Ducati Monster Forum

hey guys, so within the next week i should be going to pick up a used Monster 695 (2007) with 7600 miles.

the bike needs the 7k interval service as well as either jumped or a whole battery replacement.

the seller wants $2500, is that a fair price?

the guy i am buying it of is a military guy (do not know him personally) but i have been talking to him on and off for the past month and he seems super genuine.

he is actually willing to let me pay for half of the bike up front (i will take the bike and the clean title) and pay the rest monthly, he will put in the agreement the problems that the bike has and if it turns out it has ore he will adjust the price accordingly or he will give me a full refund.

i sent him a list of questions and he answered them, ill let you guys see them and you can let me know what you think:

bike brand?
Ducati monster 695

engine size?
695 cc

does the bike start?
currently no

what was the bike used for? (track, commute, leisure)
leisure and commute

reason for sale?
moving to a new base

is the bike clean and straight?
yes

has the bike ever been in an accident?
no

was the bike raced (track or street)?
not that I'm aware

last oil change?
1200miles ago

are the brakes smooth, do they pulse, pad life remaining?
yes no pulsing

is there any rust on the gas tank?
no

how is the condition of the seat?
clean no rips

how much tire tread is left? general condition of tires?
80-85 tread

all electrical lights and switches in working order?
yes

do the forks leak? does the suspension knock or squeak?
no

any bends or twists in forks/legs?
no

any bends/cracks on wheels?
no

chain and sprocket wear (hooked teeth/stretched chain?)
chain and sprocket it clean no wear

is there any exhaust damage (scratches/rust/dents)?
no clean exhaust

any modifications?
yes, termi exhaust, air intake, tuned.

is there anything wrong with the bike?
doesn’t start, new battery, 7k service

any maintain/safety issues?
nope

are the service records available?
yes

does it have a clean title?
yes

originally i was going to buy a newer bike but i then came to think that because this will be my first bike it would be much less painful on my heart to drop the bike and would be a quirky bike to get to know and love.

i have close to no street bike experience and little to no mechanical experience.

so here are my questions…
good starter ducati?
do you think this is a good deal?
do you think i can replace the battery myself?
do you think i could do the service myself?
does it sound like the bike is in clean shape?
would you buy a bike that doesn’t start due to a battery problem?

sorry for the long winded question i just didn’t know how to shorten it lol, thanks in advance!
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The bike needs a full service, and probably tires...even though there's plenty of tread. They get old and don't perform as designed.

The full service because of both miles and age. It likely also needs a battery.

You're looking at putting ~ a grand into the bike. I don't think you could do the service yourself unless you have wrench twisting experience.

Is the bike worth $3500 to you?

Seller says he has service records, ask to see them. If he's done belts, valves, fluids, etc. per the maintenance schedule (based on months/years, not just miles), you're good. Otherwise, as DP says above, you're in for $1-2k at the dealer.

The battery is easy enough to replace with basic skills and tools. Which makes me wonder why the owner hasn't done it. If it doesn't start, there's no way for a buyer to know how it runs and rides.

If it only needs a battery and maintenance is relatively current, the price along with the Termi's seems like a good deal to me.

Good luck and keep us posted  [thumbsup]

Couple other things; '07 had the plastic tank, so you might read up on this thread to know what to look for: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25074.0

'07 also had an immobilizer, came with two black keys and the infamous red key and code card. I'd recommend asking the owner if he has these, as well.

OMG... 2500 for a 7000 mile 695.  If you like it buy it man. You will only regret not jumping on it.  If you're unsure walk away.  Buyers regret sucks. 

You'll need to spend money on it...welcome to motorcycling.  They seem to need something all the time and suck up money fast.  It's part of the hobby.   A service and fresh rubber is expensive but a new Duc is $10,000.  Can't play for free!

I'm going to give advice contrary to those above: don't buy it.

OP said he is new to motorcycles, so I think the smart move to get something that is low maintenance, without a history of problems, and importantly, that runs at sale.  Ride that bike for awhile and then upgrade if needed.  With some experience and mechanical know-how, you can decide whether to buy as your second bike one that needs work.

For now, though, save the potential headache of buying a bike that needs TLC at the start.  Yeah, it might just be a $1000 or service and then you got a great bike for a great price, but all other possibilities are not pretty for a first-time owner.

