I’m looking for a second bike, something not too heavy or expensive I can take out for a day for a few hours and just have some fun with friends on lesser powered bikes and just have a ride out without getting the Multistrada out. someone said to look at a Monster, so with there being so many models I’m wondering if someone on here can point me in the right direction with regards to getting a good one. I’d prefer something around the 600-800cc rang and roughly around £5-£6k tops tbh. I’ve read the reviews on MCN on the 696 and 797 so far and they seem good, anyone got any tips or pointers for me? Thanks.
This probably doesn't help either, but looking at the whole range, depending on what you mean by "lesser power" and whether you need your modern creature comforts but I would thoroughly recommend a first generation time-warp low mileage M750 if you could find one. This is down to personal taste, but all the 2nd Gen Monsters with the plastic tank covers were soul-less for me apart from the 1100. Maybe a third gen 821?
There's broadly three eras of Monsters. '93 to 2000. First version, no frills, carbs, air cooled 600cc to 900cc '01 '06. Same style as above but fuel injected. Some water cooled models appear(Monster with a 916 engine!) 07 to '20. Major change in styling and most bikes feature ABS, anti wheelie & electronic everything together with increased BHP '21 onwards. Bike is called a Monster but has no continuity with any that came before it save for a Ducati badge.
I have a M900 Monster which I never ride it just sits in the garage gathering dust, I just don’t see a Monster as a better proposition as a second bike. Trident will have all the goodies QS, TC maybe anti wheelie, I’d buy the Trident as a second bike if I had an Adv bike.
yers it is, I don't know what the "official" line is here, but I see a range of 4 in total myself up to now. What the factory say and what the owners say are often different.
I had the same mindset a few years back.. I got a M696 alongside the 1098. It was great. Lots of fun, uncomplicated and being less "precious" than the big bike, I rode it more. If it rained.. it didn't really matter. Stuck some decent tyres on it, fitted the 796 rear shock mount to raise the back a little and that was it. Cheap to look after, reliable and they're now not that expensive. If that's all the criteria you need to fill, then I'd personally not bother with the old carb models. Nostalgia is becoming unreliable and expensive to buy a good one.
I'd say S2r 800 with a few tweaks, better looking than some of the later stuff (and a bit more special than the early ones !) and more than fast enough for the real world but then I am biased... Your budget should get one with a bit left over to do a few upgrades as well
1100s? or high miles 1200 with history. Not often do manufacturers go backwards. The later the better. cc? Meh. they only give what you ask.
Nelly had a 797 courtesy bike a few years ago too. That was an awesome ride too. Personally I thought the 1200s and 821 were less of a Monster than any of them and not that exciting to ride either but each to their own.
This is of course true Chris, clearly Ducati know what sells. You very rarely or at least I don’t see models heavily discounted unlike some other manufacturers. About the only Ducati that appeals to me is the Hypermotard these days.
