Purchase decision - help needed! (New user)

[Sprezza]

Hi folks,

I realise this question is similar to the one posed in the 'would a monster do the job' thread, but wanted to ask a few more specific questions.

I am sitting my test in 2 weeks time and really, really want to buy a M620. I'm going to be using it to commute to work (25 miles or so along the M4 into London), so I'll be riding all year round.

So:

1. Is it wise to subject a 620 to a lot of crappy weather?
2. What precautions are wise to take to reduce impact of weather on bike? eg. extra protection, add ons, etc.
3. Where can I find out about all the regular cleaning I should do to keep it in good nick? I know next to nothing about bikes, so need an idiot's guide.
4. Should I even be considering the 620 as a first bike? Other bikes I have considered are BMW F650 (bit ugly, sounds a bit buzzy), the Multistrada (not keen on appearance) and Suzuki Bandit 600 (sensible I guess, but dull).

Any help / advice really appreciated.

Cheers.

[philthy]

Hi folks,

I know next to nothing about bikes, so need an idiot's guide.

Cheers.

You've come to the right place then!

I can't find my guide , but I'm sure there'll be another idiot along in a moment.

By the way, welcome, and as is the custom here I,ll have a southern comfort while you're at the virtual bar thanks.

[wogger]

Hey up next idiot here, welcome mines a Waggle Dance,pint of, just my opinion but, get the baby Multi good riding position, great fun bike to ride and ideal commuter.

Cheers Wogger

[clockwork orange]

Welcome to the nuthouse! Large glass of red please, and agree with wogger - get the multi.

[Dementor]

Welcome, unbiased opinion, get a Multistroodle, you can't see what they look like when you're on em, just avoid shop windows :D

[Herb]

1. Is it wise to subject a 620 to a lot of crappy weather?


Cheers.

I don't think the 620 will be any worse than any other bike in terms of how it handles **** weather / salt etc

I rode my old SS through last winter and the finish has not suffered at all as far as I can tell. I hosed the bike down with cold water after every ride to get the salt off. I would do this with any bike. Its a pain when all you want to do is get into the warm but you have to be disciplined if you want your bike to stay nice.

[Sprezza]

http://www.bottledbeer.co.uk/photos/waggledance.jpg
http://www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/licensingweb.nsf/PPix/licensing/$File/glass+of+red+wine.jpg
http://www.marions-kochbuch.de/index-bilder/southern-comfort.jpg

That's you lot sorted...

Thanks for the advice - I guess I'll go take another look at the MS. Of course, need to pass my test first... theory in a week, DAS a few days later. Bring it on.

[clockwork orange]

:lol: :lol:

[skidlids]

Hopefully RedRuth will reply to this thread as she specifically went out and got herself a Monster 620 at the end of last year for riding in the winter. By all accounts its coped with it very well, she also takes it on tours of various parts of the country, like the Lake District. http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/showthread.php?t=34205

Links to pics of Ruthies 620 all loaded up

[twpd]

As much as I love Ducatis (I have 4) I can't help thinking that you would be better off with a Honda CB500. The CB5 is eminently suited to this sort of use.

I am not saying the M620 won't handle it but, would you really want to subject a lovely new 620 to this sort of treatment? The 620 will be reliable providing it is looked after but, IME no Ducati tolerates abuse well and the chances are (no offence intended) given that you are a complete biking novice, the bike will suffer. A 5 year old £1500 CB5 would be better for you to cut your tetth on, it won't be worth much so you will not lose much through depreciation brought on by the ravages of miles, weather and falling off.

Once you've got some experience under your belt - buy a Monster, keep it for fun & good weather days...still keep using the CB5 for hacking on.

[Sprezza]

As much as I love Ducatis (I have 4) I can't help thinking that you would be better off with a Honda CB500. The CB5 is eminently suited to this sort of use.

