Ducati Monster Road Test

[SmokeEm122]

wow high quality review. well done, thank you

[Mike82ARP]

A great review. Thanks!

[mrdainase]

Good to see a M750 given a ride out.  From a personal perspective, my '98 example was 100% reliable and urban riding was not the annoying experience others describe. Guess the clutch didn't bother me even if the turning circle did! The slight overreach position did mean I had to readjust myself every 10 miles or so but the way it hunkered down on B-roads was just fabulous. Lastly, the bikini fairing may look gay but it really does help cut the wind down.

[zigenarsvin]

actually its a better bike than the ss-series because the frame is from the 851. A real racingframe!

[GraceEverlasting7]

i loooooove ducati <3

[5li3e]

i had a monster 900,i miss it every day except that heavy dry clutch !

[88robi88]

e se abitate in cita guidate un mostro di ducati :D ahaha

[tysonrobi]

good test tnx

[benjyboba]

If that bikes anything like the supersport models, it's good fun to ride.

[synthadict]

get the speed triple!

[yalexfumi46]

vamos que este modelo es una mierda...es lo k dice el tio k no vale pa na

[Ryosaeba24]

tu eres una mierda and valentino rossi es mierda ahhahahaha

[alessandro685]

TU E PEDROSA SIETE DELLE MERDE!!!

[Ered00]

Hi all, I need some advice: I want to buy a Ducati monster to do short trips on weekends with my girlfriend. I wonder is the bike is confortable for two people. Thanks

[stevenjeh]

I just went to a Ducati dealer and sat on one of these bikes. They come with a single person seat so I wouldn't suggest one for what you're looking for. It is a pretty small bike, I don't think doubling up on it would be in the least bit comfortable. -imo

[aldod22]

I own a monster of course you have two seats, it's confortable but remember it's a short bike, so unless your girlfriend is too tall you won't have a problem if she is like my girl... prepere those nuts to be crushed

[geonlansis]

I own a monster 600 and the seat is small and curved in a way so you'll be more forward or "in" the bike. The whole seat is very short, and no matter how small a passenger behind, your stuff is still gonna get crushed.

[PitPat23]

which bike should i get ....the monster 1000 or the speed triple?

[stevenjeh]

I just sat on one of these bikes at a dealer. They come with a single seat stock and they are relatively small bikes. I wouldn't suggest it for what you're looking for; however, they have an awesome aura about them that makes you yearn to ride one.

[darkside1it]

pizza ,mandolino, sophia loren...ma porca puttena

[toro199999]

BMW K1200R rules..!!

[minchia80]

Le MOTO, non le bici.

[DrivenandRidden]

Oui Oui, tres bon.

[antonio22edu]

The ducati monster is a very nice bike but if it was my money i will wait and save some around 30 000$ to buy the Ducati 1098 Tricolore.Wich is one of the most powerfull motorbikes ever made.

[albijohnson]

Thanks very much for a great review.

[FunFuckingTastic]

kawasaki ninja rules man that is real POWER!!!!!!!!!:)))))

[mrLECHOO]

I expect sound, not power !

[tobust]

omg mate its a ducati ! i would kill for 1 !!!! id be in prison for 20 years and not able to ride it but id still kill for it !!!!

its fukin hot !!! whats rong with you man !!!

[Joe7946]

every time i hear the word ducati i think POWER! :)

[Ryosaeba24]

eheheh nick listen BIKE in english means motorcycle... if you translate bike with the word BICI you dont mean motorcycle but bycicle

however i own a monster 695 incredible...

[DrivenandRidden]

I know this now, thanks. Told you I couldn't speak Italian!

Cheers

Nick

[BestestMoron]

I had decided to get the SV650FS in the next couple weeks, but then I went to the Ducati site and saw the new Monster 696... and now I am confused.

They say that the 696 rectified all the problems the previous Monster had.. and if so I really can't wait for a professional review like this one on the 696 and a CONCLUSIVE comparison with all the competition.

[DrivenandRidden]

For me the Ducati wins everytime. If you can afford one, buy one!

kind regards

Nick Hine

[BestestMoron]

THANK YOU.

I sure can afford it.. but i have always aspired riding a sport bike (forward leaning).. and that is the SINGLE MOST reason why I am leaning towards the SV650FS. I hope it will give me enough skills to later move on to more aggressive sport bikes.

Do you think, the 696 would help me as much in developing my skills as the SV650FS would?? Particularly since it is a straight sitting bike and not a leaning forward one??

I LOVE the looks of the 696.. What about wind protection??

[BestestMoron]

I live in Houston (City traffic) with lots of freeways (65 to 80mph).

Would the nakedness of the 696 be a problem in your opinion?

I am planning on getting the SV650FS and changing its Suspensions and possible its brakes also to a really good one.. Once the upgrades are performed, do you think the 696 would still be a better buy??

I understand it is just your personal opinion, but I highly value experienced opinions.. so please do not hesitate and give me your thoughts.

THANKS A MILLION.

[DrivenandRidden]

Hi there

All monsters have more of a forward stance than you might expect, you must have a try if you haven't already. As for upgrading the brakes/suspension on an SV650, personally I believe it's always cheaper to buy a better bike in the first place. The brakes/suspension on the Ducati are better out of the crate. Have you considered a proper sportsbike? For less than an upgraded SV but with top notch components and better wind protection.

Happy hunting.

Nick Hine

[sportzman2004]

I HIGHLY recommend the Monster 696. It really is a quality product. If you haven't already, make sure to check out the bike in person. It is definitely very sporty and pictures do not do it justice. Also, it does have a pretty forward leaning style to it. You would not be disappointed!

