Skorpion Traveller VS Ducati Monster Dark 600

[Namikuz]

Well, I was really pleased afew days ago as I went on a "leisurly" 1st group ride of the year. The participents are as follows. Ducati 996, Ducati Monster Dark 600, Yamaha R6 and my Skorpion. I was invited to give the Duc 600 someone to beat up on( ) So we headed up in to the Uinta mountains. The Gent with the 996 had scoped out the roads we were going to the day before. Nice easy cruise up to see how things looked. Nice. had lunch in Heber and headed back out for a bit more ROBUST ride down the Mtn. Right off, the 996 and R6 are GONE BABY GONE!!! and the 600 Monster is pulling on me above 50mph. To that point, a good scrap!!! THEN.... twisties... Now we were NOT going in 10/10s, as we agreed, ya know, wanting to live and all. But the 'lil Duc kept getting in my way comming out of the turns. I'm in under brakes slow down, apex, throttle on and out. The Duc is the oppisite, Fast in.... BRAKES!!!!!! back on power. Well, he let me by, I couldn't out accelerate him.... So he let me by. Now we're having some fun!!! I gave all my concentration to my line and being smooth. As the road tightened, I put distance on the 'lil Duc. I always knew he was there, LOUD!!!!! Man dems is some lod PIPES!!! We scrambled around for awhile and caught up to the other two, PARKED and already consuming beverages. We all shared our likes and thought on how the ride went, some bench racing ect...So we headed the rest of the way down and well........ The road had a bit of a washed out /over? section that was not there on the way in. I was in lead and hit the mess, had to box slide the Skorp and headed towards to shoulder, The 600 Monster lowsided and the other 2 managed to slow and stop. Mother nature WILL BITE'CHA!!! Dave was fine, went down about 35 in a 35 and was a bit scuffed through his leathers. We set about picking the Monster up and acessing the damage. not good. Loosing fluids, scuffed up, body work trashed. I feel for him.
We went and got my Explorer with my trailer and retrieved the 'lil Duc. On the way down, Dave asked what I had done to the Skorp and some other technical spec stuff. His jaw dropped when I told him NOTHING but an M4 slip on. He had Termignoni carbonfiber slipons and "some tuning".
Other than acelleration, they were a really good match. We have VERY different riding styles, but I thought the Duc would have been pulling all over. Dave is an accompliched track and street rider, so I was pleased. Now on the open road, The monster pulled fairly easily.
So with abit of cam, compression, MILD head work and a raised rpm limit to match the rest....... Could EASELY be a Monster eater!!!! (or SV650?)
Had a nice time with some good people and a sad ending.....

[edfmaniac]

Sweet! Well, bad for the Ducati rider, but good to see the Skorpion living up to it's reputation as a very capable bike in the tight twisties.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i like the 600 dark
took one for a test drive a couple years ago and found the bike to respond well
but the ride was way to harsh and stiff for the way i use a bike

dave

[arry_b]

At one point a few years ago, I had a 600 Monster, a GPZ500 and a Traveller at the same time.

I've still got the Traveller, 'nuff said.

[Namikuz]

At one point a few years ago, I had a 600 Monster, a GPZ500 and a Traveller at the same time.

I've still got the Traveller, 'nuff said.

I'm actually thinking about selling the BIG Suzi 1100. The traveller is a better 2 up bike and I will opt for the MZ over the heavy, but OH so fast Suzi every time.... YIKES!!!! am I growing up, at 50 years old!!!!!
Couple pic's from a trip from Salt Lake City Utah through Reno Nevada, up to Susansville Ca to catch AND ride the FAMOUS Ca. State RT36 to Eurika California and up to Florence Oregon along the coast on the Hwt101/Hwy1. 1136 miles. Soooo glad I had the Sargent seat on that trip!!! Would have been more enjoyable on the Traveller I think. I went solo on my Suzi and my brother was on his M50 Suzuki Boulavard.
CLICK on the pic to ENLARGE.

[Namikuz]

Just thought I'de update. The insurance tried to total the Monster Dark. But Dave stuck to his guns and convinced his insurance that the "Dark" was a limited edition Monster and thy kicked up the value. So YIPPIE FOR DAVE!!!!!! he should be back at it on the Monster in a week or so. (MAN THAT THING WAS LOUD!!!!!) He has an Aprillia and a Duc 750 also. Not like he has not been riding!!!