Best Ducati Monster 600-800cc from 2000s?

[freelancer2011]

Hi All,

....So, I'm thinking about getting a nice, fun & reliable used one of the above as a winter hack / commuter bike (for sometime down the road).

Are there any Years I should miss? Anything I should pay particular attention to when viewing one?

And if I were to look at any of the models pre-2000s, any good ones about?

I know fuel-efficiency will be less than my F650 GS but if there's something half-way between frugal and a nice 'revvy' exhaust/engine would be awesome :O)

Cheers,
Lab.

 

[Little-Brit]

This is probably too late but...

I rather like my 2006 S2R 800.

The only mod I have made is to drop a tooth on the gearbox sprocket, standard gearing is way to tall.

Mine had a leaking fork seal when I bought it with 2000 miles on the clock!
Make sure the cam belts have been changed in the last two years and that the valve clearances have been checked at 6000 miles. The rest is just standard servicing stuff, it's actually quite a simple bike really.

I'm not sure I'd be looking to Ducati for a winter hack though, something with the Honda wing on it would be much more suitable in my opinion.