Not a Monster Owner.... Yet

[Spider]

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.

[ducmeister]

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.

[capri_v6]

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

[heatherp]

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.

[ducmeister]

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.

[Betty]

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

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

[loony888]

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!

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.

paul.