As long as you're happy 

... and remember - there are about 7,000 threads about accessories & mods here. Anything you need to improve, change, upgrade and/or make pretty is covered by members over the years.

The vast majority of parts for the 695 are same as or interchangeable with '02 to '08 Monsters, and some parts are interchangeable back to the start in '94.

Thanks for the tips guys!
Legends.. 

Ok so I finally did the deed - sold the MV  

It went to a collector who is going to drain it and put in his office as a showpiece.
Each to their own I guess..

Now the hunt for the 796 begins in earnest..

Quote from: Ken Masters on April 11, 2018, 02:07:40 AM
Ok so I finally did the deed - sold the MV  

It went to a collector who is going to drain it and put in his office as a showpiece.
Each to their own I guess..

Now the hunt for the 796 begins in earnest..

But I'm biased.    Same geometry as the 1100 EVO BTW. ABS isn't bad either. Not really intrusive.

Sounds like the OP is going with the 796...

But FWIW, I own a 695 and love it.  I live in the US and have been able to find new and used parts easily on ebay locally and from around the world.  Plus a lot of monsters parts from 2008 and earlier fit so the part doesn't always need to come from a 695

I have had zero issues on the 695 riding in the wet and never hesitate to ride when it is raining.

The bike has 124,444 miles on her.  Mostly from weekend trips and commuting. Less miles canyons rides and track days.

I have never ridden the 796. I briefly thought of trading for one but like the full length trellis frame.  If my current 695 caputs I would buy another 695 in a heartbeat.  Only other bike I would consider is a 2008 monster tricolore.  

Thanks for the input guys!
I'm really struggling to find a 695 near me to have a look at.
I must say I am leaning towards a 796 for the added power - I test drove a 797 and I could live with it I guess although I did like the ducati scrambler icon I rode the same day more! Out of my budget though.
Scrambler was fun and nippy in the city but the monster felt smooth and more sporty.

I found this on fleabay which is the colour I'm after plus has the arrow cans on:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-DUCATI-M796-MONSTER-12596-MILES-FULL-SERVICE-HISTORY-RECENT-TIMING-BELTS/263591013210?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D50981%26meid%3Ddccee9dc24d64d1f88f8b9e0e4fd4097%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D263591013210%26itm%3D263591013210&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aed90d8a2-3e62-11e8-aab9-74dbd180e617%7Cparentrq%3Aba63ca101620ab1c986af641fffafa13%7Ciid%3A1

What do you guys think? Anything jump out at you?

For me, the bike looks like it has contis on the back and a battleax tyre on the front and it has more miles on it than I would like ideally but that's not a deal breaker. I left a message on their line as I want to find out exactly how recently the belts were changed.
Anything else I should be asking?

Thanks

Full service history, pipes and recent timing belts are good points. How recent is a fair question.  Check that service book. Pay attention to the paint around the steering head for signs of past crash damage and look for signs of good care and attention by a fastidious owner or not.  Look out for items that just technically pass inspection like chain, sprockets, pads, discs, etc that will come up for replacement soon as bargaining points. Try and get a matching tyre thrown into the deal.

Looks good in the pics.

No experience with the other model, but my 695 (bought new in 2007) has provided loads of fun and many upgrade adventures!

BK

Mint!

Wow BK - that is a very beautiful bike..

OK guys so I found this bike, don't shoot me as I know it isn't a 695 or a 796:

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/ducati/monster-620/7707032/

The mileage is very low so have asked for an Mot pic as well as when the belts were last done, have also asked for details around the cat d as it looks like the trellis and the fuel tank have been painted.

I'm a little concerned about the bubbling on the engine block - is this something I can fix myself without taking the bike apart? I was thinking to brush the hell out of it, get rid of rust and spray with heat resistant spray eg Sperex VT..

What do you think? Anything else I should be asking beyond service history, tyres etc ?
Thanks

Previous owner says belts are due by time, so you need belts.  Ducati engine paint ain't the best.  Rust?  The cases are aluminum What to do about it depends how fussy you are.  Get the bike inspected by a pro.  The 620 is a great bike, particularly for local running.

Frame and footpeg assemblies have been painted, they didn't come that color originally.

I'm pretty sure 620's never came with aluminum swingarms either.

I approve of this purchase. 

+1 on getting it checked out.  You'd be buying someone else's project.

Exhaust could be loud, if that matters to you.

The bubbling paint on the engine cover could just be poor prep, etc. and is easily fixed.  Hopefully the frame was done more carefully and the paint is in better shape!

BK