I am not saying the M620 won't handle it but, would you really want to subject a lovely new 620 to this sort of treatment? The 620 will be reliable providing it is looked after but, IME no Ducati tolerates abuse well and the chances are (no offence intended) given that you are a complete biking novice, the bike will suffer. A 5 year old £1500 CB5 would be better for you to cut your tetth on, it won't be worth much so you will not lose much through depreciation brought on by the ravages of miles, weather and falling off.

Once you've got some experience under your belt - buy a Monster, keep it for fun & good weather days...still keep using the CB5 for hacking on.

Thanks for the sensible advice. Saved me a lot of money and heartache I reckon by dragging me back to reality :sniff:

Think I will get hold of a Jap for the winter miles, then in Spring '07...

http://www.uncommonmotorcycles.com/images/ducati/m620.jpg

...whoo hoo!!!!

So, Bandit 600 or CB500 until Spring?

[Sprezza]

Hopefully RedRuth will reply to this thread as she specifically went out and got herself a Monster 620 at the end of last year for riding in the winter. By all accounts its coped with it very well, she also takes it on tours of various parts of the country, like the Lake District. http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/showthread.php?t=34205

Links to pics of Ruthies 620 all loaded up

Looks good!

[misterpink]

going to get lynched now but here goes... have you seen the yamaha MT-03?

or combining the sensible posts previous - get a cheap 600 monster - there was one for sale on the board here just serviced for 1,750 or near offer - if i knew how to link i would. Good luck with the test.

[clockwork orange]

I am not saying the M620 won't handle it but, would you really want to subject a lovely new 620 to this sort of treatment? The 620 will be reliable providing it is looked after but, IME no Ducati tolerates abuse well and the chances are (no offence intended) given that you are a complete biking novice, the bike will suffer. A 5 year old £1500 CB5 would be better for you to cut your tetth on, it won't be worth much so you will not lose much through depreciation brought on by the ravages of miles, weather and falling off.

I must say I don't agree - got a used monster 620 as my first bike just over 2 years ago and found it brilliant. Just could never get on with the riding position so traded it for the multi a year later - never looked back. Would recommend either as a first bike with no hesitation, especially now they have the light action clutch.

Yeah, the engine paint does peel - but has nothing to do with winter riding. Mine peeled in spite of not having seen salt, religiously washed and covered in F365. So now I don't bother too much with the washing just make sure its lubed etc and ride it.

[multi600]

Get the Multi or the Monster. Never mind any of this Jap stuff. I put 42,000 miles on my multi in 18 months and that was two winters. No problems and always scrubbed up ok.

Mike

[Sprezza]

Get the Multi or the Monster. Never mind any of this Jap stuff. I put 42,000 miles on my multi in 18 months and that was two winters. No problems and always scrubbed up ok.

Mike

Hmmm - that sounds good....

What is your opinion on a Monster as a first bike?

[multi600]

If I could only have one bike it would have to be a monster. Best if you can have a few bikes, but Monsters are great. They are user friendly and make a great first bike. I do 500 miles a week just getting to work and back and am currently using my wifes 600 Monster and I just love it.

Mike

[Loz]

Agree with twpd here. My 750ie Sport saw continuous action for three years, all year, all weather. The finish suffered terribly, despite spraying Scott Protector on it and hosing it down after salty roads; I feel horribly guilty at treating a Ducati that way. A cheap hack is the only way forward here, get one and, if you can afford it, get a nice M620 for playing. London roads are a harsh playground for any nice bike.

O0ps, forgot - more importantly, welcome to the DSC. A double Jack Daniels for me, might make my poorly foot feel better! :)

[multi600]

I can't understand why people want to ride round on a 'hack' (the term indicates seen better days to me) at a time of year when you you need the best you can get to compensate for the **** roads and other prevailing conditions and the dumb blind drivers etc. Sorry but thats just how I feel. Get the monster Sprezza. If you get a Honda you wont want to clean it, so would you rather ride a dirty Ducati which rides like a dream and may just save your life this winter or do you want to ride some dirty old Jap bike which may let you down. Remember two years unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance with all new Ducatis.


