Anyone selling a Monster 620?

[CharliesAngel]

My neighbour just passed the MSF and is in the market to buy a lower cc bike, i.e. around 600.  I've talked him into looking at Ducati's but he can't find one that is used for sale... just thought I'd post a thread here and check in with the DMF since Winter is just around the corner and maybe there's a chance that someone want to clear out so extra space in the garage... maybe for a new bike next year...   

[Popeye the Sailor]

I saw a nifty '82 Honda 250 with drum brakes for sale 


Fyi, I don't think ducs make good starter bikes.

[desmoquattro]

A Monster 620 or 600 might make an OK starter bike, but I generally agree with someguy that you want to start smaller and less nice. Your first bike will get beaten around a bit, so it's good to find something like an EX 250/500 or a GS 500 to start with, then move up o the Monster 620.

The guys at MotoJava are very good about finding you the right starter bike. You might send your friend over there to check out what they have.

Also, be sure to tell your friend to stay away from the inline-4 600's (like the CBR, Ninja, GSXR, and R6). Those 600's are waaaaaaaaay more powerful than a Monster 620, and could get him in trouble.

[ghostrider]

ditto for what the other two said.
if you spend some time on craigslist you can really find some good deals.
we got my wife a 1982 kawi 440 off craiglist for free. it's in great shape too.
just food for thought.

[TCK!]

I'm fat so I went for the 2v 800 for first bike instead of the 620.

[desmoquattro]

I'm fat so I went for the 2v 800 for first bike instead of the 620.

C'mon, man...I expected better from you. Here: I'll step up to the plate on this one:

Turbo 'Busa

[somegirl]

Search on CL for Ninja 250, Ninja 500, EX250, EX500, or GS500.  There's a good number of options now.

[DanTheMan]

I think the 620 is a great starter bike. It was my first bike, even bought it new off the showroom floor.

[desmoquattro]

I think the 620 is a great starter bike. It was my first bike, even bought it new off the showroom floor.

It depends on how crash-prone you are. You started on dirt bikes, so a 620 is probably perfect. For someone with zero riding experience, something that costs a bit less to fix when you drop it.

[CIE]

C'mon guys/gals... For a bunch of motorcycle riders there seems to be some pretty conservative folks around here.  Just because a person hasn't been riding for 10 years doesn't mean that they can't handle  a slightly bigger bike, or are going to crash it.

I think a MSF course is a great start, but when I got my first bike I'd never ridden a street bike.   I didn't take the MSF course.  I was 18 and bought a GSX-R 600.  I think I broke every rule of motorcycling, but I never crashed that bike, never dumped it on the ground or knocked it over.  I sold it with 8k miles looking like the day I bought it.

It can be done.  Pay attention, buy a bike that makes you excited to ride it.  If that's a Duc, then by all means by a Duc.  Get out there and have fun.  I think a 620 or early 750 Monster would make a great first bike.  The low standover height and approachable RPM range is great for beginners.

[desmoquattro]

C'mon guys/gals... For a bunch of motorcycle riders there seems to be some pretty conservative folks around here.

We're seasoned motorcyclists...we're still around because we managed to avoid mistakes like starting on a GSXR 600 

But really: it comes down to maturity and discretion. If you're the type of person who has a healthy respect for the bike, then you can probably get away with starting on a more powerful mount. But if you're the type of person to go for the thrills, then it's probably a good idea to start on a bike with limited power. And the expense of repairing a Ducati (say, after a tipover) may cause some to shy away from riding.

Also, many of us have known people who got hold of too much bike too soon and ended up paying the price. That's the main reason some of us may sound a bit conservative.

[TCK!]

Yeah monsters aren't light that's for sure.

I've caught mine and Mostrobelle's over my head while loading. Luckily a mystery crackhead helped me with 'belles.

[DanTheMan]

It depends on how crash-prone you are. You started on dirt bikes, so a 620 is probably perfect. For someone with zero riding experience, something that costs a bit less to fix when you drop it.

The only riding exp i had was the msf 2 years prior.

[desmoquattro]

The only riding exp i had was the msf 2 years prior.

Really? Your dad was telling us stories during the AMA weekend of you dirt biking as a kid 

[duckwrench13]

I think the main issue is common sense, on the part of the new rider. [moto]

+1 to what has been said so far. 

You can find plenty of smaller displacement inline 4's... CB1's, CB 350-550's... or twins like the 650 Hawk, for reasonable prices.

And yer not fat TCK, yer just big boned! But like he was saying, depending on the physical size of the rider, an EX250, or even a Monster 620, may just be too small to fit the rider's proportions. It's better to have a bike that fits correctly, and learn to used the added power, than to have one that is grossly undersized and undoubtedly will be a poor starting experience. But definitely avoid the newer 600-750's (mid 90's- present), they'll be a bit much to bite off.

And nobody wants to look like the circus bear on the tricycle when they ride!