Ducati Monster - Not as Monstrous as you Would Expect (Ducati Monster 600)

Member Name: hotrock4

Product:	Ducati Monster 600
Date:	04/06/09 (458 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fuel economy/Handling

Disadvantages: Acceleration/Top end

Hi I picked up a 1998 Ducati Monster for £1000 back in 2006 (Exactly the same as bike pictured above). I must admit i fell in love with it the minute i set eyes on it with the ladder style frame twin exhausts and rear seat cowling in place.

When i first rode this bike i was very impressed with the handling and impressed with how well it held the road. The acceleration was not what i expected from a Ducati but from a 600 naked cafe racer style bike not bad. It goes fairly well and will keep up with most things until 80 but up but up above that it slows down with a top end of only around 110.

The upside down front forks as standard look very nice in the gold and do their job adding to the handling capabilities no end. The brakes on this vehicle are superb and will stop you in no time.

For a small bike the ride comfort is excellent, making it an ideal commuter or weekend fun bike. Despite Ducati's bad reputation for reliability I never had one problem with this bike and i used it every morning for work. Maintenence is not as expensive as you might think if you are willing to buy a manual and do a bit of learning. Parts were also far cheaper than i expected and i was ordering direct from Ducati.

I would say the fuel consumption could be up to 40 maybe even 45 miles per gallon if rode sensibly but if road hard will drop straight to 20mpg.

Overall a good bike from Ducati. In my eyes this bike only lives up to the Ducati reputation in the way of looks and frame technology with the engine being the main stressing point of the bike. However i would say in terms of perfomance this bike falls short of of fore-mentioned reputation.

Summary: All round good reliable bike.

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