Okay, so the mini-Monster hasn't got the grunt of its bigger bro's. But if you haven't got loads of cash and want an intro to Bologna's finest, then this is the bike for you.
And if most of your riding is around town or commuting on city rat runs, then the 600 is a better choice than the 900 thanks to its sweet clutch. It's also cheaper to insure, and you'll get around 45mpg.
Introduced in 1994, the M600 takes its engine from the Super Sport 600, which is actually lighter than the Monster. But because the Monster is geared down it is quicker off the line.
You can really enjoy the handling when you get on fast B roads in the country - the frame design was pinched from the WSB championship-winning 851 and 888 racers. Only on long motorway hauls will you really notice that there's only 51bhp at the end of the twistgrip.
Ducati introduced the Monster 600 Dark in 1998 - a snip at £500 less than £5500 standard Monster. The only difference is the mat black paint job, and the lack of a colour co-ordinated seat cowl. It was such a strong seller that Ducati dropped the standard 600 Monster for 1999.
The M600 is a bargain bike, but look carefully before you buy. The petrol tank is the same as on the 900 and a new one will cost over £700. The cam belt needs replacing every 12,000 miles - expect to pay £400 for the full service. Make sure any bike you are looking at has a full service history before you hand over your cash.
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