My $0.02.

hi and thank you for the reply, i was aware that i needed the full service and the battery, i do think that the bike is worth 3500 to me but i was wondering if i could take the rest of winter and do the service myself or maybe even just the battery, that should save some $$$ what would you say the bike is worth?

i will ask today to see the service history but as far as i am aware no big services have been done other than oil changes, what else should i be looking for?

i know the bike needs the 7k service done (belts and valves) as well as a new battery the seller hasnt hid that from me and thats why hes selling it for a discounted price. for both of these i have had quotes of between $800-$1100 but i think im going to do the battery myself to save a little $$$.

the reason the seller hasnt done the battery is because he is out of the country (military) and will return next week, he said his cousin tried to start the bike and it wouldnt start, he said it might just need jumped and that the bike ran 100% other than needing the service before he left for service. so the bike could just need jumped or a new battery.

however like i said the seller said he will write up a contract stating the problems with the bike and if there are any more the price will be adjusted or i can return the bike

i think its a great price but like everyone i want to make sure im not spending my money on junk, i can afford to pay someone to the the service but i think it would be a good learning experience to do myself, what makes you think the bike will need new tires? it has a good amount of thread left and has only been sitting in a heated garage for 4 months

thank you for your thoughts, its good to have a different opinion, however i am pretty set on riding a monster, its one of the few bikes i have lusted for since i was a child and now i have the money to have one :) im not really worried about the maintenance as im eager to get hand on a learn, i have the tools available just not the experience. the seller has told me that he will write up the contract and if the bike needs more than the service and the batter either jumped or replaced he will give me a full refund or adjust the price accordingly.

the seller is actually only taking half the money up front to ensure that i know hes telling the truth about that the bike needs.

GO FOR IT  [Dolph]

Tires are old and have become hard - probably quite/very slippery.

I wouldn't even start this bike until the service is done (because of the aging belts). Better safe than sorry.

IMO the learning curve is just too steep for you to service it yourself.

thats my thoughts too, i feel that its too good of a deal to pass up on, considering the guy is letting me pay half up front and the rest when the bike is in riding condition, you think i will need to replace the tires right away or will they be good to ride on for a while? i will probably have the service done by a certified mechanic right away but i really want to do some of the maintenance/repair myself (the battery)

You can grab the owner's manual here: http://www.ducatiusa.com/services/maintenance/index.do

This will give you an idea of what maintenance is needed.


Rubber ages. If the tires are more than 5-6 years old (based on the stamp on the tire, not purchase/install date), you'll likely want to replace them.

There should be a production date on the side walls. Maybe the owner knows.... or you'll find out together. +/- three/four? years is fine - from there it's like riding on wet or worst case even ice.

There are many service points you can do with little knowledge, but with a few special tools. Checking brake pads, changing oil, checking suspension for leaks and of course battery. The shop you use will check the battery for you and then you can decide to replace or just charge it (when they service the bike, the battery will be removed anyway, so there's no extra cost for them to replace it)(same with the fuel tank - checked for expansion while they do the sevice) Any chance you could watch them work?

X $0.02 = $0.04.

You have no way to know what you are buying if it doesn't run.  Want a Monster?  Get yourself a running 620 or 695 at a reduced price due to the pre-dented tank.  The bike you are looking at might be great deal, but IMO, for someone else.

If the bike is worth the $3500 to you, then I say have the seller install a battery so you can hear it run. I wouldn't advise riding it due to the age of the belts.

If it runs, and you don't see/hear anything out of the ordinary then you can buy it. If you know anyone with moto experience, bring them along for a more educated opinion.

I still say let a pro do the service. It can get ugly if you make a mistake with half rings and a valve drops inside, or you install a belt a tooth or two off.

the bike is definitely worth 3500 to me, of course i am wearing rose tinted glasses because this has been one of my dream bikes for so long.

i dont mind taking the bike not running and doing the battery myself or even having it dropped off to be serviced and checked out because the seller stated to me that if anything other than the battery and the service he will reimburse me or take the bike back. it will be in a written and signed contract by both of us.

i recently immigrated from ireland to Massachusetts so i dont really know anyone with motorcycle experience in the new england area to look at the bike for me unfortunately.

i will definitely have a pro do the 7k service based on what i have learned in this post.

Of all the places you could have moved to.  :D

Within distance, or worth the extra distance, to the highly recommended Ducvet/Eric/Clubhouse Motorsports one state up  [thumbsup]

 http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18933.0

If you're willing to transport the bike to NH there is a first rate independent tech that I can personally recommend. If you need help transporting the bike let me know. There are members here that use the same shop. You never know who might be headed that way, or be willing to truck it for gas money.

Lars beat me to it. That's who I was referring to. He might even be willing to pick the bike up. If you want the bike...it isn't impossible to work it out.

tell me about it, myself and my wife are already planning a move to a warmer climate, Florida/texas/N.C

if you dont mind me asking whys it worth the distance? im already struggling to find a way of getting the bike from wakefield,RI to MA lol.

how much do you think its going to run me for the service and the battery replacement?

i have no way of getting the bike from Rhode Island to NH, if you could help me with transporting the bike id really appreciate it! i live in Easton MA and drive a small hatchback and dont have a trailer so i have no way of  getting the bike and am scrambling to find a way of getting it either to my apartment in Easton MA or to a local mechanic.

if you dont mind me asking what makes the place in NH special other than him being a good mechanic, good prices? how much do you think getting the bike back to running order is going to set me back?

