M600 Dark 2001

Hi, thought i'd write my piece about my M600 i've owned just over 2 months now. Done nearly 1200 miles so far taking it up to 21,200 miles.

Its my first Ducati after a dozen or more jap motorbikes and i gotta say i wish i'd bought one sooner!
I tend to get attached to my motorbikes and this one more so than any other, its got so much charactor! It really does put a smile on my face every time i ride it. As usual with used bikes there's always stuff to sort out like an oil change, filters, checking belts, valve clearances etc but tbh its been a pleasure to work on such a nice bike.
I've used it mainly for commuting to work, sometimes in torrential downpours, casual rides in the country, trips on the motorways, generally everything and anything. And its been 100% reliable.
I know alot of people are fixed on bhp with bikes, but the ducati monster with its 2-valve engine really is a joy to ride despite its claimed 53 Bhp. Considering i've come from a background of Fireblades and 1200 Bandits where speed and wheelies is what you live for, i seem to have fallen in love with the simple pleasures of motorcycling again.

As a commuter bike its not quite as user friendly as bandits, cbr's, gpz's, sv's, fazers etc because of the cold morning starts, being an old low-tech air-cooled engine and poor basic carbs fitted(prone to icing up come winter!) its not too happy until its off the choke and has a mile or so to warm up a little, but it will do the job none-the-less as i have been these last few months in june/july. In fact i've gone up in size to a #42.5 pilot jet and raised the main needle 1 position in the carbs to richen the mixture and its made the bike much nicer!
One thing worth mentioning is there's ZERO storage on them and no points to fit bungees either. I have fitted Oxford X50 panniers to mine and this has made a world of difference in terms to how useful it is and top speed is still 100+mph with no stability problems at all!
As a bike to own, run, commute on in the week and ride the weekends to bike meets etc, its fantastic! I love the bike, the sound, the looks, the simplicity, and despite what you may have heard from non-ducati owners they ARE reliable and dependable, MPG is always in the 60-72 range, never less.

Odds and ends

Brakes are powerful enough(single disc) and being Brembo are quality and resist corrosion well, they can be prone to a light juddering feel, copper grease the backs of the pads or clean the rotor rivits usually cures it.
Valve clearance rarely need adjusting once milage climbs above 14k.
General parts prices on par with Suzuki/Kawasaki, easy to service yourself.
Low fuel level sensor is prone to failing(£95 to replace sender in tank).
Belts are straight forward to replace and adjust.

Am i glad i bought it? Duh! Thats a BIG YES!!!
It's given me great pleasure to ride, it never misses a beat and always puts a smile on my face , which is what motorcycling is all about.

[steeevvvooo]

nice, sounds like you've been bitten by the bug

As for the icing, super unleaded helps, as does Silkolene FST pro in the tank

[Nickj]

Shell V fuel about a 50% mix in the tank with their normal fuel is good to below -10 with no icing problems.

[gary tompkins]

Assuming you have a metal tank..

I think a medium size magnetic tank bag is more convenient and easy to use than panniers for day trips

[utopia]

That made me grin to read.
It mirrors my own experience with my 750 so closely that I could have written it myself.
I can tell you that after 6yrs of ownership I still feel exactly the same, and I'll never sell it.
I even wrote a song about it........http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...irl#post431808

The design features of the 2-valvers just make so much sense.....
Two thumping great cylinders delivering bags of torque, in a narrow configuration that is balanced without need for secondary balace shafts, holds its weight down low, short stroke and buzzy (for a twin) with unburstable valve gear. Simple, lightweight and easy to work on, with no messy plumbing.
Rear suspension bolted straight on the back. Gorgeous, minimal steel trellis frame holds the rest of the essentials, and nothing more.
In my opinion the best all-round roadster ever designed.
I prefer the carby engines too....no complex electronics prone to expensive failures.
I love mine so much that its bordering on obsessiveness.

They do lack luggage capacity though (but I'm working on that).
I agree with Gary that a magnetic tankbag is the way to go for short trips.

Carb icing is a bit of a bitch, but pro.fst sorts it.
Actually its damp, humid conditions when its worst....low temps on their own aren't such an issue.

I got home the other night after a short return run across town, no more than 3 or 4 miles in heavy drizzle. Not the most inspiring of conditions. I parked up on the drive, went inside and put the kettle on, and then went round to open the back gate. As the gate opened and the monster swung into view I uncontrolably uttered the words "oh you absolute beauty". That's after 6yrs of ownership. I can't help it. I'm hooked.

Your,e just a big softie really.

Quick update, milage is up to 22,700, 4 months since i purchased it, so thats 2,700 miles total i've done and its been 100% reliable. 2 Monster meets under my belt, one in August 2012 to Brighton, and another to Brightona on the 14th October 2012. Smallest engine in both groups but still an absolute hoot! Averages 64mpg, but ranges from 58-70 depending on use.
I use it in all weathers, and it starts on the button. Can't ask more than that!