Monster v Bandit

Georgey Burgess

I'm buying a new bike in the next few weeks and at the moment its between a Ducati Monster (600cc) and Suzuki Bandit (600/650cc). I like the naked look bike without fairings frills etc. Just 2 wheels, an engine, saddle and handlebars type look. On looks the Monster has won me over however reading some reviews the reliability of the ducati seems to be an issue. Also there are comments on costs of ducati spares and struggling at low speeds (Dublin traffic!!)

Are they in the same insurance category?

Any views?

KTRIC

The Ducati hands down on looks, but I have heard from alot of very reliable sources that the are very expensive on parts. And because of the way the cam shaft's are tuned the sound like a bag of spanners when idiling.

Phryxus

Well if it was between those two I'd have to pick the bandit, purely because of cost ( like K-TRIC said, the spares ) but if you're going for a naked 600 have you considered the honda hornet 600, I think it looks much better than a bandit and you can't go wrong with a honda. but if you have your heart set on either a bandit or monster, go with the bandit.

Supercell

Georgey Burgess wrote:

I'm buying a new bike in the next few weeks and at the moment its between a Ducati Monster (600cc) and Suzuki Bandit (600/650cc). I like the naked look bike without fairings frills etc. Just 2 wheels, an engine, saddle and handlebars type look. On looks the Monster has won me over however reading some reviews the reliability of the ducati seems to be an issue. Also there are comments on costs of ducati spares and struggling at low speeds (Dublin traffic!!)

Are they in the same insurance category?

Any views?

I suggest you check out the insurance on these bikes..preferably be sitting down before you are given a quote !!

Krusty_Clown

The duke for looks, uniqueness and sound..
The Bandit for reliability, cheap service, parts, aftermarket parts, and value for money..

Can you take them both for a test spin? See which suits you better?

batman_oh

budget depending really
wud u not consider a hornet or fazer600
better than both by a long way
out of the two the monster wud be more for looks and a bit of posing
handles decent with good brakes but the engine is suspect(40ish bhp at the wheels, about the same as a cbr250!)
the bandit can be cusotmies to death, will be more reliable etc etc and is lots faster
id pick the hornet for sure

Georgey Burgess

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm by no means set on either bike and will now look at the Hornet aswell. As almost everyone agrees the looks of the Ducati make it a winner hands down. If they could sort out the reliability, servicing costs, suitability for journeys greater than 30miles, and better pillion passanger seating (which would possibly ruin the looks!!!) it would be a hands down winner.

I've looked at the Fazer and amn't mad about its looks.

I'll deffo have to get insurance quotes aswell as these may have a big bearing on my decision.

Chalk

never liked the looks of the ductti,

get a bros i love mine

lomb

the monster is a bike to admire. the jap stuff are bikes to ride but are nearly soulless.
if u can stretch to a low level harley that is also an option. they have the advantage of depreciating little also.
the vrod is arguably the nicest production motorcycle in the world about 19 grand though.

Alfasudcrazy

I had a bandit 600 for two years and it was a great bike - I loved the sound - went to London on it once - the saddle on the old model on long journeys was terrible but it has been redesigned on the latest models.
My one was the naked one as well - its the only way to go

Ratchet

Bandit 600 - lots of bike for the money. good work horse , parts are cheap,servicing easy, build quality fine, seen good few with mad mileage
air-oiled cooled engine takes time to warm up and sounds nice,
due to insurance price you can get nearly new bandit for 5000-5500euro


Ducati- has own charm and is the simplest way to enter Ducati World, great engine sound and pull, twin cylinder engine makes town driving very easy.

but

servicing costs will bring you back to reality very quick, specially if you are going to cover good few miles. Belts have to be replaced every 12000 miles Ducati Dublin will charge you close to 1000yoyo's for 12k service.
many people buy them to have Ducati then sell them before service.

Service history is a must.

madrab

bandit 600 is group 10
ducati monster dark (600) group 9
ducati monster dark (620 newer version) group 10
ducati monster 600/620 group10/11 (not 100% sure of this)

hibernian

if its any help

lomb

Ratchet wrote:

Bandit 600 - lots of bike for the money. good work horse , parts are cheap,servicing easy, build quality fine, seen good few with mad mileage
air-oiled cooled engine takes time to warm up and sounds nice,
due to insurance price you can get nearly new bandit for 5000-5500euro


Ducati- has own charm and is the simplest way to enter Ducati World, great engine sound and pull, twin cylinder engine makes town driving very easy.

but

servicing costs will bring you back to reality very quick, specially if you are going to cover good few miles. Belts have to be replaced every 12000 miles Ducati Dublin will charge you close to 1000yoyo's for 12k service.
many people buy them to have Ducati then sell them before service.

Service history is a must.

how much is harley servicing?

Ratchet

i have no expierience with Harleys