I might buy a Ducati 620 - Standard vs Dark?

**gussmith** · 31 May 06, 02:02 PM

Advice please:

May be in the market for a S/H 620.
What's the difference between standard & dark?
What about comfort? (I'm "getting on" but am used to a vibratory old Velo)

And what about pillion comfort?

Any general advice welcome.

Many thanks.

**DrBob** · 31 May 06, 03:15 PM

The dark came with a single front disk and a 5 speed gear box and was only available in black, some had yellow frames which look like ****e. The standard bike had the same spec but was available in other colours and had the option of a 6 speed box and twin front disks at extra cost. Later the dark had the same options and was only available in black for about £500 less if I remember correctly.

Rider comfort it depends, higher bars help as do lower pegs if you find it uncomfortable. Sitting on a bike stationary isn't a good way to find out if it's comfortable or not though, if possible do a few miles on it first. And pillion comfort is non existant if they want to use the grab rails.

**Mini Mo** · 31 May 06, 06:57 PM

Personally I wouldn't take a pillion out of town as it's not that great for 2 up.

I also find the the 620 lacks power anyway, but two up is just painful

I'm about to trade mine (05 and 5000 miles, with a new Diablo in yesterday

) to go up to the S2R1000.

Test ride one and also try looking at a secondhand 900 or 1000.

**legs748** · 31 May 06, 07:12 PM

Hey Gus, welcome to the site!
Have you ridden any modern metal? My dad is also "Getting on" but he went from a BSA B31 and a road Goldstar in 1960 something to a Honda Hornet 600 two years ago (After spending too much time drooling over my Monster 900!!) and has not looked back. He is also after a monster at the moment. The main problem he found with the hornet was getting used to the brakes and acceleration compared to the old clankers!
I have ridden a couple of monster 620's and they are fine, very civilised, a little too much so for me. They still have power enough to scare the unwary though. Given the choice i would go for the standard rather than the dark, the black paint seems to attract greasy finger marks.
If it was my money i would think about looking for a 900 or 1000, for the reasons DrBob touched on, twin disks, 6 speed box and also proper adjustable levers and a dry clutch, but thats just personal preference.
If a 620 it must be then good nearly/new deals should be out there because of the arrival of the new 695. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

**DrBob** · 31 May 06, 07:20 PM

I thought all recent 620 Monsters that used the APTC clutch had wet clutches?

**jimbob** · 31 May 06, 07:37 PM

Your right about the wet clutch Dr Bob

I thought all Ducati's had dry clutches.

Gus a 620 Monster is a good place to start try and get a test ride and see what you think.

Personally modern V-Twins are easy to get on with and get used to the power isn't hard the 620 kicks out 63 bhp not that much more than a old Velo maybe less depending on which Velo you have.

Comfort on the Monster range is good as it gets the only bikes that offer greater comfort are the touring style bikes manly cause the fairing protection from wind blast.

**DrBob** · 31 May 06, 08:31 PM

I'm not sure about the rider comfort being that good as my S2R which had the flat Magura fat bars wasn't that brilliant, plus they where too wide which meant I couldn't get through most gaps in traffic.

The standard bars may be a lot better though but I can't remember.

**Paivi** · 31 May 06, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini Mo

Personally I wouldn't take a pillion out of town as it's not that great for 2 up.

I also find the the 620 lacks power anyway, but two up is just painful

That's only because I'd had a big breakfast!

Unfortunately, even with the introduction of the gorgeous, fantastic, incredible, powerful, sex on wheels, 695, there are no deals to be had on 620s. Luckily!

But, yes, Matt is right, for a bit of a distance, it really isn't a comfortable bike for a pillion, even one so amply padded as myself.

**theoldbuzzard** · 31 May 06, 10:38 PM

Hi Gus, I came back to bikes after a long "lay off" and bought a 600 Monster. I thought it was a lovely bike, a little snatchy in traffic and a bugger for carb icing during the winter but a really good 1st modern bike. The 620 has injection and so doesn't suffer from snatch and icing.

If this is your 1st modern then I would advise sticking to a 620 for a while. I did about 1500mls before trading in for a 999 and I rather think that if I'd gone for a 900 Monster first then my life insurance could well have been paying out by now

Can't say about the pillion, never tried it :wink: Go and try a 620 and check out how they drive out of corners.....even the Mini-Monsters are brill

**Mini Mo** · 01 Jun 06, 10:43 AM

But that's just it. I was out with some muckers at the weekend and didn't have a hope in hell of keeping up. Even the CBF600 kicked my arse.

TBH I think the 620 lacks power for out of town work. It just doesn't have the power to overtake safely at speed.

Fair comment about too much power but you're only going to lay out as much as your right wrist puts in

I would say a 620 as a entry, i.e. new to biking, bike is great, but it just doesn't cut the mustard beyond that because even legal limits are in the higher end of its performance range.

Maybe look at the S2R 800 instead.

**DrBob** · 01 Jun 06, 01:01 PM

Doesn't have power out of town, I had a CB250 for a while and all 19hp used to pull me past traffic and after far bigger bikes easily. I think you need to ride small 2 strokes for a while as you'll get left far behind if you don't make those work.

The S2R 800 isn't worth £6000 new compared to what else is out there, the 1000 is at £7000 as it is better spec'd.

**legs748** · 01 Jun 06, 01:52 PM

You are right DrBob, the 620's have wet clutches as do some of the ST range and the new GT1000 for some reason (Urrghh!). My comment was to go for a 900 cause you get a dry clutch (Jingley Jangley.) and brembo goldline adjustable levers (Squeezey squeezy), which for me, both is better.

**Mini Mo** · 01 Jun 06, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBob

Doesn't have power out of town, I had a CB250 for a while and all 19hp used to pull me past traffic and after far bigger bikes easily. I think you need to ride small 2 strokes for a while as you'll get left far behind if you don't make those work.

The S2R 800 isn't worth £6000 new compared to what else is out there, the 1000 is at £7000 as it is better spec'd.

Was going to suggest the S2R 1000 but all this talk of too much power.....

2 stoke, grew up on one

**DrBob** · 02 Jun 06, 04:21 PM

Have you thought about the Bimota DB4? 2003 registered bikes with 0 miles are going for about the price of a new 620/695. Fully adjustable Paioli suspension, Brembo 4 pots, a chassis that will run rings around anything, 2 seats, carbon fibre and it uses the 1000DS motor so it can be serivced by a Ducati dealer. That would be my choice. :wink: