Ducati MONSTER reviews

Probably one of the best Monster I've ever owned. My last one was the 1200s, and I can confidently state that this one is more fun, safe and overall better handling dynamics than my last three Ducati and one BMW. Show less

I've owned plenty of bikes ranging from GSXR's to Supermotos, I've had a few years without a bike and found this on Ebay $1,000 cheaper as it had been stood for 3 years. I bought a new battery and the bike started the first press of the button. I thought I would get bored but the more I ride it the more I like it. It's fast enough for a big grin and also easy to ride. It also looks better in the flesh than on the pictures. There is one small issue of back firing and again only at low revs and only in the city when I'm cruising. Show less

The Monster 696 is a very good bike, very forgiving, light and great to handle. There is plenty of power when riding on the highway alone or with a passenger and tame for in-city riding. It attracts great attention and positive comments from passersby or other drivers out there. The only issue I had with it was the factory seat. I got that replaced and it's day and night. Show less

This is my first bike ever and so far I love it. The salesman told me it would be a good beginner bike if I would respect it and so far he has been right. I can tell the bike has a lot more power to give, but I am keeping the throttle hand at bay while I learn to ride better. This bike is so easy to handle for a beginner. When I say beginner I mean it. I rode a buddy's bike about three weeks before buying the 696 for the first time. I spent maybe 15 minutes in a parking lot and had to get one. The second time I rode a motorcycle was the day I rode my 696 home from the dealership. Love it. First thing for me will be a re-gear and then going to look at the racing exhaust stystem with AF and ECU. Show less

I bought my M796 around one month ago. It's a great bike, well balanced and a good fit for my height and size. The engine responds really well across the full range. 1st is a little "clunky" and requires a slight clutch slim when setting off. From new, the gears seemed a little rough although it has gotten a significantly smoother change now that I've begun to put a few miles on the clock. I did read that the speed and rev counter were difficult to read although I've not had any problem seeing this set up and the instruments and other settings are easy to use and view. I did get ABS on this bike. I have not had to use it but the brakes on the 796 pull you up pretty quick. I like the dial adjustment on the clutch and brake (nice feature) and makes for that little adjustment if required. The build quality is second to none although this I'm sure is reflected in the price tag, but you get what you pay for! Overall, I'm really pleased with the bike, it rides great, handles well, is lots of fun. If you have the money, it's worth spending a little more - you wont regret it. Show less

I toyed with the idea of getting a Ducati for the better part of a year. I know that I would be getting a bike for commuting, but went back and forth on paying for a Ducati. I test rode a score of different bikes before I hopped on the Monster 1100. One test ride and I was hooked. The smooth power and torque delivery are spot on. Being 6 feet tall and a little on the heavier side, I needed a bike that would have the power to move me and not need to be so high strung making that power that it would kill any gain in mpg that I would get on a bike. Overall this bike can't be beat in the combination of performance, quality, design and reliability. Can't wait to take it to Moto GP..... Show less

I LOVE this bike and everything it does. I am a pretty big guy and I had some trouble comfortably riding this fine machine. A couple of minor tweaks and all is PERFECT now. The torque on this thing is absolutely amazing. It is so light and flickable that carving twisties requires little effort other than holding the throttle steady. No problems at all in my 1200 miles. Pros: Light weight Crazy bottom end and mid range power Beautiful design Comfortable ergos (get an aftermarket seat though) Cons: Slightly cramped for tall riders (remedied easily aftermarket) You go too FAST too FAST Show less

I just bought a 2011 Ducati M796 yesterday and have only put 200 miles on it, but in that time I've fallen in love with the bike - it is truly an amazing machine with excellent handling and performance. It is a straightforward, naked bike, simple to ride, but with beauty and style, and its weight is perfect, very easy to handle in all situations - great in town, on the interstate or a curvy road. It is a great all-around bike, and although it is a smaller Ducati, it has plenty of power with a very snappy response. After a couple of hours of riding I noticed the seat, but that's to be expected. It has a small fuel capacity - nevertheless, I'd recommend this bike to anyone interested. It is worth every penny, and I suspect I'll be keeping it for some years. It is a delightful ride - totally blissful and playful, and the look of the bike draws many positive comments. Show less

After 5000 miles, I've come to a realization that the Monster 1100 is pure joy. It's spunky, easy, and wholesome. Coming from other naked bikes, the Monster is not the best bang for your money. But I do like Ducati's mantra: keep it light, keep it simple, keep it fun. It's easy to flick around town and in the canyons; you're guaranteed an enthusiastic ride. It isn't overly complex; no crazy bells and whistles. Reliability has been good since I've had it. No problems with electronics nor mechanics. The simplicity of an air cooled, dry clutch motorcycle appeals to me. The Monster 1100 is not super-powerful, but the near 100hp is quite enough to ride dirty. I'm a city rider, and the relatively soft suspension is excellent for everyday riding (I heard that the "S" version's Ohlins suspension can be a bit too firm and jarring, and is more appropriate if you regularly take it to the track or canyons). Brakes are superb; I've handled emergency stops with much confidence. Comfort is good. The riding position is not sadistic. Seat firmness is actually tolerable, but angled to the front, causing discomfort with hard braking. I rode the bike from L.A. to Phoenix during a weekend (a little under 1000 miles total in three days), and she did cause butt fatigue after 5 hours of riding. Quality is good. The bike is quite plastic, but built well. Everything has been solid since purchase, and I'm very happy. Quirks: stock mirrors provide good visibility, but are quite large. Mileage range is about 150 miles in one tank (light goes on after 120 miles I wish for more. Seat angle can be more neutral for comfort. And I wish there were more available accessories for touring, such as bag options and GPS. Show less

Third Ducati, and best by far. Great handling and super performance. Outstanding dealer. Rides like it is on a rail, first time I have not had to adjust suspension when I got home. Owner of dealer did great job setting up. Show less