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Is Ducati Monster 620 (or even 695) a beginner bike?
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June 4, 2008 at 3:08 am #1466AnonymousGuest
Any plans in the future for featurring a full bike review for them?
June 4, 2008 at 3:10 am #6954AnonymousGuestNo.
June 4, 2008 at 3:12 am #6955AnonymousGuestThanks for the answer! Why not?
June 4, 2008 at 3:21 am #6956megaspazParticipantThis srsly looks like some split personality issue…
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 4, 2008 at 3:49 am #6959ShannonGParticipantToo. Much. Power.
June 4, 2008 at 3:50 am #6960AnonymousGuestRead “Why a 600cc Motorcycle is Not a Good Beginner Bike” in the “Beginner Motorcycle Guides” on this web site.
The 650 that *is* generally considered a reasonable beginner bike (the Suzuki S40) is very light weight for a 650 and whilst it has bags of torque, is not fast.
June 4, 2008 at 4:40 am #6964AaronMerlotParticipantWith “Monster” in the name I think you can safely assume it is going to be a lot to handle for an inexperienced and untrained person. Live today to ride again tomorrow. Please read https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum-topic/609/food-thought
June 4, 2008 at 5:27 am #6968megaspazParticipantIf you want a speedy, good beginners bike @ ~650cc, look at an sv650/s/sf.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 4, 2008 at 1:26 pm #6980MattParticipantReviews for the monster 620 say that it is no worse a beginner bike than the SV650 or Ninja 650.
(The 695 is more powerful, and the 696 has a whole host of handling and power upgrades that work great for experienced riders, but work against learning without stress).It makes less power than most 600cc street bikes (Honda 599, SV 650, etc) and handles fairly well without being uber twitchy.
Is it an ideal starter? No.
Despite making similar power to other quasi-starter bikes, it makes (a lot?) more than 250s or 500s.From a purely practical point of view, the monster is a very expensive bike, even used. Ducatis are notorious for requiring a great deal fo mechanical attention (“Ducati, making mechanics out of riders since 1941”), and there is simply nothing inexepensive on or about any Ducati. Replacement parts and labour will not be cheap.
The Monster was designed as an intro to Ducati, not as an intro to motorcycles (despite what the salesmen will tell you). In many respects it is like a BMW 3 series. Can you learn to drive on a 3? Yes. Should you? No. The vehciles are driving machines, they expect you to already have all the muscle-memory and skills required.
If you really want a Duck (and I can’t say I blame you, I love the Monster 620 Dark) then buy a used Ninja 250. Ride it for one year to develop proper counter steering and weight/boy positioning skills. Once you are comfortable flipping that bike about, sell it off for what you paid for it and buy your dream Monster. Any money lost on the sale of the Ninja will be more than made up for by the depreciation of the Ducati. And the Duck will be doubly special when you are used to the acceleration of a 250.
Ben, I know you’ve already got a list of bikes to add, but you might want to consider reviewing some of these bikes that are being advertised as beginner friendly bikes. Show why they aren’t as good as others, and what better alternatives might be…
June 4, 2008 at 1:44 pm #6981DaveGuestAs far as rideability goes I think the Monster 620 is a very good bike to start with. The Seat is quite low, and even myself, with a 32″ inseam could easily get both feet flat. The seating postion is fairly straight up, and although I wouldn’t say it’s exceptionaly comfortable it does make controling the bike quite easy. The power is not overwhelming, only around 50hp so similar to my GS500, and it comes on quite smoothly. I found the clutch to be a little stiff, but not horrible.
I think the only downfall is cost and maintenance. However, if you need to ride something different and have money to burn, why not.
I haven’t ridden the 695 or upcoming 696 so I can really comment on them. Specs show about 70hp…on par with an SV650, which is recomended as a starter. As such, I think if you are familiar with the basic controls of a motorcycle, it wouldn’t be the worst choice for a first bike.
Dave
-GS500EJune 4, 2008 at 3:08 pm #6983AzN LogiKParticipantYou also have to take into account you’re probably gonna down your first bike a couple times, so that’s why the rest of us get beater bikes that we won’t care too much about if we down it. On the other hand, if you’re rich, and money is no object to you, then that’s another story. Either way, if you want to learn fast, get a 250cc or 500cc. It also might be embarrassing if experienced riders see you ride funny on a nice bike; they won’t be laughing with you, rather at you. Just my 2 cents.
June 4, 2008 at 7:17 pm #6994MattParticipantDave, I’m not sure if you are disagreeing with me, or the people above me…
I’m with you in saying that from a riding perspective it isn’t any worse than any of the other 650 twins (SV650).
It does make a healthy bit more peak torque than the GS500 (59Nm vs 29Nm).
But it makes less power and torque than the SV650S (SV650 72hp 65Nm, Ducatti 620 is 63hp, 59Nm).http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/downloads/dynocharts/dynocharts-Ducati-2005-Ducati-Monster-620Dark.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_GS500
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650SSo yes, if you are prepared to learn on a SV650, powerwise the Ducati won’t be any more difficult.
Personally, I’m agaisnt calling the 650s proper beginner bikes, I’m a firm believer in learning small and moving up. There are very good reasons teh MSF doesn’t use 650s in their classes. But I’m also comfortable in saying that after a season of riding a 250 (or less if you ride regularily) the 650s won’t be too much of a jump.
My real issue with the Duck is the cost. Total cost of ownership is much higher on a Ducati than a less exotic bike. And dropping a Duck will be comparatively expensive.
Anyways, my 2 cents have been said (twice now… so is that 4 cents?)
June 4, 2008 at 7:51 pm #6996AnonymousGuestI agree with Matt; and no I’m not Matt signing anonymous
I don’t think any 650 (with the possible exception of the Suzuki S40) is a suitable beginners bike.
It’s not rank beginners who suggest 650s as beginners bikes, it’s riders with more experience who’ve forgotten their wobbly, scary beginnings in riding.
Start with a 250, that’ll give you plenty of challenges without rocketing off when you hit a pothole or when you panic and do the wrong thing in a corner.
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