i should have been more clear on the tank issues.

Whenever I get an insurance quote on the 1100 it's in the $400 range to include collision and other basics.  The 696/796 are in the $300 range.  Progressive  considers a Monster a cruiser plus being a few years old I think that makes them cheaper too.

Don't be afraid to make a drive to get the bike you want. I drove 9 hours one way out to Columbus OH to buy my S4. It turned out to be a great trip with a good friend full of good memories and I got exactly what I wanted.

I think the 796 is sold as I never heard back about it.

I did find this though. http://www.bmw-ducati.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=104601&pov=4226917 (http://www.bmw-ducati.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=104601&pov=4226917)

It would take me 7 hours to get to it, then I'd have to get it home :)  Easier than 9 hours though.

Not sure who I could bug to make that drive.  Buying from a dealer would be nice.  Better financing than going through a regular bank loan.

^^ This.

That's great news!  I was under the impression that I'd always have to worry about this.

OK so I'm finding a fair number of used 2009 696's with low miles.  The downside is that most haven't had the belts changed.

Would I risk disaster by riding one of these bikes with old belts for an hour to get to my Ducati dealer?  I can have a friend trailer the bike home but I'd rather not need to ask him to take it to the dealer too.

There's always the risk, but no one can say with any certainty if it will or won't be an issue.

Why not have the friend with the trailer pick it up and take it straight to the dealer if you're worried?

I'd probably just ride it the hour to the dealer myself.

Yeah I guess I'm asking a question no one can really answer  ;D

Sorry for all the posts.  I got the new bike fever!

OK so I found two bikes that I could go after.

A 2009 696 in White for $4700.  It has 5500 miles, but it needs new tires and belts.  Plus the 7500 mile maintenance is due in just 2000 miles which I will easily hit this year. 

Or a 2009 696 in Red for $5300.  It has 3300 miles, has pretty new tires and may also need belts.  I wouldn't likely hit the 7500 mile maintenance until next year.

I'm thinking the Red for $5300 is the better deal.  It's more money up front but the tires are good and the maintenance will be further away, so I can save up for it.

Been following this and understand the fever :D

If you can, get more details on both service schedules to shore up your decision.

Good luck and tell us how you go.

  Hey there!

 There was myself and another guy on this forum that had their 09' 696 tanks swell. Not a deal breaker.
 I recommend a 796 for ease of tire change with the SSS. When i sold my 696 a few years ago I noticed here in California, the market was flooded with low mile bikes and I had a hard time selling mine, these bikes seem to be tossed away as beginner bikes (which they are not) so you should have luck finding what you want.
 

I'll keep my eye open for a used 796.  It seems like they are a little harder to track down though.

I found this bike in pburgh.  http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4984193237.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/4984193237.html)

It's a 2013 696 with ABS and only 300 miles.  It's $7000 but the guy would take $6700.  It's also under a lien so that makes things more complicated but my bank said it can be done.  The plus is that it won't need any work on it for a long time.  So do I want an older bike that needs some work?  Or do I want to pay more for a newer bike with ABS that doesn't need anything?

Tough decisions!

It still will need belts...by seasons end if not now.

Is there room in your budget for the maintenance?

This is an important question.

Now I'm on the record for thinking that 2 years is conservative for the belts. I'm currently at 4 and planning on replacing them this season. My local Ducati dealer agrees this is reasonable for a bike that is used regularly and not particularly abused.

That said, if you are not planning on doing this yourself (and the more expensive valve adjustment service) and that's NOT in your budget, then maybe you're looking at the wrong brand.

There's a reason we have only 1 Duc in the fleet, but often have multiple Moto-Guzzis or Harleys... I also wouldn't hesitate to add a Triumph or two.

I've given a lot of though the maintenance involved on a Ducati.  I've read the costs others have dealt with.  I visited my nearest Ducati dealer and asked them up front about their charges for 696 maintenance.    I can afford it, but it would be nice to buy the bike and be able to wait until next season to do major maintenance.  Spread out the pain so to speak? 

There is also the question of value.

What I'm thinking with the 2013 bike for $6700 is that it could be the better deal.  The 2009 will need belts ($250)+ tires ($450) AND valves checked ($400) all this year.  After all that it will still be 6 years old.  Total cost: around $6000.

Whereas the 2013 will cost more up front ($6700) but I'd get a newer bike with ABS, for a difference of $700 when maintenance if accounted for.

I'm also pretty confident that I could do the belt changes myself with a little time to prepare and get the right tools.  I'd probably change the belts on the 2013 696 this winter.

We'll see how it works out.  Thanks for posing the question though.  I think lots of people buy Ducati's not realizing they take a little extra TLC.  That's why so many end up sold before the first maintenance  ;)

Good thinking and accounting. I could learn a thing or two.
ABS could be handy and only has to save you once to pay for itself.
Go for it. [thumbsup]

If you want the 696 then the '13 sounds like the best option.

Well I just sold my Nina 250 for $2000.  I hope to buy a Monster 696 in a few days.  Going back and forth between 2 or 3 models.

Has anyone bought a bike under a lien?  How painful of a process was it?

Also, how much value do you guys put on ABS?

Is the bike with a lien being sold by the owner? You'll have to wait for him to pay off the loan and have the title released.
You won't be able to register and title until that happens. It's a different process if it's a licensed dealer.

The ABS question is harder to answer. I do fine without it on a bike. I like it in my car/truck. I don't ride the bike in the snow.

It's from a private seller.  I guess it would take a little more patience and trust for the seller.

Yeah maybe ABS isn't really needed unless you drive in bad weather.  I generally avoid rain as best I can. 

ABS can be useful on occasion, but can also inhibit skill learning...

It's probably easier to sell a bike with it.

I don't buy that inhibit skill learning BS. I've had two bikes with it and, though I was reluctant thinking I would build bad habits, I don't think I've ever actuated it.

It takes a fair squeeze on dry pavement and if anything it might teach you modulation on wet pavement (tell you when you were approaching lock up) without having to kiss the pavement to realize you were there.

As for the bike title, it can be no big deal if there is a local branch of the lending bank. He generally just has to call ahead and have it there for the money and title transfer.

Well I have a confession to make...I did buy a bike but I ended up getting the best deal on a Yamaha.  I intended to join team Ducati but I found a slightly used 2015 FZ07 for $5300 and I just didn't feel I could pass that up.

Thanks for all the advice though!  I'm still hoping I'll have a Ducati someday but I guess it wasn't time yet.  This won't be my last bike.

Here's a pic of the FZ07.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxwlyeWL0NuSSVZLVVk1aWprZmc/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxwlyeWL0NuSSVZLVVk1aWprZmc/view?usp=sharing)

+1 on ABS  [coffee]

I'd opt for the ABS model!

Did you get it??

I'll put my 2 cents in.
I bought my first Ducati last month.
Went through the same issues of cost of upkeep compared to the other bikes.
Always had Japanese before.
All I can say is I should have gotten one a LONG time ago.
Yes it costs a bit more but IMO the character of the bike makes it all worth it.

As far as the ABS issue, IMO , Given the option always get the bike with ABS for the extra cost.
As riders we have so many thing to watch out for on the road, this would be one less thing to worry about in an emergency.
On a track bike it might not be a good thing but for the street it is well worth it.
 Thats just my opinion.

Guys.... He bought a Yamaha.....  [coffee]

Oops, missed that.
Too bad, he missed out

I agree completely.

Hope he comes around eventually, like the rest of us.

Takes people a while. I never really wanted one. I wanted my old SV back. But then i thought about it and it hust made sense. Except for the fact that im going to be doing valves twice a year