New bike - Ducati Monster 695
Discussion
What's the clutch and gearbox like on the new 695 Monster? My first 'big bike' was a Monster 600, and it had a right old clunker of a 'box, enough to put me off geared motorcycles for a while 
It was a choice between the SV650S and the Monster - should have bought the SV650S (little fairing… much more usable… big seat for the girlfriend…) but the Ducati had 'DUCATI' written on it. And it was red. And it was called the 'Monster'. And most of all, it had desmodromic valve actuation (OK, I'm a mechanical watch movement nutter too… love having 'different' mechanical solutions to the same old problems… one reason I'm not keen on inline fours).
Of course, it was a pain to ride as it didn't fit me at ALL, didn't get ridden that often, the gearbox was obstructive, noisy and the option of drowning out the dry clutch racket with some offensively loud pipes (yeah, Termis on any of the Ducati V-twins sound bloody beautiful. But they *are* loud, and whilst virtually ALL bikers will smile from 5 miles away as the sound reaches their ears… miserable old gits, whose only wheeled transport is the overpriced baby buggy their wife forced them to pay £500 for and push for hours following her round clothes shops, take *serious* offence to them) ran the risk of making the utter annihilation of *my* enjoyment the single-minded target of a bitter under-the-thumb passive-aggressive 'male'. You know the sort - won't *ever* have the balls to confront you personally and politely complain that he really doesn't like the sound of your motorcycle, so could you please come to a compromise, such as baffles when starting up / warming up / in the street / village / garage, or even slightly quieter pipes (which IMO is perfectly reasonable. Just as if a young family moved in next door who did nothing to stop their baby screaming *constantly* and left windows / doors open so the noise was constantly audible, doing my head in - I'd ask for a reasonable compromise. I'd certainly compromise on an exhaust to keep relations civil). Instead, these weak types will avoid you at all costs, but make continuous 'anonymous' complaints to all possible local 'authorities' - when you're not around, inspect your bike and anything *slightly* dubious gets reported to the police - even to the extent of joining the type of internet forum frequented by low-life to 'anonymously' tip off where and how you store your bike, what type of locks you use, etc. in the aim of getting it stolen…
Oooooops, getting worked up there. Only got back from work, been a long day…
So. Monster 695. Gearbox. Clutch. Monster 600. Night and day? The *looks* of my Monster were ace. It felt heavier than it really was, which was a bugger, but I'm sure something can be done about that. The old Monster had a weak engine too, which gave me a top speed of…. IIRC…. 105-110 mph. Not much more than my Ninja 250. Hell, I'd love a *sports* frame Ducati with that motor in it, though I guess the fairing and aerodynamics would make the bike a lot faster…
Couldn't use it every day though, it'd get nicked. Sometimes this bloody country drives me up the wall… I've worked bloody hard, I work myself into physical and mental illness on a regular basis, and I've earned the money to buy my pick of some lovely toys. But either I can't insure them, or I live in perpetual anxiety that when I come home from the City that my bike won't be there. I could deal with the anxiety by constantly taking benzodiazepines. But you *really*, *really*, *really* don't want to try riding a motorcycle quickly and enthusiastically if you've got those things in your GABAnergic receptors… you're chucking so much of your reaction speed and fine control / rapid judgement away. May as well ride when pissed, really.
Ummm… another random cyberface loose-cannon scatter-gun post… sorry, what I meant to say was "Lovely looking motorcycle, great choice, enjoy it well and ride safely - nice one!"
It was a choice between the SV650S and the Monster - should have bought the SV650S (little fairing… much more usable… big seat for the girlfriend…) but the Ducati had 'DUCATI' written on it. And it was red. And it was called the 'Monster'. And most of all, it had desmodromic valve actuation (OK, I'm a mechanical watch movement nutter too… love having 'different' mechanical solutions to the same old problems… one reason I'm not keen on inline fours).