Mike

[Sprezza]

Thanks again for the continuing comments.

Might this be a compromise?

http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/showthread.php?t=31881

Loz:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/Mohawk_matt/JackDaniels.jpg

[Loz]

Sprezza, that brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Get the M600 for around £1750 and you can still afford a CB500 or Bandit for bad old London. :)

[Sprezza]

Pleasure.

That M600 looks to be in pretty good nick?

It is a W and has been standing for a couple of years... what are the main things to look for?

[Loz]

Belts would be the main issue but if Neil at Cornerspeed has been looking after it, you'll have no worries at all.

[skidlids]

Only had my 600 Monster Hack for about 2 months now, I've done 2500 miles in that time riding it up and down the A34 to work and back.
I picked it up cheap from a advert off this message board. Its less of a hack now than it was as I have stripped and regreased all the rear suspension, dumped the original front rubber brake hose and fitted a aeroquip hose along with new pads. repaired the broken engine bolt and swapped the bent bars.
I find it a great little bike for just throwing my leg over and going for a hack about on. Good tyres, good brakes (now) and the suspension all works pretty much as it you would expect on what has always been a built to budget bike.
Its 10 years old with 47k on the clock which is kmh but has a speed convertor fitted so its done in excess of 30K miles, probably seen a few winter roads in that time and is STILL a good little bike

[chris.p]

Belts would be the main issue but if Neil at Cornerspeed has been looking after it, you'll have no worries at all.


Belts, oil & fork seal & fork oil changed last week (Cornerspeed) carbs reset, MOT & Taxed last week.

It is a bargain.

Chris.:burn:

[Shandy]

Hmmm - that sounds good....

What is your opinion on a Monster as a first bike?

A great first bike and generaly a great bike, bought my M600 nearly three years ago and have not looked back. As others have said easy to ride, good fun and lots of grin factor. One thing i would say is if your going for all year round riding you've got the right idea aiming for a later fuel injected model if your budget will allow, the older carb models like mine can suffer from carb icing in colder/damper conditions.

Cheers,

Shandy

[clockwork orange]

One thing to consider with a monster is - how tall are you? If you are over about 5'10" or so, test ride it first as it may be uncomfortably cramped. But a great first bike.

[Sprezza]

One thing to consider with a monster is - how tall are you? If you are over about 5'10" or so, test ride it first as it may be uncomfortably cramped. But a great first bike.

5'9" so should be OK.

Just got into work now after spending 3 hrs stationary in a car on the M4 (should be a 50 min journey). Sitting there watching all the bikes filtering through.

Not jealous, honest.

[Shandy]

One thing to consider with a monster is - how tall are you? If you are over about 5'10" or so, test ride it first as it may be uncomfortably cramped. But a great first bike.

At 6'4" I don't have any problems, admittedly I’ve made couple of adjustments along the way, rear suspension jack up kit, Corbin seat and foot peg positions which all make it easy to ride. At 5'9" you should have no problems at all.

If anything my monster is more comfortable and easier to ride than my 916 but then they are different animals.

Cheers,

Shandy

[clockwork orange]

5'9" so should be OK.

Just got into work now after spending 3 hrs stationary in a car on the M4 (should be a 50 min journey). Sitting there watching all the bikes filtering through.

Not jealous, honest.

Liar! I'm always jealous of the bikes when I have to go up to London!!

[Tantrum992]

Hey up next idiot here, welcome mines a Waggle Dance,pint of, just my opinion but, get the baby Multi good riding position, great fun bike to ride and ideal commuter.

Cheers Wogger


Or you could get a man sized one :lol: i know where there's one for sale ;) :)

Welcome and mines a Guiness with a Jamesons in the top, cheers :)