Ducati Monster 696 - Buying advice please

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Hi guys. We're looking at a Ducati Monster 696 for my wife to take her DAS on. We done a lot of research and found they're the lowest seat height bike you can get that meets the criteria for the practical test, it's 770mm and actually there are a number of other bikes with the same seat height but of all the 770mm bikes the 696 is the lightest at only 185kg wet so probably going to be the easiest bike to learn on for a short-arse like my wife. Also a 30mm lowering kit is available for the 696 which we will probably do.

Anyway the only thing that's putting me off about getting a Ducati is the desmodromic valves. Truth is ongoing maintenance probably isn't going to be an issue for us as we're likely to sell it straight after she passes (as she wants a Rebel 500 but can't take her test on that unless she only goes for an A2 licence). So not going to be putting hardly any miles on the bike realistically. But are there any Ducati experts out there who can give me some tips on what to look out for when viewing a bike? Are bad valves generally an issue and something to look out for? Are there any telltell signs or noises I should be looking out for?

Bike age we're looking at likely to be roughly 2008 to 2010 and mileage roughly 15k to 30k. Ish!
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2014 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

[Islander]

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Great advice. Thanks. Do you know roughly what the belt change intervals are?
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2014 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

2 years / 15k?
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

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Ok well apparently the belts have just been done on one I've just put a deposit on so long as they have the paperwork, fingers crossed!

Thanks guys!
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2014 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

[Islander]

[Easy-X]

What's your wife's name? Thumbelina?! Good choice on the Rebel BTW
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Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[A100man]

I met a fly-weight girl on one of those yesterday - looks nice. and as you say light. She was very happy with it.
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Now: A100, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Robby]

Will the school let her do her DAS on her own bike? Seems like you'd be better off finding a school with a suitable DAS training bike for her.

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So we bought the Duck from someone local, got a good price on it for the age and mileage plus it was in the same town so bonus!

One thing though, the clutch seems to be all or nothing which is slightly worrying as it's intended for my wife to learn and do her test on. I think it's a hydraulic clutch, can these be adjusted in any way? Would be nice if letting the clutch out could be a bit more progressive, at the moment you gradually let the lever out and it's like... nothing... nothing... nothing... nothing... nothing... SHIT WE'RE AWAY!!! Was pouring with rain when I went to collect it, nearly threw me off the bike just pulling out of the bloke's driveway but not sure if this is normal for the bike or whether it's something that can be adjusted???

Also dumb question maybe but are these 696s carb or injector?
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2014 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

[arry]

Fuel injected.

The monster's get a lot of stick for having grabby clutches but it's usually just in first.

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[arry]

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[arry]

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I'll do that. It's actually going to a bike mechanic on Tuesday to have the lowering plate fitted to the suspension so I'll ask him to have a look.

Thanks arry. I really appreciate your input!

Have a peaceful day.
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2014 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

[Islander]

If you can't improve the clutch action with lever adjustment or bleed/fluid change, then Oberon do an aftermarket slave cylinder that's supposed to make the action a lot smoother.

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