Possibly buying a used Monster 696, need advice

[kdogg077]

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.

[stopintime]

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/

[kdogg077]

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.

[stopintime]

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 

[Raux]

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.

[Privateer]

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

[lazylightnin717]

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/4988987304.html

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

[kdogg077]

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://allentown.craigslist.org/mcy/4949367480.html

[kdogg077]

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.

[koko64]

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.

[brad black]

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. 

[koko64]

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

[ungeheuer]

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.
 

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.

[Raux]

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.

[kdogg077]

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.