Of course, it was a pain to ride as it didn't fit me at ALL, didn't get ridden that often, the gearbox was obstructive, noisy and the option of drowning out the dry clutch racket with some offensively loud pipes (yeah, Termis on any of the Ducati V-twins sound bloody beautiful. But they *are* loud, and whilst virtually ALL bikers will smile from 5 miles away as the sound reaches their ears… miserable old gits, whose only wheeled transport is the overpriced baby buggy their wife forced them to pay £500 for and push for hours following her round clothes shops, take *serious* offence to them) ran the risk of making the utter annihilation of *my* enjoyment the single-minded target of a bitter under-the-thumb passive-aggressive 'male'. You know the sort - won't *ever* have the balls to confront you personally and politely complain that he really doesn't like the sound of your motorcycle, so could you please come to a compromise, such as baffles when starting up / warming up / in the street / village / garage, or even slightly quieter pipes (which IMO is perfectly reasonable. Just as if a young family moved in next door who did nothing to stop their baby screaming *constantly* and left windows / doors open so the noise was constantly audible, doing my head in - I'd ask for a reasonable compromise. I'd certainly compromise on an exhaust to keep relations civil). Instead, these weak types will avoid you at all costs, but make continuous 'anonymous' complaints to all possible local 'authorities' - when you're not around, inspect your bike and anything *slightly* dubious gets reported to the police - even to the extent of joining the type of internet forum frequented by low-life to 'anonymously' tip off where and how you store your bike, what type of locks you use, etc. in the aim of getting it stolen…
Oooooops, getting worked up there. Only got back from work, been a long day…
So. Monster 695. Gearbox. Clutch. Monster 600. Night and day? The *looks* of my Monster were ace. It felt heavier than it really was, which was a bugger, but I'm sure something can be done about that. The old Monster had a weak engine too, which gave me a top speed of…. IIRC…. 105-110 mph. Not much more than my Ninja 250. Hell, I'd love a *sports* frame Ducati with that motor in it, though I guess the fairing and aerodynamics would make the bike a lot faster…
Couldn't use it every day though, it'd get nicked. Sometimes this bloody country drives me up the wall… I've worked bloody hard, I work myself into physical and mental illness on a regular basis, and I've earned the money to buy my pick of some lovely toys. But either I can't insure them, or I live in perpetual anxiety that when I come home from the City that my bike won't be there. I could deal with the anxiety by constantly taking benzodiazepines. But you *really*, *really*, *really* don't want to try riding a motorcycle quickly and enthusiastically if you've got those things in your GABAnergic receptors… you're chucking so much of your reaction speed and fine control / rapid judgement away. May as well ride when pissed, really.
Ummm… another random cyberface loose-cannon scatter-gun post… sorry, what I meant to say was "Lovely looking motorcycle, great choice, enjoy it well and ride safely - nice one!"
Clutch on the 695 is the wet APTC slipper clutch and is incredibly light. Gearbox is fine. It's got 73hp, which is a fair hike over the old 600 (more than the old 750, and not far off the 900). Not ridden the older monsters, but from what I've read the 695 is a big improvement - shares lots of mechanical bits with the 696 but in the last of the older styling.
Wooderson > I forgot to mention, I've got the official soft panniers which are a perfect fit for bikes with low-mount exhausts. If you've not sorted out any luggage yet for your trip, you're welcome to borrow them.
Wooderson > I forgot to mention, I've got the official soft panniers which are a perfect fit for bikes with low-mount exhausts. If you've not sorted out any luggage yet for your trip, you're welcome to borrow them.
sjg said:
Clutch on the 695 is the wet APTC slipper clutch and is incredibly light. Gearbox is fine. It's got 73hp, which is a fair hike over the old 600 (more than the old 750, and not far off the 900). Not ridden the older monsters, but from what I've read the 695 is a big improvement - shares lots of mechanical bits with the 696 but in the last of the older styling.
Wooderson > I forgot to mention, I've got the official soft panniers which are a perfect fit for bikes with low-mount exhausts. If you've not sorted out any luggage yet for your trip, you're welcome to borrow them.
Cheers that's a kind offer. I did try sourcing a set, but they were over £200 and like hens teeth to find in stock. In the end I bought a Kriega US40 combo which fits quite well provided you aren't taking a pillion. Wooderson > I forgot to mention, I've got the official soft panniers which are a perfect fit for bikes with low-mount exhausts. If you've not sorted out any luggage yet for your trip, you're welcome to borrow them.
I'd second your view on the clutch - it's very nice to use in traffic and I haven't had arm 'pump' once - not like the Bonneville I hired for a weekend recently which left me feeling like I'd be hitting a punchbag all day!
Is the purpose of the APTC clutch to reduce the risk of engine braking locking the rear wheel?
Mr E Driver said:
Did you get a seat cowl to go over the passenger seat? You should have one as they are standard with the bike from new.
Annoyingly it didn't come with one. Rats! I'm sure I'll get around to getting one at some stage. I've been giving too many joyrides to bother for the time being 
The 695 didnt come with a rear seat cover or front fairing they were all extras.
I bought my black 695 exactly 2 years ago ( its just in for its 2 year service) pick it back up today/tomorrow.
the 695 engine and box is light years away from the earlier 600's and is basically the 696 unit. mines not missed a beat.
I've got the full high level termi kit, with the open air box, filter upgrade, race ecu, and fueling corrected. which apparently takes it to 80bhp. does yours have the full kit or just the termis? I held out untill the 600 mile service before the termi's went on
and the baffles came in the box with the old exhaust and havent been out yet.
I've fitted a carbon seat cover, carbon side panels,and a the small front screen. I've also got the ducati/bagster tank cover and tank bag unit, and a removable rear carrier for longer trips, the name escapes me but it works well and when off the brackets not that obvious.
I've also got a carbon belly pan, but cant get the brackets to work at the moment.
I keep thinking about changing mine for something bigger but then i get back on it and think why... although a M796 looks interesting, or a 2nd hand m1100.
I think I will lower the gearing, but I'll go up on the rear sprocket rather than down on the front, as the smaller front can wear quicker and also get chain splap on the swing arm. an excuse for a spangly rear sprocket and a red chain <LOL>
Enjoy and if your anywhere near the midlands we'll have a blat
G
edited for pic
I bought my black 695 exactly 2 years ago ( its just in for its 2 year service) pick it back up today/tomorrow.
the 695 engine and box is light years away from the earlier 600's and is basically the 696 unit. mines not missed a beat.
I've got the full high level termi kit, with the open air box, filter upgrade, race ecu, and fueling corrected. which apparently takes it to 80bhp. does yours have the full kit or just the termis? I held out untill the 600 mile service before the termi's went on
and the baffles came in the box with the old exhaust and havent been out yet.I've fitted a carbon seat cover, carbon side panels,and a the small front screen. I've also got the ducati/bagster tank cover and tank bag unit, and a removable rear carrier for longer trips, the name escapes me but it works well and when off the brackets not that obvious.
I've also got a carbon belly pan, but cant get the brackets to work at the moment.
I keep thinking about changing mine for something bigger but then i get back on it and think why... although a M796 looks interesting, or a 2nd hand m1100.
I think I will lower the gearing, but I'll go up on the rear sprocket rather than down on the front, as the smaller front can wear quicker and also get chain splap on the swing arm. an excuse for a spangly rear sprocket and a red chain <LOL>
Enjoy and if your anywhere near the midlands we'll have a blat
G
edited for pic
Edited by Graham on Tuesday 15th June 13:38
A wet slipper clutch?. That has put me right off.
Part of the appeal of my old 900SS was the engine braking hauling you down like Jake Brakes on a Peterbilt and the rattle of the clutch prompting many kind but ignorant souls to wander over and suggest that I get the bike to a shop straight away to sort out the valves.
Part of the appeal of my old 900SS was the engine braking hauling you down like Jake Brakes on a Peterbilt and the rattle of the clutch prompting many kind but ignorant souls to wander over and suggest that I get the bike to a shop straight away to sort out the valves.
redtwin said:
A wet slipper clutch?. That has put me right off.
Part of the appeal of my old 900SS was the engine braking hauling you down like Jake Brakes on a Peterbilt and the rattle of the clutch prompting many kind but ignorant souls to wander over and suggest that I get the bike to a shop straight away to sort out the valves.
Fear not, there is still huge neck jarring engine braking on offer Part of the appeal of my old 900SS was the engine braking hauling you down like Jake Brakes on a Peterbilt and the rattle of the clutch prompting many kind but ignorant souls to wander over and suggest that I get the bike to a shop straight away to sort out the valves.
It's more of a mongrol slipper clutch system isn't it?
I really don't get the appeal of the dry clutch rattle. Granted the open covers do look very cool
edited for typos
Edited by Wooderson on Tuesday 15th June 13:30
cyberface said:
What's the clutch and gearbox like on the new 695 Monster? My first 'big bike' was a Monster 600, and it had a right old clunker of a 'box, enough to put me off geared motorcycles for a while
Of course, it was a pain to ride as it didn't fit me at ALL, didn't get ridden that often, the gearbox was obstructive, noisy and the option of drowning out the dry clutch racket with some offensively loud pipes
The gearbox on my old M750 (same as the M600) wasn't anything like you describe....?Of course, it was a pain to ride as it didn't fit me at ALL, didn't get ridden that often, the gearbox was obstructive, noisy and the option of drowning out the dry clutch racket with some offensively loud pipes
And the clutches on the M600 and M750 were wet, not dry
On the early 1st generation Monster's, only the M900 had the dry clutch.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff