DUCATI MONSTER 620 (2001 - 2006) Review

Handling is almost telepathic. Suspension is non-adjustable USD forks up front, preload with rebound adjust mono-shock in the rear. Exhaust runs under engine and bike sits low with softish suspension, so heavier riders or rough areas can cause exhaust to scrape. I have not had an issue with scraping anything during cornering. Brakes are very good, twin disks up front, one in the rear.

It's an easy running, sweet sounding twin. A little lazy revving, it feels like it has a heavy flywheel. It is easy to start out, and will pull throughout the tach range. It's definitely not a wheelie machine in stock trim, though I've heard losing a tooth on the front sprocket can wake it up some. I'm at 7000 feet altitude, so the bike is tamed even further. Happily cruises at highway speeds.

No real issues beyond lack of maintenance from original owner. Very simple machine that is easy to maintain yourself if you are at all mechanically inclined. Only issue was original paint on stator cover bubbled, apparently this happens sometimes, depending on what mood the painters were in when the bike was assembled. Otherwise, fit and finish on the rest of the engine and chassis is spot on.

Only real additional expense on this bike is changing the timing belts every two years and gaskets to check the valve clearances. I'm lazy with the valve clearances, if the bike sounds good and cold starts okay, I assume they are okay. The 620's are pretty reliable. Hard to find a new bike that gives you what this one does for similar pricing.

It's a Monster, so there's not much here. Twin analog clocks with digital inserts for odometer, oil temp, time, etc...A little array of indicator lights for low fuel, signals, other stuff. The stuff that is there is done very well though. The instruments look nice and are clear, the hydraulic lines are all braided steel. There's a little cubby under the seat for a sparse toolkit and a helmet lock cable. The seat is pretty comfy and the tank indents fit my knees well. The handlebar is a little far forward, so I added a 1 inch riser as per the Ducati forums. Puig Raptor windscreen is a good fit and tames the wind, if the Ducati one is unavailable.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

The bike does'nt really like first or second gear much, way smoother & happier in higher gears.

Performance & power is perfect for me but I can see faster more experienced riders wanting more.

Slight rust on the underneath of the engine. Never broken down but costly to repair when my husband slide her down the road!

Ducati dealers/specialists are expensive for servicing but my local garage is good value and always do a good job.

No fuel gauge is slightly annoying.