Ducati Monster 2006
DUCATI MONSTER 620 (2001 - 2006) Review
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At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £50 |
| Power: | 63 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (30.3 in / 770 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (370 lbs / 168 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)
Ducatis inspire passion and the M620 offers a way into the dream for those who are just starting out. Like its stablemates, it looks great and sounds gorgeous but complaints about lack of power, basic suspension and its physical size (it's very small) mean the Ducati M620 Monster is not for everyone.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The seat's low and the motorcycle is light and small: perfect for some, cramped and uncomfortable for others. The Ducati M620 Monster has low ground clearance which can prove a problem if you're "on it", as can the soft-ish standard suspension settings and less-than-sharp steering. The light clutch is designed to lessen real wheel chatter on quick down changes. The Brembo brakes are excellent.
Engine
Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The Ducati M620 Monster offers 35cc and 9bhp more than its predecessor, the Ducati M600 Monster. Its air-cooled, Desmodromic engine has plenty of useable power but experienced bikers will find it lacking.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)
Good build quality and finish (the frame's taken from the Ducati Monster S4R), that alluring logo on the tank and a traditionally juicy-sounding exhaust add up to an attractive package with the little Ducati M620 Monster. Ducatis don't have the best reputation for dependability, however, and parts are pricey. Loyal owners ignore all this, however, and love 'em anyway.
Value vs rivals
Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The Ducati M620 Monster might cost a little more than it's Japanese rivals (Suzuki SV650, Honda CBF600, Kawasaki's ER-6n etc) but you're buying into an Italian legend so a lot of riders are happy to pay the difference. Ducati reliability can be patchy so be prepared for more than yearly servicing. Find a Ducati M620 Monster for sale.
Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
Fairly basic, no gadgetry here… the Ducati M620 Monster doesn't even have a fuel gauge. However, the electronic dash does have an LCD clock and a fuel reserve light. There are extras aplenty to choose from: carbon fibre body parts, performance upgrade kits, bars, brakes, pegs etc from aftermarket suppliers. The Ducati M620 Monster is great for customising but it might be cheaper to just buy a different motorcycle.
Specs | |
| Engine size | 618cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 4v V-twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Steel trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 14 litres |
| Seat height | 770mm |
| Bike weight | 168kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload and rebound |
| Front brake | Twin 300mm discs |
| Rear brake | 245mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/60 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 160/60 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance | |
| Average fuel consumption | 44 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £96 |
| Annual service cost | £50 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group | 11 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance | |
| Max power | 63 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 41 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 125 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.3 secs |
| Tank range | 130 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2001: Ducati M620 Monster i.e. , Dark and "S" versions launched: fuel injected and with a larger engine than the earlier Ducati Monster 600. Also comes with headlight cowl. The Dark comes with just one front disc and five gears.
2003: Ducati M620 Monster and Ducati M620 Monster Dark take over from i.e. versions. S version discontinued. Dark comes with either twin front discs/6 gear or single disc/5 gear options.
2004: Both Ducati M620 Monster and Ducati M620 Monster Dark get new, lighter clutch.
2005: Revised, wet plate clutch.
Other versions
Ducati Monster 620S: "Sport" version with aluminium swingarm, taller seat, more ground clearance and a headlight cover. Discontinued at the end of 2003.
Ducati M620 Monster Dark: cheaper, meaner-looking, matt black version of the standard Ducati M620 Monster, minus a screen and a seat cowl.
MCN Long term test reports
Bike of the day: Ducati Monster 620 S
A fantastic introduction into Ducati ownership, this Ducati Monster is today's bike of the day. Seller says "My Ducati Monster S is in exceptional condition. It looks and rides like new. I know the two previous owners, who are both bike fanatics and you can see that this bike has been loved. The 620…
Read the latest report
Owners' reviews for the DUCATI MONSTER 620 (2001 - 2006)
3 owners have reviewed their DUCATI MONSTER 620 (2001 - 2006) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your DUCATI MONSTER 620 (2001 - 2006)
Summary of owners' reviews | |
| Overall rating: | 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5) |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Engine: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Reliability & build quality: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Value vs rivals: | 3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5) |
| Equipment: | 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5) |
| Annual servicing cost: | £50 |
4 out of 5 Mini Monster Mega Smile
28 March 2017
Version: M620ie
Year: 2006
Annual servicing cost: £50
Fun and grin inducing little monster. Perfect commuter with enough grunt to have some fun. I bought this for my sons to use as the 2 year 47hp bike. It will need the restrictor fitted for that. The riding position is good for learners giving easy all round visibilty compared to a prone position.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
I love this bike. I have 3 Ducatis and this is the smallest and possibly the most fun. Great little engine in a fantastic chassis designed for more power that is never going to be overwhelmed.The brakes are more than enough , the 600 only had one front disc and that would probably be enough here too. I'm not the lightest person but the bike copes very well , even two up .
Engine 4 out of 5
Surprisingly torquey , I never need to thrash it on my 18 mile commute, the bike pulls all the way to its top speed and that delicious noise is probably made better by the lack of dry clutch plates rattling.
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
My 2006 has very little corrosion. The petrol tank is plastic eliminating the potential to rust as some earlier Ducatis did. The clocks have cracks on many monsters but mine is perfect. Engine paint is starting to peel but mostly in the areas that experience impact from road grit throwing up , understandably. Quality fasteners and materials mean ducatis are generally better to work on and that is the case here.
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
I do my own servicing and on this monster that is easy . Don't be put off by cam belts and closing shims. Belts are easy to change for even the average spanner man with a bit of care. This cost is for oil and filters , add 80 to 100 for belts but they are not every service.
Equipment 5 out of 5
For me , the less the better. I understand the need to comply with regulation but I prefer minimalism. ABS means release the brake lever , anti wheelie means close the throttle , CPU is in my head not the bikes. I like the classic two clocks with analogue dials and a few dashboard lights . Perfect. The bike has an interesting feature where it tells you the engine oil temperature. Not really normal on an air cooled but good to know how long you need to nurse it while its warming up.
Buying experience: I bought mine second hand for £2000 and without a doubt the best 2k I have ever spent. It
5 out of 5 My 620 IE
13 June 2015 by GLT
Version: 620 IE
Year: 2003
My first bike & I still don't feel the need to change it. Great for cruising around the countryside & the perfect size for lady riders
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
The bike does'nt really like first or second gear much, way smoother & happier in higher gears.
Engine 4 out of 5
Performance & power is perfect for me but I can see faster more experienced riders wanting more.
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Slight rust on the underneath of the engine. Never broken down but costly to repair when my husband slide her down the road!
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Ducati dealers/specialists are expensive for servicing but my local garage is good value and always do a good job.
Equipment 4 out of 5
No fuel gauge is slightly annoying.
Buying experience: Bought privately, beautifully maintained, paid £3500 five years ago
5 out of 5 good starter bike
28 September 2008 by wulfie2008
yeah this was my first big bike i got the 620SIE so it had full show front and rear shocks the higher ground clearance and the seat and headlight cowels anyway one thing i would tell anyone considering buying one is to buy a steering damper the front end is very light and any bumps or pot hold can result in bad tank slapers but apart from that a great bike!!.
Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 3 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
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Ducati M620 motorcycle review - Riding
Source: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/ducati/monster-620/2001/