[otakuoni]

sexy and fun, but more temperamental than a woman!

Speak to an owner first :)

[Paolosuzuki85]

The engine is super??? Ma x favore.. è orribile da guidare , con l'effetto on off dei 2 cilindri = fa caccare i sassi

[miguelcarvalho2008]

I love this bike!

I'm not a biker - yet - but I've decided it's perfect for me. And I'll get her soon.

"The Monster makes you have fun even if you're not in a mood". What more could you whish for?

[Trulyloyale]

I'm Italian and I dislike valentino rossi and there are many like me in Italy .

[DrivenandRidden]

Sorry for my sweeping generalisation. We Brits would love to see our own home grown champion!

[Trulyloyale]

Never mind , Nick I wouldn't call your words "sweeping generalisation" 'cos it's true that majority of Italians are valentino fans .

I just wanted to underline that there's a significant minorance of Italians who don't like rossi's driving style and got annoyed by the world opinion who says rossi is so great. We believe that he was not that great

as he has always driven superior bykes till 2 years ago .

I thank you for you kindness Nick, but there's no need for you to apologize . Bye

[CODmusk]

my cuzin Hans jacked off to this video 3 times

[DrivenandRidden]

He is indeed one sick puppy!

[truebrit87]

Hi DrivenandRidden, great vid...

Whats the smallest (Height) rider would you recommened on Monster?

[qwertuzi]

Vai ducatiiiiiiiiiiii campioni del mondo 2007!!!

W il desmo, telaio a traliccio, e frizione a secco, un mix di passione made in italy!!

[M900Sie]

I herd the largest change this bike has seen in 14 years is the new rear view mirrors. If you couldnt guess, i do ride a 2001 M900S.i.e and love it.

[derbiPROrevolution]

air cooled?=/ but still cool:)

[gstyle67]

I've been riding my 695 for over a year now, and I have watched this video about 5 times now. You do nail the idiosyncrasies of the bike, and your overall assessment is perfect. The only thing about Monsters is the urge all owners have to modify them!

I've redone the front spring cartridges and gotten a new Ohlins in back, and NOW it's a great handling bike. Almost anything on the bike can be altered for form or function!

I can't wait to see how the new 696 is received by the public!

[jorkjica]

Are the Monsters so unchanged that reviewing a 1998 model will inform you as to a 2006 Monster? I guess I'm wondering why a 2006 review is covering a 1998 model...review of a vintage bike? I want one...

[DrivenandRidden]

Monsters evolve I guess. They're not radically different from when they first came out and are still a very similar experience. We'll test a new Monster when we have one to test I guess!

Cheers

Nick Hine

[jorkjica]

Don't get me wrong, I greatly enjoyed this review. I saw a Monster review on YouTube made by another English gentleman. He was in his late 50's to 60's. Apparently has a show in Britain; saw him review the "fizzies" from the 1970's as well but was removed from Utube. Does this ring a bell, if so, do you know his name?

[DrivenandRidden]

Hi

The only review of a Fizzy I've seen was done by James May from Top Gear. A gentleman he is, but 60 he is not. It could have been Rod Gibson from Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine, he's done some TV shows and has white hair making him look older than he is?

Hope this helps

Nick Hine

[shiralee007]

You mention that you have 2 1/2 Italian children and the Ducati does not give you the horn like they do! (Sweet Mother of God - are you after entering the hallowed hall of fame of Sir Jimmy Saville )

seriously though-Love the vids they are great

[DrivenandRidden]

What worries is me how peoples minds work!

[ScaniaGG]

Ducati Made in ITALY_________ The best bike

[jorkjica]

What was his response at the end? Could he go and spend his hard earned cash on one?

Forci...was that his answer? What does it mean?

[DrivenandRidden]

Forse = Maybe

Indecisive, me, well I'm not sure!

[disndat11]

Well I was torn between this and a Harley Nightster.. After seeing this review and hearing about the reliability issues, I'll go with the Nightster. I already have a sportster and it is super reliable.

[sgt7]

i had a monster 600 '02'. beautiful to drive. no power though.

[Ryosaeba24]

Best and first Naked On The world.... the greatest success of all

[unexplained666]

lol, driving a bike with the headlight off... buehehe

[tosooososo]

bike is not bicicletta (bicycle), bike is moto..

[manwem00f]

hanno usato il traduttore di google :P

[strallo]

V-Twin, L-Twin, who gives a damn ? A Suzuki SV has a 90 degree v Twin, why? Because the front Zylinder is not parallel to the ground. In Ducatis, it is. And thats why its called a L-Twin. But i don´t care, it is and remains a V2 !!!

[emiliosantana]

Ducati is the best bike in the world! Like my brother says it's got a dual personality, it doesn't do slow well but does fast like a cadillac rocket!

[88robi88]

guarda che non guidiamo bici pelatino, guidiamo moto! non usare il traduttore automatico!

[mozzateste]

Hey dude....Il tuo Italiano is 'BUONO....take care!!!

[mark3748]

v-twins are 45-degrees, L-twins are 90-degree, i.e. one is shaped like a V and the other, like an L

[carguymitch]

Just for the record, a v-twin isn't confined to 45 degrees. It can be of any angle. 45 degrees is a common angle but not the only one.

[stillben]

your children shouldn't give you any kind of horn.

[addys]

A L twin isn't really diffrent from a V twin. In some cases a simple matter of rolling the "V" shape forward so that it more resembles an "L".

[eduardodilascio]

In fact is an "L" engine.

[supraking21]

90 degree v twin

[ijr900]

v twin???

[contrabandan]

L twin