2009 696 w/ high miles or 2003 620? - Ducati Monster Forums: Ducati Monster Motorcycle Forum

J.Greer · 02-02-2012, 09:46 AM

I am on the verg of finally buying my dream bike, but I can't decide which way to go. I am stuck between an '09 696 with Tremi exhaust and an '03 620. Both are fairly close in price, although the 696 is a few hundred more. The reason I am torn is the '09 696 has pretty high miles, just over 27k mile (used as a commuter bike). The '03 620 has pretty low miles at about 10.5k. What scares me about the '03 is it only has one black key, red key was lost.

So my question is, which way would you roll? Both are in my price range. Should I be concerned with anything on the '09 with that high of miles?

I appreciate any advice and I look forward to joining the Monster community!

Vintagerider · 02-02-2012, 12:45 PM

Which one do you want?

Has the '09 been maintained?

J.Greer · 02-02-2012, 01:15 PM

Well I would love the 696 but I am just worried about the high milage. I just heard back from him and the bike does need a 7.5k mile service, other then that it is in good shape. I have both bikes at $3500 but the '03 620 has a recent full service, and only 10.5k miles. I guess I'm just worried about any issues a Monster may have once it gets up to those high miles like 27k.

philb · 02-02-2012, 06:44 PM

If the maintenance has been done, then that mileage is no problem. The Ducati 2V engine is well developed and pretty much bulletproof if reasonably maintained. I'd definitely take that over the 620, mainly because of the red key issue, which may never be a problem, but if it ever is, it becomes a big hassle and quite likely a big expense (like, up to $2K).

PhilB

Vintagerider · 02-02-2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philb

If the maintenance has been done, then that mileage is no problem. The Ducati 2V engine is well developed and pretty much bulletproof if reasonably maintained. I'd definitely take that over the 620, mainly because of the red key issue, which may never be a problem, but if it ever is, it becomes a big hassle and quite likely a big expense (like, up to $2K).

PhilB

Is this $2,000 key literally Red? Or is it the Key with the Red Sleeve around it when you pick up the bike?

65218 · 02-03-2012, 12:03 AM

I recently got an '09 696 with 77k miles on it. The only realy issue the bike had was the belt let loose and took out the verticle cylinder. I have since stripped the bike down to nothing and rebuilt it. the only issues I saw were from lack of cleaning and poor workmanship from the techs working on it. I have a suspicion that the belt adjuster was not torqued properly as well leading to the engine's demise, since it had the undamage belts still hanging off it when I got it. I stripped the engine to rebuild and all the internals were in great shape. I replaced all the bearings in the original case while i was in there so I could learn. I found a super low mileage motor with a cracked case to raid for a new cylinder, but I'm taking all the new internals too while I'm there. check it out here.http://www.ducati.org/forums/how-tos...wap-build.html

I'd say if the bike was serviced properly it's just fine, get the new one. Don't forget it's not just mileage but age that causes soft parts like plastic, seals, wiring insulation, and rubber to break down and fail. Take a piece of plastic and set it out in your back yard in the sun for a year and see how it fares. now heat it up over 200 deg and cool it off a couple times a day (like short trip driving) and stick it out in the weather. Just like your bike parts, Old and low mileage doesn't mean less failure.

philb · 02-03-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintagerider

Is this $2,000 key literally Red? Or is it the Key with the Red Sleeve around it when you pick up the bike?

I don't know that level of detail; my bike is older than that. But bikes of the "red key" era came with one red key and two black ones, and it is the red one that communicates with the electronics, including the security system. Certain problems require the red key to allow the bike to start and run, and without the red key, you could have to replace the instrument cluster/ECU, and that's expensive. I've heard from some people that some locksmiths can take the black key and make effective copies without the red key, but I've also heard mixed reviews of how well that works. I've heard the ECU can be reflashed without the immobilizer circuit, whcih means it doesn't have to be replaced and thus saves you money, but then you don't have the security system anymore.

So, me, if I was buying a bike of that era, I would only buy one that had all the keys.

PhilB

JTP · 02-03-2012, 11:54 PM

first i'm surprised on 03 620 and 09 696 are even that close in pricing... are you within driving distance to check out the bikes?

i'd go for the 696, like stated above if the maintenance is good. and i'd also 2nd the opinion that with out the red key, you could run into an expensive headache later on.

Vintagerider · 02-09-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philb

I don't know that level of detail; my bike is older than that. But bikes of the "red key" era came with one red key and two black ones, and it is the red one that communicates with the electronics, including the security system. Certain problems require the red key to allow the bike to start and run, and without the red key, you could have to replace the instrument cluster/ECU, and that's expensive. I've heard from some people that some locksmiths can take the black key and make effective copies without the red key, but I've also heard mixed reviews of how well that works. I've heard the ECU can be reflashed without the immobilizer circuit, whcih means it doesn't have to be replaced and thus saves you money, but then you don't have the security system anymore.

So, me, if I was buying a bike of that era, I would only buy one that had all the keys.

PhilB

Thanks.

I recall them mentioning something about the key communicating with the anit-theft device. For a second I thought I had misplaced my red key. But I'm not sure that I even need one for my model year.

65218 · 02-09-2012, 04:52 PM

I just got an 06 s2r1k, I had to use the red key and go through the code process with the throttle and CEL after I changed the battery to get it to start. The key is actually red with a blue plastic sleeve on the blade, there should also be a card with the code numbers on it. The '09 and newer just use the code card. You can roll the dice, but all in all, the newer bike is your best bet. handles better, I think its build better after tearing apart both generation bikes, and all the seals are years newer. Ride them both, it's a striking difference.