A 'really' good mechanic is worth every penny.

Worth the trip - probably both economically and 'emotionally'  [thumbsup] I don't know the price (I'm in Norway)

Hatchback?

(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l394/stopintime/diverse%20uinteressant/Trengerikkehenger_zps4a94c6b7.jpg)

This particular tech worked for 10...or 12 years for BCM...look it up. His rates are well below anything you'll find at a Mass. dealer, and likely an independent shop.

I'm a dinosaur when it comes to prices, but I think you'll spend the grand...more if you need tires, as I believe you do. Call Eric tomorrow, 603-254-7359... tell him what you're up to, ask about pick up...he used to do it, but that was a while ago and he's not quite as hungry as he was when he opened his shop, and that Nate told you to call...I don't think he'll charge you extra. ;D He loves to talk...so don't be in a rush. He'll give you prices.

pm me about transportation if he can't do it...you won't have to stuff it into a VW hatchback. [laugh]

( Lars, you have no idea the memories that image brings back. RIP Anil.)

I think the picture is from here. I'm sorry if using it is inappropriate  :-\

I've talked/emailed to Eric myself and remember thinking 'where have you been all my life'. I've travelled much longer for a unique mechanic even though mine has 'issues with people'.

thats so funny, the car i was talking about is a VW GTI mk6

Not inappropriate at all my friend.

A bunch of years ago, a young man showed up at my shop with his blown up 900 in the back of his Saab.

He died riding that bike after he rebuilt it, with some guidance from me, the very next summer.

All in a lifetime.

thank you, ill give him a call tomorrow and tell him you referred me to him, i local shop it me in MA quoted me 800 and that was for everything (not including tires). i googled it and its a 3 and a half hour trip, i know no one in the states apart from my wife and her family and none of them have a trailer, if i cant find anyone i will for sure PM you :)

That's all well and good... but you are letting your judgement get clouded by your desire.

Last year I bought a '13 796 for $5000 with only 4K miles on it.  I bought it off a guy that bought it new... as his first road bike; it had sat unridden in the garage the year prior.  To do it over again, I would rethink it... primarily because of the plastic tank issue.  I have 7K on it now and it's time for the valves/belts/another rear tire/battery service, roughly $1500 in the Dallas market.  I'm lucky, I was able to turn the tank swelling issue around, but knowing now what I didn't know then... I probably would have passed.

My point is... a 10-year old Ducati can be a handful, maintenance-wise.  Although I'm not questioning the seller's integrity, he is either extraordinarily accommodating, or he really wants to get rid of the bike for some reason.  Half-down/take the title, I'll take it back if you don't like it...

When did a motorcycle purchase become a rational, well thought out decision?

Of course his judgement is clouded by desire...it's supposed to be. ;D

I agree.  Start small and cheap and get the bike of your dreams after a year.   Simple newbie errors are also way more expensive on a Ducati. 

hey guys, after my forum posts and the various replies i got i decided that i would ask the seller some more questions, here are the questions along with the replies:

do you have the service records available?
yes i do have the previous services records from both myself and the previous owner

does it include the two black keys and the red immobilizer key?
yes it includes all 3

do the tires need changed?
the tires will need changed after a season or two, the previous owner changed the tires, they have around 80 left and i dont think they have expired date wise, i will check when im back in state

how long has the bike been sitting unused?
he bike has been sitting unused since september 2016 when i left for training, that makes it around 5 months.

has the plastic tank had an of the common issues?
no sir, not that i have noticed.

and now for the big one...
can you have the bike started by the time i come to look at it?
i understand your concern, i will try my hardest to have the bike running by the time you come and look at it, wether that needs it jumped, charged or a whole new battery.

A battery, fresh fuel and new plugs should do it.


Yep, it's all about mad passion for these bikes. Welcome to the cult, I mean club.

It's 10 years old.

It'll need belts. ;)

DP, you reckon they're original belts? Edit: re-reading the thread I see why you suspect the belts are old and why Lars reckons they should be changed before the bike is started.

You change them every two years or 12000 miles as a precaution. You can go over , but its worse if the bike sits. If they were done just before storage they may just need an adjustment, but the belts have sitting for at least 6 months. You should check them, but where DP is coming from is that you factor cam belts and a valve check into a new purchase if there is any question about them being serviced. I got my last Monster used from a shop that said all their Ducatis were " fully serviced", but the belts looked original from 1995! I checked them after riding home and was grateful they didnt let go.
The seller in this case sounds like a good owner and the service log book will say alot. Edit: good owners who dont understand the peculiarities of Ducatis may think of cars when it comes to cam belts and shops unfamiliar with Ducatis may think the same.