Monster as a commuter

[ItalianRider]

So ... yesterday I went to the local Kawasaki/Ducati dealer and started chatting about what would be a good next bike for me.

Considering I am potentially in the market for a new bike, he was very interested of course and we started talking about either the Kawasaki 650R or the Ducati Monster 696.

Both of them (For what I heard) are extremely comfortable, reliable and even-tempered bikes.

However when I mentioned to him that I was planning to commute with my bike (my commute is 40 miles to go, 40 miles to come back, mostly highway), he looked downright HORRIFIED and scowled at me and said "NO! You can't use a Ducati for that. It'd be like you buying a Ferrari and commuting with it. You'll RUIN IT!!! Get the Kawasaki. They are like Chevrolets only reliable. They are ideal for commuting".

I was a little shaken by his strong reaction so I thought I'd ... well, check with you guys to see what you think.

Bottom line is, they had a 696 red Monster on display and it looked SEXY. I don't know how else to describe it.

It was just absolutely sexy.

And it wasn't that much more expensive than the 650R ... ($7k vs $8k give or take a few bucks).

I mean ... seriously? Would it really be such a capital offense to get a Monster and use it to commute?

I commute with a WRX STI already ... people might argue that that's not right either.

Was the sales guy making a good point? or was he trying to push a sale on the Kawasaki side of his business for whatever reason?


From my perspective I was really just taken aback from the dealer's reaction to my idea of commuting with the Monster.

I thought that maybe the Monster's engine will not be able to keep up with a lot of miles in the long run.

But
1 - this would be my second bike, not my last. I get the feeling that I have ADD when it comes to bikes and I think that's a widespread disease among us bikers ...
2 - I plan to follow proper maintenance procedures RELIGIOUSLY regardless of what bike I get. I don't believe in mistreating my property. I always maintained all my vehicles with the utmost attention to detail. I don't do shortcuts, no matter what the cost.
3 - I don't plan to commute when it rains. Or snows. Or ices over. Or I don't feel so good. Etc. If it snows a lot the bike might need to go in the garage, battery uninstalled, mufflers sealed, off the ground, etc. for weeks on end. Regardless of the bike I get.That cuts down the days I will commute with it to what? 20%? one day each week? Maybe two if I'm lucky? Plus some weekend riding? maybe it's going to boil down to 8-9k miles a year?
4 - the dealer I talked to was wearing a Kawasaki t-shirt. The dealership is split into two: Kawi on one side, Ducati on the other. They work in the same building but I think the guy I was talking to was exclusively Kawi. I'm thinking I'd like to hear the opinion of the Ducati dealer as well, first.

[Lsberrios1]

Honestly I wouldnt see a problem with commuting on the monster other than higher maintenance costs. You are going to pay for service more often so it could seem a little steep. Never riden the new gen monster but have ridden S4Rs and S2R1k for commuting 25miles each way and no problem. I would bet on the new one being more comfortable. Now I commute on my SF and its not ideal but it is ok.

I feel like both bikes are pretty comfortable its up to which one you like riding the most.

Good luck

[CrimsonCloak]

I can't think of many bikes that are better suited to commuting than a 696. The Kawasaki would be a good commuter too, but as you've said...it doesn't have the sex appeal that the 696 has.

[romancommander]

696 monster is a great commuting bike, although I'd be tempted to buy the 796 instead.

The 650r is a decent bike. Currently I believe it is the Kawi with the longest valve service intervals ~20,000 miles. They have been around since 2006-ish and can be had used for $2500+, my coworker just bought a nice low mile one for his wife for $2700. Basically it is the faired version of the ER6-N.

If you are going to commute year round I say buy a used 650r for cheap, then buy a Duc for fun.

Oh and the STI is a perfect commuter....I commute in an 06 WRX thats Stage 2 protuned

[elambo]

I don't understand the salesman's reaction. I see no reason that a Monster would be an less eligible as a commuter. The Ferrari analogy is way off base.

[guido]

Hello

I've commuted on a ST4S for six years and 82k miles.
Down here in S. Texas we pretty much ride year 'round, and I couldn't imagine a better (read: more FUN!) way to make the 76 mile R/T to work and back every day.
The onlt two times I've been stranded were when a service guy who was comissioned to dyno-map a PCIII took it upon himself to "Replace that non-Ducati fuel filter in the tank (NAPA), and the hoses, too" which promptly came off the fittings 'cause he used the wrong hose and clamps.
I reolaced the hoses the first time, shame on me for not catching the clamps.

Anyway, the salesman must make better bank from the Kawi.

JMHO...

[AJLDuc]

You're going to be doing a lot of riding, which one puts a bigger smile on your face?
I've got an 1100 and commute 30 miles each way. 10K miles so far, I love it. I had a Sport 1000 before it and put 20K miles on that. Before that I had a Honda 919. The 919 was a great bike and reliable and all that, but I seriously doubt I'll find a mass produced bike with the same heart as a Ducati. There is a bond there that doesn't quite happen with the Jap bikes.

Who knows why the dealer said what he said. I think there is more wrong with owning a Ducati and not riding it.

Good luck!

[MrAlien]

I use my monster for commuting daily, I cant think of a better bike for it

[Barkertodd]

Originally Posted by MrAlien

I use my monster for commuting daily, I cant think of a better bike for it

Agreed except for those days when I commute with my hyper, then it's a reall toss up

Seriously though, monsters a great bike. I had a 650r that I put 9k miles on, traded it for my monster, and I'll never look back !

[tempest411]

You can commute in Ferrari too, no problem