2000 Ducati Monster 600 or 2005 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit

[SenseiEpu]

Hey guys. I'm pretty close to getting my full and have started shopping already. I'm moving no further than a 600cc because of the rego fees. I've narrowed it down to two possibilities, but I don't know enough about these bikes. Your comments, please? Other bike suggestions welcome.

2000 Ducati Monster 600 or 2005 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit

[tigertim20]

Id say the duke for fun weekend rides, or the bandit for commuting with the odd weekend ride/rally chucked in.
horses for courses. I assume youve ridden both and still cant decide?

its a bit hard to pick one over the other without knowing your riding habits, as well as the service history / condition of the bikes you have in mind, that would be a big factor

[SenseiEpu]

Thanks for that. I'm using it to commute to work mainly. The Bandit's more of the tidy beast with a lot less mileage than the Duke. Not to say that the Duke hasn't been looked after. That's in pretty good nick as well.

I've not ridden them yet, only read the reviews. So I thought I'd get on KB and ask around.

[slofox]

The zook might be a little more reliable and parts may well be easier to get and not so expensive - if you believe what you read on here anyway...

[popelli]

ducati monster, brilliant bike

wife bought one which I borrowed a few times too many

after 20 plus years riding harleys I went out and bought myself a ducati after borrowing my wifes ducati - they are that good

they are simple, reliable and most of all an absolute blast to ride

[DR650gary]

Hey guys. I'm pretty close to getting my full and have started shopping already. I'm moving no further than a 600cc because of the rego fees. I've narrowed it down to two possibilities, but I don't know enough about these bikes. Your comments, please? Other bike suggestions welcome.

2000 Ducati Monster 600 or 2005 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439336205.htm Looks like one of the best 600's on TM at the moment. Cheap flight down and a great ride back.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-436877723.htm A bit bigger but a better step up than a Monster and a bigger rush than the Suzuki.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-438574280.htm Identical bike (same from 2001 till 2006 injected model) but a better price with a dealer warranty.

We have had a Raptor and a Monster (800 ie) and the Cagiva was an easier bike to ride through town due to the wide power spread.

We currently have a XJ6S Diversion, similar to the FZ6 just a smoother ride IMHO. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-431770187.htm

Good luck with your choice and I am sure you will enjoy what you end up with.

[SMOKEU]

The Ducati is pretty gutless. It puts out less power than some 250s, so if you can live with that, then that's OK. I would go for the Bandit.

Don't rule out the late 1990s CBR600 or GSXR600 if you consider buying a Japanese crotch rocket. A CBR400RR and VFR400 are also a really nice bike.
With your budget you could probably afford an early 2000s GSXR600/CBR600RR/ZX6R/R6. These bikes will all be a blast to ride and will put the biggest smile on your face.

[popelli]

The Ducati is pretty gutless. It puts out less power than some 250s, so if you can live with that, then that's OK.

right on

after ridding stroker / modified harleys I was so unimpressed I went and bought a ducati...................

yeah the ducati's really are gutless my 900ss puts out less torque 60ft lb than my old harley panhead 63 ft lb but the panhead will only rev to 5000 rpm 52 hp and the ducati to 9000 rpm 82hp

exactly what do these 250's put out

for reference my wifes 600 monster puts out about 53 hp

[SMOKEU]

right on

after ridding stroker / modified harleys I was so unimpressed I went and bought a ducati...................

yeah the ducati's really are gutless my 900ss puts out less torque 60ft lb than my old harley panhead 63 ft lb but the panhead will only rev to 5000 rpm 52 hp and the ducati to 9000 rpm 82hp

exactly what do these 250's put out

for reference my wifes 600 monster puts out about 53 hp

RGV/NSR/TZR250 put out around 60bhp. Later model Aprilia RS250 is around 70bhp.

[skippa1]

Ive seen a few "gutless" bikes make a dickhead out of some rocket pilots. You want to watch Darren Heeman racing his Harley in the street races. Im not saying he is the fastest, but he isnt the slowest either. You dont want to judge how good a bike is by hp and torque stats.

[ducatilover]

The Duke will sound better.
I personally hate Monsters though.
The Bandit is a very good bike, reliable, solid.
In my head -
Resale value - duke will win.
Service costs - Bandit will win, no stupid belts to do.
Fun factor - Duke in the corners.
Straight line speed - the Bandit takes that fairly easily.
Overtakin- Bandit.
Comfort - Bandit.
Brakes - Duke should have an advantage from factory.
The Duke is also lighter.

If you're more of a commuter, go the Bandit.
If you want a slow and overrated bike, go the Monster.

[neels]

You dont want to judge how good a bike is by hp and torque stats.
It seems most people judge a bike just on hp anyway, and forget torque completely. Torque is what gets you where you want to go.

hp numbers look good in sales brochures, and you might get to use all of those horsies if you ride your bike everywhere at redline....

[ducatilover]

It seems most people judge a bike just on hp anyway, and forget torque completely. Torque is what gets you where you want to go.

hp numbers look good in sales brochures, and you might get to use all of those horsies if you ride your bike everywhere at redline....

Doesn't matter, neither of them really have any torque :msn-wink:

[Ender EnZed]

The additional cost of the higher rego bracket is a small percentage of what it costs to run a bike for a year. Have a look at some 650 twins, the Suzuki SV650, Kawasaki ER6 and Hyosung GT650 all have significantly more poke than the Monster 600 and are likely to be cheaper to run as well as better value in terms of age/milage.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-433177166.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-422107736.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439039536.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439650033.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-427825758.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-439205904.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/tourers/auction-437066584.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-438884648.htm

[tigertim20]

Thanks for that. I'm using it to commute to work mainly. The Bandit's more of the tidy beast with a lot less mileage than the Duke. Not to say that the Duke hasn't been looked after. That's in pretty good nick as well.

I've not ridden them yet, only read the reviews. So I thought I'd get on KB and ask around.


It seems most people judge a bike just on hp anyway, and forget torque completely. Torque is what gets you where you want to go.

hp numbers look good in sales brochures, and you might get to use all of those horsies if you ride your bike everywhere at redline....

all specs are bullshit.
what matters is what YOU can make the thing do. period.

ride them both. you might not like either of them.

[SenseiEpu]

This is great, guys. Your inputs are helping a lot. It's also made me think about the possibility of a higher rego bracket, and ongoing costs. I never thought of looking at it that way. Awesome. Keep 'em coming.