Ducati Monster 620 i.e. Dark reviews

The Ducati Monster is an icon of Italian motorcycling style. The newest incarnation is a stylistic departure from the original, but by using Borgo Panigale’s latest chassis designs, it’s philosophically truer to the original than it’s been for years. With much of the same tech, less weight, a nice dose of go-fast eagerness, and a cheaper price tag than its stablemates, it’s arguably the best value in the Ducati lineup. The new-for-’23 Monster SP ($15,595) ups the ante with a number of performance-oriented changes. To improve handling, the SP gets an Öhlins NIX 30 fork and Öhlins rear shock. It also comes with a steering damper, homologated Termignoni silencer, a lightweight lithium-ion battery, and reworked electronic settings. It also gets top-shelf Brembo Stylema calipers. Just in case passersby were to overlook the gold anodized fork or chunky calipers, the SP announces its presence with a bespoke “SP” livery reminiscent of the world championship-winning factory GP22 racebike. Show less

I recently had the chance to ride the Ducati X Diavel Dark 2021, and I’ve got to say, it was quite the experience. Right off the bat, you notice its aggressive styling—it's a head-turner. The blacked-out look gives it a menacing vibe, but in a sleek, minimalist way. The ride itself was impressive. The power delivery from that V-twin engine is smooth yet exhilarating. You can feel the torque kick in, making city riding fun, and it’s equally thrilling on the open road. It's got the kind of acceleration that makes you grin like a kid again. Comfort-wise, it strikes a nice balance. The riding position is sporty, but not so extreme that you feel like you’re in a track position. I really appreciated how the seat cradled me during longer rides—definitely a plus, especially on those weekend escapes. Handling is where this bike shines. It feels incredibly agile for a cruiser, and it instills confidence in every turn. Whether you're cruising through city traffic or carving up some winding country roads, it responds beautifully. All in all, the Ducati X Diavel Dark 2021 is a fantastic bike for anyone looking for a blend of performance and style. It’s got a personality that makes every ride feel special. If you’re in the market for something that stands out and delivers, this one is definitely worth a look. Show less

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 came from an HD and just never knew what I was missing. If you want a cruiser with power, then you need to ride this bike!!! 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